Preparing for the Storm

And all the weather models suggest that it's going to be a doozie of a storm.  We will probably get hit with 7-10 inches of snow and high winds.

Today was a nice day.

I decided that it was important to prepare for the storm.

I went grocery shopping.

I made sure we have enough dog food for the duration of the storm.

I feel that it's possible I might be home for the next two days.

I don't know for sure, but I just want to be ready for what comes.

The person who cleans out my driveway won't come until the snow has quit flying.

I expect that to be sometime on the second day.

At any rate, I think I'm ready now,

thanks to the good day.

Spiritually, we have many storms.  These storms are caused by satan, and God allows them so that we might come closer to Him in the way He knows best.

Spiritual warfare is real.

We need to be prepared for the storms we will encounter, and we will be attacked in these storms.

What can we do to prepare?

At any time, in any place, in any weather, we can pray.

We can pray that we weather the storm and have faith knowing that God will be with us through this storm.  

He might ask us to trust Him and walk on the water as Peter did.

"Then he made the disciples get into the boat and precede him to the other side, while he dismissed the crowds.  After doing so, he went up on the mountain by himself to pray. When it was evening he was there alone.  Meanwhile the boat, already a few miles offshore, was being tossed about by the waves, for the wind was against it.  During the fourth watch of the night, he came toward them, walking on the sea.  When the disciples saw him walking on the sea they were terrified. “It is a ghost,” they said, and they cried out in fear.  At once [Jesus] spoke to them, “Take courage, it is I; do not be afraid.”  Peter said to him in reply, “Lord, if it is you, command me to come to you on the water.” He said, “Come.” Peter got out of the boat and began to walk on the water toward Jesus.  But when he saw how [strong] the wind was he became frightened; and, beginning to sink, he cried out, “Lord, save me!”  Immediately Jesus stretched out his hand and caught him, and said to him, “O you of little faith, why did you doubt?”  After they got into the boat, the wind died down. Those who were in the boat did him homage, saying, “Truly, you are the Son of God!"

Matthew 14: 22-23 

In our fear and doubt, we might ask for a sign like Peter did, even though Jesus had reassured Peter and the others in the boat, that He was, indeed, Jesus.  

At once [Jesus] spoke to them, “Take courage, it is I; do not be afraid.”  Peter said to him in reply, “Lord, if it is you, command me to come to you on the water.” He said, “Come.” 

 For a short time,  Peter trusted the Lord, and he stepped out on the water.  Then, he realized how strong the wind was.

But when he saw how [strong] the wind was he became frightened; and, beginning to sink,

In his fear, Peter cried out to the Lord, and the Lord, knowing Peter's lack of faith, saved him.

he cried out, “Lord, save me!”  Immediately Jesus stretched out his hand and caught him, and said to him, “O you of little faith, why did you doubt?”   

^{Even though we doubt,  Jesus will remind us to have faith.}

^{Jesus knows our weaknesses, and He still reaches out to us to save us with His graces.}

^{The miracle caused all in the vote to acknowledge Jesus as God.}

 ^{Those who were in the boat did him homage, saying, “Truly, you are the Son of God!"}

^{It took a miracle, but the Apostles learned.}

^{Jesus is the Son of God!}

^{So, as we prepare for the upcoming storms in our lives, we need to pray for the gift of Faith to know that God is with us and will never desert us.}

^{God is good!}