Pastor Rick Warren
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When You Feel You’re Sinking - Part 1
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Pastor Rick Warren
Five Things to Do in a Storm

“But when [Peter] saw the wind, he was afraid and, beginning to sink, cried out, ‘Lord, save me!’” Matthew 14:30 (NIV)

When you’re going through a storm, God is not distant or uninvolved. He is with you, and he is working in your life for your good. 

If you feel like you’re sinking in a storm, here are five things God wants you to do:

Have courage, because Jesus is with you.
Don’t ever argue with a fear. Just send it straight to Jesus! 

Take a risk in faith.
Don’t ask God to bless what you are doing. Instead, do what God is blessing. Ask him what he wants you to do, and then be willing to do it with him.

Stay focused on Jesus.
The moment you take your eyes off the Lord, you’re going under. Matthew 14:30 says, “But when [Peter] saw the wind, he was afraid and, beginning to sink, cried out, ‘Lord, save me!’”  (NIV). If you focus on the wind and the waves—your circumstances—you’re going to sink, just like Peter.

Don’t doubt.
You don’t need great faith to make it through the storm in your life. You just need faith in the right person—Jesus Christ.

Praise God.
Even in the storm, even when you feel like you’re sinking, even when you’re scared to death—praise him all the time. Thanking God is how you make it through.

What storm is scaring you right now? What storm is sinking you? Why do you think God is letting you go through this storm?

He’s letting you go through this storm for the same reasons he sent the disciples into the storm. He wants you to know: “I’m all you need. I can handle anything. And I’ll come walking on the very thing that scares you the most. I’m not asking you to come to me. I’m going to come to you.”

If you feel like you’re sinking today, don’t fear. Just call out to Jesus. You’ll find he’s with you.

Talk It Over
  • What storm do you need to turn over to Jesus today?

  • How have you grown in your understanding of God because of a past storm in your life?

  • What can you do to limit the distractions that keep you from focusing on God?

 

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