In a previous post, I talk about a woman that came to my church about a year ago. She got up to speak at our Fast and Testimony meeting. She shared about how she was reading in the scriptures to find strength. She came upon the story of the disciples in the ship where Peter walks on water.

The ship was in the midst of the sea being tossed with waves and high winds. The disciples were really struggling during this storm. Then they saw a figure in the midst. They were afraid. Jesus called to them saying “Be of good cheer; it is I; Be not afraid.”

Peter answer, “Lord, if it be thou, bid me come unto thee on the water.” And Jesus said, “Come”. Peter got out of the boat and started to walk to Jesus. On the water. This woman stopped here and said that the scripture says that Peter saw the wind. (Matthew 14:30) She said, you can’t see the wind. You can see the things the wind moves, the damage that it can do, but you cannot see the wind.

She explained that she thinks that Peter saw the forces of the destruction around him and his faith wavered. That is when he started to sink.

This last week, we had an unexpected rain storm. It had been a really windy week, and standing inside my home and looking outside, I could see the wind. I even said it out loud, “I can see the wind!”

Immediately, my mind recalled her testimony. I could now understand how Peter “saw” the wind. Outside of my window, I could see the beautiful and majestic dance that the raindrops made as it swirled around in the powerful wind. From inside my home, it seemed beautiful. I know that if I was out in this rain and wind, I would have felt the complete opposite.

To be out in this storm would feel stressful and overwhelming. I wouldn’t be able to see, for the wind would thrust the rainwater into my eyes constantly, I would be wet and cold, it would be hard to breath not just from the wind but also from the rainwater, I would feel helpless as this storm raged around me.

For some people, they are currently standing in the midst of a storm with great winds that makes the way the storm seem frightening. It is big, it is powerful, it has brought a sense of helplessness. This is when I want you to remember what happened with Peter in the scriptures:

Matthew chapter 14: 30-31 “But when he saw the wind boisterous, he was afraid; and beginning to sink, he cried, saying, Lord, save me. And immediately Jesus stretched fourth his hand, and caught him, and said unto him, O thou of little faith, wherefore didst thou doubt?”

I emphasized some words and I want to go over them with you. Peter saw the wind boisterous: Peter saw the effects the wind was having on all that was around him and became afraid. He forgot in his fear that the Lord of miracles was right there with him and he was even walking on water in that moment, evidence of miracles that he could partake of with Christ.

I also emphasized beginning to sink. It was when he began to sink that he called out to Christ for Him to save him. How often do we let ourselves almost drown before we even think of calling out to our Savior for saving? I know I have done this. Sometimes because it didn’t even cross my mind until things were desperate. Other times, pride kept me from doing it. I have now developed a habit of going to Christ as quickly as possible when I feel myself begin to sink.

And lastly, I just wanted to point out that Christ immediately stretched forth his hand and caught hold of Peter. Sometimes this doesn’t always look like how we want it to look, but it does happen, He is there.

Recently, I have been praying and fasting to have help with being a better and more loving parent. This was around the time of my previous post where I talk about how my Heavenly Parents gently showed me that I could do better and then showered me with love. They were teaching me how to talk with my children about something they need to improve and then shower them with my love.

One day last week, a few things happened in the morning that caused me to feel great anger at some of my kiddos. I was holding it in and driving to an appointment with two of the kids. I pray a lot in the car, it is one of my favorite places to talk with my Father in Heaven. I was thinking to Him how can I parent in a more celestial way with all of this anger inside of me? I don’t remember exactly what else I said, but I remember that right after I had these thoughts, my anger left my body from the top of my head and down and out through my extremities.

It was the most amazing experience. I cannot explain it more than to say, that I called out to my Father in Heaven for help and He answered me immediately. The anger wasn’t replaced with peace or love, but it was completely removed from me.  I was so surprised that I even tried to remember how angry I was just seconds ago and I could not recreate it. It was indeed a miracle; a tender mercy from my Father in Heaven.

I know that when we call out to Them for help right when we begin to sink, or even when were about to be completely immersed under the water, They will come to the rescue. They will send angels to attend us. I have seen this play out again and again in my life. Can you think of a time They have rescued you? If you cannot, pray to have Them help you recall a time. They are so much more involved in your daily life than you think.

Going back to the day I was watching this powerful storm outside of my window; I thought about the world that we currently live in. There are so many powerful forces of destruction in the world. There are also many powerful forces of good and righteousness out there. Which one are you feeling surrounded by right now in your life? I know that I find myself surrounded by both.

Some days, I read too much news and it brings my spirits down drastically. I’ve decided that from now on, whenever I read something that makes my heart feel sad or I feel helpless, I need to feed my soul in an uplifting way.

I used to do this by trying to watch funny shows that would lighten my spirits with laughter, but it wasn’t enough; It would not sustain me. Now, I find that sustenance in the searching the scriptures, and the words of the prophets. When I immerse myself in the words and teachings of Jesus Christ, my cup is filled in a way that helps me put on my spiritual armor that protects me throughout the day.

My friend, I don’t know what the winds are doing in the storms that you are seeing around you, but I want you to know that Jesus Christ is never so far away that you cannot call on Him to rescue you. There are so many examples in the scriptures of this. Sometimes, He will want you to meet him halfway. He will ask you to put some effort into the deliverance you are asking for. So, if the rescue doesn’t come immediately, ask in prayer what you need to do to meet him. Something will come to your mind and it will be exactly what you need to do.

This has happened to me many times and it is so easy to think that it is my own thoughts and not trust that the inspiration is coming from God. This is where proceeding forward in faith comes in. Acting in faith is usually all that They require; it is enough for Them to come in and join you to make that miracle happen.

Keep your focus on Christ, the storm is only temporary.