Have you ever been in a serious thunderstorm. . .or maybe even a hurricane or tornado?

I’ve never been in a tornado but I have been through a couple of hurricanes and many serious thunderstorms.

During our time in Texas. . .it was not unusual to have thunderstorms with 60-70 mile an hour winds and frequent lightning strikes.  I remember one storm where there were over 1,000 lighting strikes in an hour.

When serious storms come up. . .we’re looking for a safe place. 

How would you react if you were in the middle of the sea when a violent storm arose?

Mark 4:37 in the Classic Amplified Bible says:

“And a furious storm of wind [of hurricane proportions] arose, and the waves kept beating into the boat, so that it was already becoming filled.”

The disciples and Jesus were crossing the Sea of Galilee when a violent storm began to rage.  The disciples were frightened, fearful and faithless in the midst of what they perceived to be a potentially, deadly situation.

Here are seven things we should do when facing the storms of our lives.

1.       When trouble is headed your way. . .always do what Jesus did.

Would you like to have spiritual boldness?

You don’t need an expensive seminar or weekend conference to gain spiritual boldness.

There have been some good books written on developing boldness and confidence but the best book on the subject. . .was written thousands of years ago.

Developing spiritual boldness is not an outside job. . .but rather. . .an inside work.

Ephesians 3:12 in the Classic Amplified Bible says:

“In Whom, because of our faith in Him, we dare to have the boldness (courage and confidence) of free access (an unreserved approach to God with freedom and without fear).”

Our 24/7 access to our Heavenly Father. . .was made possible by the blood of Jesus on Calvary’s cross.

2 Corinthians 3:12 in the Classic Amplified Bible says:

“Since we have such [glorious] hope (such joyful and confident expectation), we speak very freely and openly and fearlessly.”

Confidence in God and His Word. . .gives us a boldness to be about Kingdom business.

Acts 28:31 in the Classic Amplified Bible says:

“Preaching to them the kingdom of God and teaching them about the Lord Jesus Christ with boldness and quite openly, and without being molested or hindered.”

One of the things that should give you spiritual boldness is knowing that God has chosen you for a divine assignment.

Are you feeling pressure in your everyday life?  On the job. . .in your finances. . .at home either in your role as a spouse or a parent?

You want to get ahead but sometimes the pressure is almost overbearing.

Peter Marshal, a former Chaplain of the United States Senate, once told the Lord:

“When we long for life without difficulties, remind us that oaks grow strong in contrary winds and diamonds are made under pressure.”

Perhaps, we need to catch a visual of ourselves becoming like the Hope diamond. . .the most famous of all precious stones.

There seems to be four main causes of pressure. . .whether generated externally or internally.

First, we get overloaded with more to do than the hours of the day will allow us to complete.

Second, we allow our emotions to create worry, anxiety and frustration. . .which drains us emotionally and physically as well.

Third, we begin to play worst case scenarios in our minds. . .imaging the worst things that could possible happen. . .if something is not completed or doesn’t happen.

Fourth, the enemy wants to change our spiritual and mental environment. . .to break our focus off what’s important to our heavenly calling.

Pressure can cause us to either fight or take flight from our current circumstances.

But in 1 Peter 4:12 in the Classic Amplified Bible we are warned that this is not uncommon:

Motives are what makes us do what we do.

According to dictionary.com the word motive means:

“Something that causes a person to act in a certain way; do a certain thing; an inner drive, impulse or intention that causes a person to do something or act in a certain way.”

Motivation to a Christian is like gas in the tank of your car.  It gives you what’s desired or necessary to be a success in your Christian life.

Motivation unfortunately is not a class you take in school.

Motivation can’t be inherited.  It’s not hereditary.  It can’t be passed from parent to child no matter how hard we try.

Motivation is not circumstantial or environmental. . .it’s an inner working.

It’s also important to point out that motivation can be good or ungodly.

Here are examples of seven Biblical characters and what motivated them to accomplish their God-given goals.

It’s important to understand that when God gives us a vision, a goal or a prophetic Word, it is then up to us to see it through.

The vision, goal or Word is the calling … but it is up to us to follow the process to the end result.

Are you feeling pressure in your everyday life?  On the job. . .in your finances. . .at home either in your role as a spouse or a parent?

You want to get ahead but sometimes the pressure is almost overbearing.

Peter Marshal, a former Chaplain of the United States Senate, once told the Lord:

“When we long for life without difficulties, remind us that oaks grow strong in contrary winds and diamonds are made under pressure.”

Perhaps, we need to catch a visual of ourselves becoming like the Hope diamond. . .the most famous of all precious stones.

There seems to be four main causes of pressure. . .whether generated externally or internally.

First, we get overloaded with more to do than the hours of the day will allow us to complete.

Second, we allow our emotions to create worry, anxiety and frustration. . .which drains us emotionally and physically as well.