Life-Giving Words of Hope & Encouragement

We won’t understand everything that happens in life. There will be detours, delays, and even dead ends—moments when it feels like we’re stuck. It’s easy to feel discouraged when our plans fall through, frustrated by closed doors, or bitter towards those who hurt us. It’s as if we take one step forward only to move two steps back. However, God doesn’t always guide us in a straight line. It may not make sense to us, but God has a greater plan. He sees aspects we cannot. Sometimes, He may take us back to help us move forward, closing doors to encourage change. So, instead of focusing on the what today, try focusing on the Who and remember Whose you are.

God often uses trouble as transportation, so the question is: will we trust Him and remain faithful in these times? Will you stay in peace when things you don’t understand happen? In Mark chapter 6, after a long day of teaching, Jesus instructed his disciples to find food for the crowd in a desolate place. Lacking grocery stores and funds, the disciples said, “Jesus, that’s impossible; we can’t feed everyone.” Jesus asked what they had, and they replied, “We have five loaves and two fish.” Jesus prayed over the food, which miraculously multiplied, eventually feeding 5,000 men, plus women and children. They collected twelve baskets of leftovers, and just as they began to celebrate, Jesus instructed them to leave.

Mark 6:45 says, “Immediately after they gathered the 12 baskets, Jesus made the disciples get in the boat and head toward Bethsaida.” One translation reads, “He constrained them to get in the boat,” suggesting they were reluctant. They wished to remain in that blessed place, but Jesus compelled them to depart. He then ascended the mountains to pray. As the disciples crossed the Sea of Galilee that night, a fierce storm arose, with winds and waves raging. Verse 48 states, “They were in serious trouble.” Some of these men were seasoned fishermen skilled in navigating storms, but this situation significantly threatened their lives.

It’s important to recognize that Jesus directed them into the storm. He knew the challenges ahead, including the fear, uncertainty, and doubt they would encounter. However, He wouldn’t have sent them unless He believed they could overcome it. Sometimes, God removes us from our comfort zones, taking us away from a place of blessing where we experience His favor. It can feel confusing; you’ve just experienced God’s presence and seen His blessings, yet now you’re in a storm.

God wouldn’t have allowed the storm in your life if it would prevent your destiny. If that storm were going to stop your purpose, He would never have forced you in the boat. If that trouble would take you out, He would never have had you leave that place of blessing. God sent you across the lake because He has more incredible things in your future. God loves you too much to let you miss what He has in store.

The disciples were caught in a storm, desperately trying to keep the boat afloat. Just hours before, they had been celebrating a significant victory and enjoying themselves; now, they were battling for survival. I can hear them wondering, “What was Jesus thinking? Why did He tell us to embark on this journey across the lake? He surely knew a storm was coming!” Confusion and frustration filled the air. You won’t comprehend all of God’s decisions. Scripture reminds us, “His ways are not our ways.” Faith involves trusting when things don’t make sense, especially when God leads you away from a place of blessing into a turbulent storm that seems intent on overcoming you.

The disciples were filled with fear and anxiety when Jesus approached them, walking on the water. They mistook Him for a ghost and screamed in terror. In Mark 6:50, He said, “Don’t be afraid; I am here, and everything will be okay.” If you’re facing a storm today—perhaps in your health, finances, or relationships—you might feel anxious and unable to sleep. When the storm is all around you, you mustn’t let the storm get inside of you. God assures you, “Everything will be okay. I’m right by your side, and I wouldn’t have led you into this storm unless you could endure it.” So, be still and recognize that He is God. He hasn’t let you down before and won’t start now.

Jesus walked over and got in the boat with the disciples. Interestingly, He didn’t stop this storm. He didn’t speak to the waves and the wind like He had done before. He didn’t say, “Peace, be still,” and everything calmed down. This storm had to run its course. The disciples were headed toward Bethsaida, but the winds were so strong that they blew them to another city. Verse 53 says, “They arrived at Gennesaret on the other side of the lake.” It wasn’t a mistake that the winds blew them somewhere else. Bethsaida was a desert place; it was barren land and wasn’t fertile. But the storm blew them to Gennesaret, a flourishing paradise, the most beautiful area in Galilee.

If the storm still rages in your life, it hasn’t fulfilled its purpose. Trust that God is in control and has your best interests at heart. The winds won’t lead you to a barren place but to Gennesaret, a place of abundance. The storm is a setup: closed doors, delays, and departures are moving you to something greater. The enemy whispers doubts, but don’t believe those lies. You’re in this storm because you’re destined for Gennesaret.

Psalms 66:12 puts it this way: “We went through the fire, through the flood, to a place of great abundance.” You will see the great abundance through fires, floods, and storms, but it takes spiritual maturity not to get bitter. “Why did they mistreat me? Why did I come down with this illness? Why did I lose that contract?” What if you knew that had to happen so you could get to Gennesaret, a place of abundance? That the storm wasn’t random; it was necessary. The trouble was transportation; it was moving you into the fullness of what God has in store.

God never closes a door unless He will open a bigger and better door. It may not make sense then; we can’t see what God is up to. This is when you have to trust Him. Scripture says, “As an eagle stirs her nest, and gets the baby eaglets out.” Sometimes, God will stir your nest to get you out of a comfortable place where you’re familiar, don’t have to stretch, and don’t have to believe and take those steps of faith. Sometimes, God has to push us into our purpose.

Where God is taking you, you’ll need the courage to lose sight of the shore. And yes, winds, waves, and thoughts will tell you, “You’re not going to make it. It’ll never be as good as it used to be.” You can’t see it yet, but you’re headed to Gennesaret. Those winds you thought would stop you will blow you to a place of abundance, where you see beauty for ashes.

The disciples disliked the storm, but it was a setup. God needed to push them out of their comfort zone. God did not bring you this far to leave you. Get your fire back; get your passion back. The best part of your life is still in front of you. That loss didn’t stop your destiny. What looks like your darkest hour will launch you into your brightest hour.

The storm may seem like a setback, but it’s a setup. God is preparing extraordinary experiences beyond your imagination. Trust in His plans, as the challenges you face are being transformed by Him now. You’re about to receive favor, healing, and breakthroughs, entering a realm of abundance—health, joy, resources, and fulfillment of your destiny. I hope this speaks to you, and I pray you have a blessed day!