Typhoon Haiyan struck the Philippines on November 8, 2013, killing over six thousand people and over one thousand people missing. Thousands of people were left homeless by this massive hurricane.

The ferocious winds battered the Philippines at over 199 mph, and it stretched 372 miles wide (BBC News). It was said to be the most vicious storm that ever made landfall and its effect is still shaking millions in these coastal islands.

What if a hurricane even larger than that was to rage through the Caribbean? Will we all be prepared? How would we react: will we have panic attacks worrying about our family? Who can save us from such a devastating disaster?

The Bible tells a story of a time when the disciples were out at sea, and a massive storm struck. Now Jesus was asleep during the storm but was awaken by His terrified disciples.

Most people only focus on the point at which Jesus spoke to the winds and the waves, and they obeyed, but they forget that He was asleep while the storm raged.

Many of us are like that. We want God to come and calm our storms both natural and spiritual. But has it ever occurred to you that you can find peace during the storm?

The part of the story where Jesus slept through the storm represents ‘peace’. It was not that He did not notice the hurricane, but He knew the importance of peace within oneself even during stormy weathers. Instead of fear, anxiety, and worry that all storms and hurricanes bring, we need to have peace.

The words ‘peace be still’ are the very few words that I hold on to during my trying times. I can still hear those words echoing in my heart today as it did a few years ago when God spoke them into my ears while I was going through the crisis of separation.

During that time, the spirit of fear and loneliness bombarded my heart, and I was having panic attacks at night with the fear of death.

The Lord assured me that if He could calm the raging tide and send the billows back to their rest then why can’t He calm the storms of my fear, anxieties and worries.

My God is a God of everything for He created the seas and the mountains. He created the tempest and the storms, and He even created the spoiler that destroyed. Since God created the spoiler (Satan) who is our enemy, then it means that God controls the spoiler. Hence,

No weapon that formed against you will prosper and every tongue which rises against you in judgment, you shall condemn. This is the heritage of the servants of the Lord, and their righteousness is from me,” says the Lord. (Isaiah 54:16-17).

It does not matter how high is your mountain of pride, debts and troubles or how low is the valley of your finances; just leave them at the feet of Jesus and remain at peace while He calms the storms in your life.

Peace! Be Still and know that He is God!

The Lord taught me how to keep my mind and heart at peace during those turbulent years. It is a process that I wrote in the poem below. This poem also includes a few bible verses which when obeyed will ensure that your hearts and mind remained at peace.

When Christ is in your heart, and you obey His voice, no evil spirits can enter. Your mind also needs to be cleansed, and this can only be done by receiving the mind of Christ which is humility, obedience, and love.

Always think on the good and lovely things in life. Discard all the bad and negative stuff and let the God of PEACE enfold you in his arms.

Peace! Be Still!

PEACE! BE STILL!

I glimpsed a fleeting shadow moved swiftly among

The trees in the deep dark recess of night.

I knew not what it was so I became afraid.

I anticipated an impending doom from a violent tempest

And I dreaded the horror of the unknown, so I became terrified.

I imagined my life without a stable force to buffer

My depleting funds and I am filled with fright.

Amidst these threats of danger and harm whether real or imagined:

And above the howling of the mighty fearsome wind,

I heard my Master cried, “Peace! Be still!”

Heaven and Earth stood still at His command;

And my heart became ablaze with joy and gladness

When I recognized the familiar voice of my friend and Savior.

It is He who lives within my heart.

Spirit of fear! Spirit of anxiety! Terror in the night!

There is no entrance for you through the gateway of my heart.

It is blocked by the blood of Jesus Christ because

God has not given me a spirit of fear but of power and love and a sound mind.

My gates are only opened to righteousness and truth

So that the Lord will keep me in perfect peace when

My mind is filled with Him, and I trust in Him.

“For who hath known the mind of the Lord?

Or who hath been his counselor?

But we have the mind of Christ.”

“Let this (sound) mind, therefore, be in you,

Which was in Christ Jesus;

Who, being in the form of God

Thought it not robbery to be equal with God:

“But made himself of no reputation,

And took upon him the form of a servant,

And was made in the likeness of men:

And being found in fashion as a man,

He humbled himself and became obedient unto death,

Even the death of the cross.

“A humble mind is the mind of Christ.

So submit yourself one to another and be ye clothed in humility

For God resist the proud and gives grace to the humble.

Humble yourself under the mighty hand of God that he may exalt you in due time.

Let Christ renew your mind with his words of comfort because he said,

“My peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you;

Not as the world gives do I give to you.

Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.”

“Finally my brethren, whatsoever things that are true,

Whatsoever things that are honest,

Whatsoever things that are just and pure;

Whatsoever things that are lovely and of a good report;

If there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.

“And the peace of God which surpasses all understanding

Will guard your hearts and minds

Through Christ Jesus our Lord and Savior. AMEN.”

Mark 4: 35-41; Psalms 91; 2 Timothy 1:7; Is 26:2 -3; Romans 11:34; Phil. 2: 5 -8; 1 Peter 5:5 -6; John 14: 27; Phil. 4; 7-8.

Prepared by Beverly Wright (March 7, 2013)

Can you find peace in your storm? Do you trust the Lord to give you peace through a difficult situation? Share your thoughts with us in the reply box below.