Stand Firm in the Storm

John 16:33 (NLT) In this world, you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart because I have overcome the world. 

Overcoming the troubles, trials and sorrows of life doesn’t just happen. There’s a role we play in securing our hope of victory. And that role is to STAND.

BIG Idea - The human spirit needs hope to stand firm in our faith. And the pathway to hope is through an anchored soul. - The book of Hebrews puts it this way…

Hebrews 6:19 (NIV) “We have this hope as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure...” 

When storms in life arise, we can feel disoriented and begin to drift in despair, but no matter our discouragement, we can’t lose hope. Through God’s Word, we can navigate hard economic, political, mental, or emotional times. 

Make It Practical - 5 ways we keep our hope while standing firm through the storms of life. 

• 1) Cultivate God’s presence - God is the source of all hope. We can cultivate His presence through worship.

Romans 15:13 (GWT) May God, the source of hope, fill you with joy and peace through your faith in him. Then you will overflow with hope…  

Psalm 62:5 (NIV) Yes, my soul, find rest in God; my hope comes from him.

God’s Word

Worship

Philippians 4:4 (NKJV) Rejoice in the Lord always. Again I will say, rejoice!

When the nations crumble, the word of the Lord will stay

Kings may rise and fall, His love will endure

Though the strong may stumble, the joy of the Lord is strength to my soul

I will not be shaken, I will not be moved, I will not be shaken – 

I will not be Shaken – Vinyard Music

Isaiah 40:31 (NIV) but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; They will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint. 

• 2) Stand on God’s promise - Anchored people stand on God’s promise.

Psalm 119:81 (NIV) My soul faints with longing for your salvation, but I have put my hope in your word.

Matthew 7:24-27 (NIV) Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock. 25 The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house; yet it did not fall, because it had its foundation on the rock. 26 But everyone who hears these words of mine and does not put them into practice is like a foolish man who built his house on sand. 27 The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell with a great crash.” 

• 3) Understand God’s process – God will use storms to help  build and strengthen our faith.. 

Romans 5:2-4 (NIV) And we boast/rejoice in the hope of the glory of God. 3 Not only so, but we also rejoice in our sufferings, for we know that they help us develop endurance. 4 And endurance develops strength of character, and character strengthens our confident hope of salvation.

James 1:2 (NIV) Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds.  3 because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance.

Mark 4:35-38 (NIV) That day when evening came, he said to his disciples, “Let us go over to the other side.” 36 Leaving the crowd behind, they took him along, just as he was, in the boat. There were also other boats with him. 37 A furious squall (NLT = “fierce storm)... came up, and the waves broke over the boat, so that it was nearly swamped. 38 Jesus was in the stern, sleeping on a cushion. The disciples woke him and said to him, “Teacher, don’t you care if we drown? 

Matthew 8:26 (NIV) He replied, “You of little faith, why are you so afraid?” Then he got up and rebuked the wind and the waves and it was completely calm. 

Before God deals with the storm, He’s probably going to deal with you! 

He rebuked them, “Where’s your faith at, guys?” 

He corrected them, “Why are you so afraid?” 

But, He also got them through the storm safely. In other words, He used the storm to help build their faith.

Matthew 8:27 (NIV) The men were amazed and asked, “What kind of man is this? Even the winds and the waves obey him!” 

• 4) Find God’s purpose - One of the greatest sources of hope is knowing that God has called us and created us on purpose, for a purpose. 

Jeremiah 29:11 (NIV) For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.

You will never be able to fully embrace hope apart from knowing why God put you on this planet. That’s why we’re always encouraging people to jump in with our growth track. Because Knowing God, Finding Freedom and Making a Difference will not only bring spiritual growth, it will also bring hope. 

• 5) Look forward to God’s place. We can’t expect too much from earth. When we live for heaven, we have blessed hope.

“May God, the source of all hope, fill you with joy and peach through your faith in him. Then you will overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.” Romans 15:13 (GWT)

How do we stay anchored in our soul and hold on to our hope while trying to stand firm through the storms of life? By being mindful of…

His presence - that He’s closer than we realize… (Joshua 1:9, Psalm 23:4, Matthew 28:20

His promises - that we’re more than conquerors through Him and He will never leave us or forsake us… (Romans 8:37, 1 Corinthians 15:57)

His process - that He works all things together for good for those who know Him… (Romans 5:3,4) 

His purpose – that He will use the storm to build and strengthen our faith (Romans 5:2-4, James 1:2) 

His place - that He has a place ready for us when He takes us home… (John 14:2)

Talk About It

1. Encourage each other by sharing stories of when God’s hope gave you strength and helped you stand strong during a difficult time.

2. What does our soul draw us to when we aren’t anchored in hope? How does the enemy use other things to give us a false sense of security or relief? How did this week’s message help you see the importance of standing firm during the storms of life?

3. Read Mark 4:35-38 (NIV) and Matthew 8:26-27 (NIV). Notice Jesus spoke to the disciples before He stopped the storm. How has God’s process sharpened you? If you are going through a trial, ask God what He’s trying to do in you during this time.

Prayer - Father, thank You for giving us Your Word to stand on, no matter what life brings our way. We trust Your Word and anchor our souls in You. Build our strength as we lean into Your presence, promise, process, purpose and place. We are fully surrendered to You, Jesus, and have faith that through every trial, You are working out the best inside of us. We give You all the glory, Lord! It’s in Your mighty name we pray! Amen!

We can’t stop the hardships and storms of life, but we can stand firm on God’s Word in the midst of the storm if our soul is anchored in Him.