Storms of Life

There will always be storms that we need to face in our lives. Sometimes they are slow but consistent like the Seattle rains, while other times they are unexpected and horrifyingly harsh like the typhoons of the oceans. Often times we can predict that there could be a storm coming, while other times they catch us so much off guard that you feel there is no protection - no peace. But that's just because we haven't recognized it yet.

When the apostles of Jesus Christ were being tossed in a storm, they were afraid when they saw Christ walking towards them on the water. They didn't at first recognize that it was Him. When He spoke to calm them, Peter wished that his Savior might bid him come. That is always the invitation that Christ gives to each of us: "Come." So Peter walked out onto the water to go unto He in whom he had so much faith. But then he saw the storm. He saw the wind and the waves and the torrents that were come upon him and he was afraid. He began to sink. In fear he cried out "Lord, save me." In the act of His ever present love, Christ then "immediately stretched forth His hand" and pulled Peter to safety. (Matthew 14:30-31). And then the wind stopped, and the storm was calmed.

I think that this happens in each of our lives. When the winds get stronger we are troubled, but we have faith that we will make it through. So we take the steps of faith to go towards our ultimate goal behind the rage of the storm. And it seems that whenever we are on our way, the storm will always get worse, or harder, or at least seem scarier to us. And we can get distracted from our goal, distracted from the safety that we are sure to find because of the waves and the wind and the fierceness of the difficulties. That distraction causes us to sink - to fall into despair or frustration or into a lack of hope. And yet, when we call out to our Lord - to our Savior and Friend - He will immediately come to our aid. Sometimes we don't recognize it because He often will work through the people around us, or through small whisperings of the Spirit. But as we strive to listen, we will fell the peace that comes from Him and Him alone. And we can rise above the storm. His love will lift us and give us the hope that we loose sight of sometimes.

The Lord himself has said, "And if your eye be single to my glory, your whole bodies shall be filled with light, and there shall be no darkness in you..." (Doctrine and Covenants 88:67). When we direct our focus to the plan and the love and the knowledge of our God and our Lord, the darkness can not overpower us. It doesn't make it go away altogether, but it will not be the only thing we see. The darkness can not block out the light of our hope through Jesus Christ.