If you’ve been trying to stay afloat in the storms of life. . .if you need encouragement for the battles you’re in. . .then. . .this teaching is just for you.

Mark 4:35-40 in the Amplified Bible says:

“35 On that same day [when] evening had come, He said to them, Let us go over to the other side [of the lake].

36 And leaving the throng, they took Him with them, [just] as He was, in the boat [in which He was sitting]. And other boats were with Him.

37 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.

38 But He [Himself] was in the stern [of the boat], asleep on the [leather] cushion; and they awoke Him and said to Him, Master, do You not care that we are perishing?

39 And He arose and rebuked the wind and said to the sea, Hush now! Be still (muzzled)! And the wind ceased (sank to rest as if exhausted by its beating) and there was [immediately] a great calm (a perfect peacefulness).

40 He said to them, Why are you so timid and fearful? How is it that you have no faith (no firmly relying trust)?”

No matter how spiritual you are or aren’t. . .there will come a time in your life when the storm clouds will fill your horizon, darkening the view of your destination, beating up your ship of state. . .making you wonder whether you will survive the howling winds and blowing rain of adversity.

If you draw a breath. . .you’re considered dangerous to the devil. . .you will face a crisis in life from time to time.

The question is not whether or not you will face a crisis but rather how you will respond to it.

Sunday morning during our Rich Thoughts for Breakfast call the word increase was in the text four or five times and so was the word capacity.

Later, as I was meditating, the Lord led me to Ecclesiastes 5:18-20 in the Message Bible which says:

“After looking at the way things are on this earth, here’s what I’ve decided is the best way to live: Take care of yourself, have a good time, and make the most of whatever job you have for as long as God gives you life. And that’s about it. That’s the human lot. Yes, we should make the most of what God gives, both the bounty and the capacity to enjoy it, accepting what’s given and delighting in the work. It’s God’s gift! God deals out joy in the present, the now. It’s useless to brood over how long we might live.”

As I’ve read and re-read these verses. . .I was stirred by Ecclesiastes 5:19 which says:

“Yes, we should make the most of what God gives, both the bounty and the capacity to enjoy it.”

The word capacity ignited in my spirit and God showed me seven ways to increase our capacity for success as we move in His blessing flow.

But first, let’s lay a foundation for this teaching.

If it isn’t obvious that we’re living in the end-times. . .just read the headlines in your local newspaper or on your favorite internet news source.

There’s an old Ray Charles song entitled “Born to Lose.”  One refrain of the song says:  “Born to lose, I've lived my life in vain; every dream has only brought me pain.”

The news media has adopted that philosophy and terminology that bad news sells a lot more than good news. The worse the news … the better in their opinion.  They produce a constant stream of bad news for you to wallow in.

We’re not minimizing the troubles in the world. . .they are plentiful. . .but we don’t need to get caught in despair over what’s happening around us or even to us.

There’s still a lot to be thankful for … and a lot of very good people doing miraculous things to change people’s lives for the better. No doubt you are included.

Here are seven ways to overcome troubled times. It may take some doing … but the end result is worth all the effort.

1.         Don’t RSVP to the Pity Party