Have you ever thought that God wasn’t with you because you weren’t feeling like He’s there, because you feel like things are different and something isn’t right? Especially during this time we’re in right now, things are different, and things don’t feel right. The good news is our feelings do not dictate whether God is with us or not. Psalms 46:1 says, “God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.” We have the assurance from God’s word that He is with us at all times, but that doesn’t always get rid of those uneasy feelings we can have when we face the storms in our lives.

Our storms

One thing to remember is that God knows the storm. He knows all of our storms. Nothing will ever take God by surprise. He is not unaware of what we’re all facing right now. God is right there in this storm, just like He was when Peter walked on the water the midst of the raging sea. And just like Peter, we will sink when we focus on the storm, when we take our eyes off Jesus. The storm can’t calm the storm, only Jesus can do that. We need to focus on the answer, not the problem.

Desperation and panic

It can be difficult because our mind is Satan’s favorite place to hang out, and he will do it as long as we allow him to. Satan wants to confuse and frustrate us by putting thoughts of desperation and panic in our minds, by telling us we can have peace if we would only … fill in the blank. But the right way to fight against feelings of desperation and panic is by using the mighty weapon God has given us — the sword of the spirit, His word.

Find your life verse

How do we do that?  Find a life verse, a verse that is close to your heart and say it out loud over and over again.  Saying God’s word out loud tells the enemy you are aware of how to fight against him. We are in a war, we are warriors. That is why the Bible tells us to put on the whole armor of God so we will be able to stand against the wiles of the devil (Eph. 6:1).

Yes, we are in a storm, and it definitely feels like it too.  But instead of sinking, shift your focus to the only One who can calm the storm and give you peace. And when you have peace, you will be able to encourage others until their storm passes.