Summer At Sea: Week 7 Day 6

Jonah 1: 13-16

13 Instead, the men did their best to row back to land. But they could not, for the sea grew even wilder than before. 14 Then they cried out to the Lord, “Please, Lord, do not let us die for taking this man’s life. Do not hold us accountable for killing an innocent man, for you, Lord, have done as you pleased.” 15 Then they took Jonah and threw him overboard, and the raging sea grew calm. 16 At this the men greatly feared the Lord, and they offered a sacrifice to the Lord and made vows to him.

Last Spring, I became very ill and eventually found out I have a chronic illness. Some of the symptoms I endured felt like a storm inside my body and brain, and while going through this, I asked, “God, why are you putting me through this?”  It felt so unfair. Although it was a trying time, I learned more than ever to turn to God and lean on him.

In the above verses, the men on the boat learn to turn to God during the storm. They begin this story praying to their own gods, but through Jonah, they learn of the God of the land and the sea, and they learn to turn to the one true God. This hardship introduced them to the God who could save their lives physically and eternally.

Sometimes when life brings us through one of the biggest storms, our faith grows tenfold. I have met others who have turned to God and been saved through some of the worst moments of their life. The next time life brings you to your knees, turn to God to help you, to give you peace, and steer you in the right direction. The amount of peace it brings you will be indescribable.