by Amber Palmer
The water started to come up to my ankles and the boat I was in was struggling to stay afloat. Slowly I began sinking deeper and deeper into the murky waters. A mixture of sweat and tears poured from my face as I fought to hold it all together. The storm swirling around me, crashing into my boat brought a great deal of pain and anxiety to the overwhelming waves crashing into me, pushing me into directions I didn’t want to go.
Heavy with despair I cried out from the mess I was in and reached out to the Lord, only then realizing he was in the boat with me all along. The storm was a rough one but I had been making it worse by trying to control it with my own strength and by taking my eyes off of Jesus. I let the world distract me from my power source and let the lie that I was in control, run my heart.
“And he awoke and rebuked the wind and said to the sea,
“Peace! Be still!” And the wind ceased, and there was a great calm.”
Mark 4:39
Although I have never been in a sinking boat situation literally, figuratively speaking, motherhood has left me feeling overwhelmed by the storms and rough seas that it can bring. I have read Mark 4:39 plenty of times but recently as I read over this verse, I had a visual of myself in a boat and sinking from the heavy weight of the storms in my life.
I could see myself trying with all my might to control everything and working harder in my own strength to try to keep everything afloat but finding myself sinking deeper into despair.
With just three words, Jesus brought a great calm to the storms and to the disciples in the boat with Him.
The wind ceased and everything was still. Jesus can provide us with the same great calm and peace in our hearts in the middle of our own storms. He wants us to go to Him with our hands open, trusting He has everything under control.
When life hits us with the wind, waves, and rain, we can find peace in Jesus and remain steadfast in Him.
Oh friends, how wonderful is this news? It is truly the good news our heart needs to hear.
Jesus reminds us in John 16:33 that the world will bring us trials and sorrow but He will bring us peace. Heavenly peace isn’t based on our circumstances. The peace Jesus talks about isn’t fleeting or only attainable when everything around us is going smoothly.
We find peace when we have an understanding that the rain clouds often bring the rainbow we’ve been waiting for. Peace happens when we have faith that there is beautiful hope ahead.
In Him our peace of mind, the peace in our heart, and the peace in our soul, is ALWAYS there.
So sweet mom, the next time motherhood steals your peace and overwhelms your soul, remember Jesus wants us to keep our eyes on Him and not the storms surrounding us. Simply breathe in, “peace,” and breath out, “be still” and let His great calm pour over you.
Amber is a wife of thirteen years and an easily overwhelmed mom of two kiddos. She has a big heart for encouraging moms and helping them keep their eyes locked on Jesus. Through her writing, Amber hopes to glorify Jesus in the broken pieces and beautiful moments of motherhood.
Connect with Amber:
Website: https://myjarsofclay.home.blog/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/myjarsofclay4
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/myjarsofclay/
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