A small rudder on a huge ship in the hands of a skilled captain sets a course in the face of the strongest winds. A word out of your mouth may seem of no account, but it can accomplish nearly anything—or destroy it! James 3:4–5 (MSG)  Do you know what really ticks Satan off? It’s when a servant of God knows how to control their tongue. The enemy understands just how powerful our words are. That’s why in good times and bad, it’s crucial that we actively manage what’s coming out of our mouths.  Today’s verses remind me of old pictures and films about sailors. When the sea would turn rough, the helmsman would literally tie himself to the ship wheel with rope. Why?  Because …

Jesus was matter-of-fact: “Embrace this God-life. Really embrace it, and nothing will be too much for you. This mountain, for instance: Just say, ‘Go jump in the lake’—no shuffling or hemming and hawing—and it’s as good as done.” Mark 11:22–23 (MSG)  I’ve noticed that many of us like to talk about the difficulties in our lives. Often, it’s because we receive sympathy and feel comforted as people identify with us.  Don’t get me wrong—I’m not saying it’s wrong to share what we’re going through with others. But as long as we’re just talking about storms, we’re not actually dealing with them.  Matthew 8:23-26 shows how Jesus dealt with storms. He didn’t talk about them; He spoke to them—a big difference! While crossing the lake with …

Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. Philippians 4:6 (NLT)  The world faces every trial and hardship with fear, anxiety and a negative confession.  Naturally, we all experience sadness when someone we love passes away or something terrible happens. But many people start grieving ahead of time, before anything bad has even happened, as though whatever outcome they’re worried about is already a done deal.  But the more you begin to grow in God’s Word and His wisdom, the less you’ll be afraid of the storms of life.  I remember witnessing this truth first-hand during my wife Sally’s first pregnancy. Early on, the doctor delivered the devastating news that he thought …

Get wisdom; develop good judgment. Don’t forget my words or turn away from them. Don’t turn your back on wisdom, for she will protect you. Love her, and she will guard you. Proverbs 4:5–6 (NLT)  Do you find the same storms keep showing up in your life? Sometimes it can be due to a lack of wisdom.  For example, we may point our finger at the devil for problems in our marriages when maybe we simply need to learn how to communicate more constructively.  Now, someone is likely thinking, “You’re telling me that I’m to blame for the storms in my life?” No, that’s not what I’m saying.  We can all agree that Jesus lived a perfect life, yet He had to deal with problems. …

A huge storm came up. Waves poured into the boat, threatening to sink it. And Jesus was in the stern, head on a pillow, sleeping! Mark 4:37–38 (MSG)  You can stay calm and at rest in the middle of hard times. How do I know?  Because Jesus was able to, and He is our example. Mark 4:35-41 tells how a violent storm whipped up as His disciples rowed across the lake. When fierce waves began to swamp the boat, the disciples panicked—but Jesus remained fast asleep and unbothered by the storm.  Why wasn’t Jesus concerned? I used to think, “It’s because He’s the Son of God. He had it easy.” However, Hebrews 4:15 says Jesus was tempted at all points just like you and me. …