Matthew 8:23-27, mentions a hardship moment the 12 apostles went through:
Then he got into the boat and his disciples followed him. Suddenly a furious storm came up on the lake, so that the waves swept over the boat. But Jesus was sleeping. The disciples went and woke him, saying, “Lord, save us! We’re going to drown!”He replied, “You of little faith, why are you so afraid?” Then he got up and rebuked the winds and the waves, and it was completely calm. The men were amazed and asked, “What kind of man is this? Even the winds and the waves obey him!”
(Mateo 8:23-27, NIV)
The experience narrated by Matthew, represents what we all go through when we have to face adversity in order to develop the steady character we need to faithfully fulfill the divine purpose we have been called to.
The Lord allows adversity in the life of his servants to develop character in them. The greatest godly men are the result of being tested in the fire of difficulty and hardship.
1. Failure turns into learning when your life is in God’s hands: God shows his mercy towards us by taking on him our negative experiences, renewing our minds and teaching us that all things can be conquered in the spiritual world by faith and not by human logic. God is able to remove every feeling of failure and turn it into a learnt lesson, if we put it in his hands.
2. Tenacity to stand winds against us: It is fundamental for a leader to develop internal strength. It would be almost impossible for a leader to be bold, if it is not by the means of the strength God gives us through his word. God’s word comforts us and fills us with his power for what is ahead of us.
We acquire tenacity when we learn how to put our heaviness on God’s shoulders, when we change the way we see ourselves, because God is able to turn our weakness into strength.
3. The power of persistence:
"Nothing in the world can take the place of persistence. Talent will not; nothing is more common than unsuccessful individuals with talent. Genius will not; unrewarded genius is almost a proverb. Education will not; the world is full of educated derelicts. Persistence and determination alone are omnipotent."
(Ray Crock).
God does not need people’s wit in order to impact a nation, he is after men and women willing to do his will; nevertheless, many have given up before seeing the fruit and that is the reason why perseverance is so important.
Persevere, do not give up,God will glorify you and use you to change many lives!