Thought # 32 - Is it a ghost?

It is I. Don’t be afraid! John 6.20

The twelve disciples were crossing the Sea of Galilee on a boat, at night and without Jesus. The Master did not go with them, He went to the mountain, to pray. Suddenly, a strong wind started to blow and the waves began to rise. The disciples were about five or six kilometers away from the shore and they saw Jesus walking on the water and approaching the boat. They became very afraid and, since they were in the middle of a storm, during the night, they did not recognize Him. Now, as if the storm wasn’t enough, a ghost!

Jesus comforts them and says, “It is I. Don’t be afraid!” They received Him into the boat and “immediately the boat was at the land where they were going.” (v. 21)

Notice that the storm came suddenly. Up to that moment, the disciples’ crossing was going well with no major problems. They were not expecting that change of the weather. Then, they found themselves in the middle of a storm at the sea. Sometimes, we depart towards a conquest and in the middle of our journey, we encounter unexpected adversities: the marriage was doing well, then, all of a sudden, a crisis starts. Finances and business were in full swing, then, out of nowhere, a setback rocks your little boat. You find yourself in the dark. And, to make matters worse, the “ghosts” — problem after problem — start to appear.

The disciples should remember, and we as well, that Jesus was on the mountain praying for them. He intercedes for us before the Father. If you are in the eye of the storm right now, He is not only praying for you, but also moving closer to your little boat to help you. In the darkest hour of the night, the most tempestuous sea, and even when ghosts start to appear, He is saying to you, “It is I. Don’t be afraid!”

Receive Him into your boat and you will soon get to your destination, unharmed.

Application: Do not focus on what is happening now, but on what will happen. Do not fill your heart with fear, but with faith. He is in your boat.

Have you gone through (or are you going through) an unexpected storm? Has the weather gotten bad for you? In a scenario like this, how could you react accordingly to the lesson above? What if every time you looked at the problem, you’d repeat these words of Jesus to yourself, “It is I. Don’t be afraid!”? Leave your comment.

source: www.renatocardoso.com