"Through many dangers, toils and fears, I have already come..." Crawford Loritts, at www.fbconline.org, talks about our struggles and our storms. These storms grow us and, in fact, Crawford wouldn't trust working under a leader with someone who hasn't been through storms. These storms come in many ways: 1) Failure - God will allow us to fail in order for us to succeed spiritually. But anytime we fail, we have to be sure to examine it in order to learn. 2) Personal Struggles 3) Suffering - things that come upon us. 4) Difficulties. Crawford points out the storm the disciples encountered out of nowhere when it seemed like everything would be fine. This is often like what we encounter in our lives. The storm fills the boat to the point where the disciples think it is going to sink! But JESUS WAS IN THE BOAT. Jesus wasn't disturbed, anguished or fearful. He was in control. When the disciples awake him, Jesus stands and looks at his creation and simply says, "Peace, be still". And immediately, the storm is calmed. Maybe this is what we need to hear in our own lives. Maybe he is telling us to not give dominion of our problems to other people, to our need to please or get approval or to our fears. Jesus stands and says, "Why do you fear? (Haven't you seen what I have done up to now?) "How is it that ye have no faith?" The greatest danger facing us today is not the storms we're in, it's the ABILITY TO BELIEVE. Don't fear the elements, God says, but fear me. Crawford references a saying, "The man who does not fear God ends up fearing everything."

Mark 4:4-41