Gò0dNews for Life More Than Get You Through the Storms of Life
“T
by Jonathon Wright
hat day when evening came, he said to his
that God can do more than just get us through the hardships
disciples, ‘Let us go over to the other side.’ Leaving
of this life. He blesses and enriches our lives through the
the crowd behind, they took him along, just as
struggles of this life—both now and forevermore. He works
he was, in the boat. There were also other boats with him. A
on our character to make us the people He has called us to be.
furious squall came up, and the waves broke over the boat, so
That is why the apostles were able to rejoice and take joy when
that it was nearly swamped. Jesus was in the stern, sleeping on
they faced hardships. That is why they could wait patiently,
a cushion. The disciples woke him and said to him, ‘Teacher,
trust God and weather any storm or test of faith.
don’t you care if we drown?’ He got up, rebuked the wind and said to the waves, ‘Quiet! Be still!” Then the wind died down and it was completely calm” (Mark 4:35-39). Jesus showed the disciples that He has the power to calm the raging seas. The disciples were scared out of their wits and thought they were going to die. At first, they thought Jesus did not care for them because he was resting in the front of the boat. They came to Him, and with just three words, the storm was gone. Following this, Jesus talked to them about their lack of faith. They did not do well on this test, but Jesus took care of it and kept working on them. Although James did not see this miracle, he and the other apostles, would witness the Resurrection and Ascension which helped them have unwavering faith. Because of this, James starts Verse 2 with a more optimistic attitude when facing tests of our faith. “Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever
I would like to close with testimony concerning some
you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the
things the Lord has done during the pandemic. The Lord
testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance
helped me get through some personal health issues which
finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not
helped me have a better appreciation for my family who stuck
lacking anything” (James 1:2-4).
by me. This helped me to be a better husband and father, as
What does it mean to count it all as joy? Romans 5:3-5 talks about rejoicing in tribulation which produces patience, which also produces experience—or what I would call
well as have a tremendously better attitude about my life. I feel like a completely different person. I am so thankful for the positive signs that this pandemic
encounters with God. These experiences then produce a hope
is moving away from us like a passing storm. I believe
that eliminates shame because the love of God is shed abroad
and pray that one day we will look back on this and tell
in our hearts by the Holy Spirit. 1 Peter 1:7 describes the
our children and grandchildren that we survived a global
process of testing our faith as more precious than gold because it
pandemic by the grace of God. Thank you, Jesus, that from
will result in praise, glory, and honor at the revelation of Jesus
beginning to end You are with us.
Christ or when Christ returns. giving praise to God for all the good things He was going to do in this life and the one to come. They are a great reminder
28 // August 2021
About The Author
These God moments were very special to them. They were
Jonathon Wright currently lives in Cleveland, Tennessee, and has been a member of the Church of God for about twenty years. He is a graduate of Lee University and Beacon University where he earned a BA and MA in Biblical Studies. He loves studying the Bible and has done so for over thirty years, but only now has God given him a desire and the opportunity to be a writer. He is currently beginning the process of writing a book on Genesis entitled, God’s Good Prophetic Plan: From Beginning to End.
