Ask God: How strong is your faith? In Matthew 14, Jesus teaches an important lesson to believers: Troubles will strengthen your faith when you keep your eyes fixed on Jesus. If life had no challenges, you would have no reason to grow in faith. Sometimes, God provides the trials for growth of our faith.

Good Evening Reader,

For without faith, it is impossible to please Him (Hebrews 11:6). The Hebrew writer knew that faith is critical to our walk with Jesus. Let us strive to grow in faith. Remember, our faith grows when we exercise the faith we have.

God Bless.

Elvin

Exercising Faith in Life’s Storms

Introduction: Is God Aware of Your Storm?

Storms are a normal part of life. Every believer will face moments when circumstances feel overwhelming. Problems arise that we did not expect. Plans fall apart. Fear tries to replace faith. During these times, people often ask an important question. Where is God in the middle of the storm?

The Bible gives a powerful answer through the account of Jesus walking on the water. This story is recorded in Matthew 14:22–33, Mark 6:45–52, and John 6:16–21. The disciples were crossing the Sea of Galilee when a strong wind began to blow. Waves crashed against the boat, and the journey became difficult. Yet this storm did not occur because the disciples were disobeying God. In fact, Jesus Himself had told them to get into the boat and go to the other side.

This event teaches believers an important lesson about faith. Sometimes God allows storms in our lives so that our faith can grow stronger. He watches over His children, and when they call on Him for help, He comes to their rescue.

Psalm 23 describes this truth beautifully. “Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me” (Psalm 23:4). The Shepherd does not abandon His sheep in the valley. He walks with them through it.

Let us look at three important lessons about exercising faith in the storms of life.

Sometimes God Sends Us Into the Storm

One surprising detail in this story is that Jesus instructed the disciples to enter the boat and go to the other side of the lake. They were following His direction when the storm began. This shows that difficulties do not always mean we are doing something wrong. Sometimes challenges appear while we are walking in obedience.

Storms often stretch the limits of our faith. God uses them to help believers grow stronger and learn to depend on Him.

A good illustration of this principle comes from the life of the Christian leader George Müller, who operated orphanages in England during the 1800s. One morning, the housemother told him that there was no food in the orphanage. Hundreds of children were sitting at the breakfast tables, but there was nothing to give them.

Instead of worrying, Müller asked the children to pray and thank God for the food that He would provide. Shortly after the prayer ended, there was a knock at the door. A baker felt led during the night to bake bread for the orphanage and deliver it the next morning. Soon afterward, a milkman knocked at the door. His cart had broken down outside the orphanage, and he offered the milk to the children before it spoiled.

What seemed like a crisis became a powerful moment of faith. God allowed the situation to stretch their trust in Him, and then He provided exactly what was needed.

Sometimes God allows storms because He is teaching us to trust Him more deeply.

God Sees Us Even When We Feel Alone

When the disciples were struggling against the wind, Jesus was not physically in the boat with them. Yet the Gospel of Mark tells us something very encouraging. “He saw them straining at rowing, for the wind was against them” (Mark 6:48).

Even from a distance, Jesus knew exactly what they were facing. He saw their effort. He saw their struggle. He knew when the storm had reached its most difficult moment.

This truth gives great comfort to believers today. There may be times when we feel as if we are rowing alone against the wind. Problems at work, family struggles, health concerns, or financial pressures can feel overwhelming. Yet God never loses sight of His children.

Psalm 23 reminds us that the Lord is our Shepherd. A shepherd carefully watches over the sheep in his care. When danger appears, the shepherd moves toward the sheep to protect them.

In the same way, Jesus came to the disciples when they needed Him most. He walked across the water toward their boat during the darkest part of the night. The disciples were frightened at first because they did not recognize Him. Then Jesus spoke words that still encourage believers today.

“It is I; do not be afraid” (John 6:20).

Those words remind us that God’s presence brings peace even in the middle of life’s storms.

Faith Grows When We Trust Jesus in Our Storms

One of the most memorable moments in this story happens when Peter speaks to Jesus. Peter says, “Lord, if it be You, command me to come to You on the water” (Matthew 14:28).

Jesus answers with a single word. “Come.”

Peter steps out of the boat and begins walking on the water toward Jesus. For a moment, he experiences something miraculous. Yet when Peter notices the strong wind and waves, fear replaces faith, and he begins to sink.

Immediately, Peter cries out, “Lord, save me.”

Jesus reaches out His hand and lifts him up.

This moment shows both the challenge and the beauty of faith. Faith allows believers to step beyond what feels safe. But when fear enters our thinking, we begin to sink spiritually. The good news is that Jesus does not abandon His followers when their faith struggles.

Another story illustrates this principle in a powerful way. During the Antarctic expedition of Ernest Shackleton in 1914, his ship became trapped and crushed by ice. The crew was stranded in one of the most dangerous environments on earth.

For months, the men endured freezing temperatures, hunger, and violent storms. Shackleton eventually led a small group across hundreds of miles of open ocean in a lifeboat to find help. Against incredible odds, every member of the expedition survived.

Many observers later noted that the men survived because they continued moving forward and refused to give up hope even during the worst conditions.

In the same way, believers must continue trusting God when storms arise. Faith does not ignore the storm. Faith keeps its eyes on the One who controls the storm.

Summary: God is Always Near

The story of Jesus walking on the water teaches believers three important truths about faith.

First, storms sometimes come while we are obeying God. Difficult circumstances do not mean that God has abandoned us. Often, He is using those moments to strengthen our faith.

Second, God always sees His people in the middle of their struggles. Even when we feel alone, the Shepherd is watching over us and moving toward us.

Third, faith grows when we trust Jesus in the storm. Like Peter, we may experience moments when fear causes us to struggle. Yet when we call out to the Lord, He reaches out and lifts us up.

Storms are not the end of the journey. They are often the place where faith becomes stronger.

So when the winds of life begin to blow, and the waves rise around you, remember this truth. The same Jesus who walked on the water still watches over His people today. He sees your effort. He hears your prayers. And when you call on Him, He is ready to guide you safely to the other side.

Keep trusting Him. Your faith will grow and grow as God continues to work in your life.

Elvin

Ask God For

Christian faith

PS. Share your newfound knowledge with you friends.

Reader,

Hosea said his people were destroyed for lack of knowledge. Knowledge give believers and non-believers a choice. When a person does not know, they cannot choose.

Feel free to forward this lesson to your friends and family.

Grow in the knowledge of God.

Elvin

Send your comments to elvin@AskGodFor.com and let me know what you think of the lessons.

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