God, who is the blessed controller of all things, the king over all kings
and the master of all
masters… 1 Timothy 6:13-16 J.B. Phillips
Waves,
crashing and rolling in the dark of night, Peter climbed out of the pitching
and yawing boat and set off across the foaming waves toward Jesus, who walked
peacefully atop the surface of the water—“the blessed controller of all things”.
These were not timid men. Most were fishermen hardened to heavy toil and the
rough, unpredictable waters of the Sea of Galilee. Storms were nothing new, but
on this night, the ferocity of the thunder, lightning streaking across the sky,
and the tumult of the waves frightened them.
To
the amazement of his companions, Peter strode across the thrashing sea with confidence,
his eyes fixed on Jesus’ face. In a moment of panic, he glanced down in
amazement at the churning water beneath his feet, his heart filled with fear of
the impossible, and he began to sink.
The
great and powerful God who rules the universe promises never to let me go. God promises to keep us afloat through any
trial, bringing us to safe harbor when we focus on Him, no matter how distant
the solid ground appears. My heart and my feet might fail, but my God has
promised He never will.
As
I navigated the waters of infertility, chronic illness, my father’s sudden
death, and my husband’s job loss, God has proved unfailing in his faithfulness
and mercy. When the end result appears uncertain, my thoughts stray to the
worst possible outcome. My heart knows God is the blessed controller, but my
mind can’t conceive of his ability to make things right. I grow faint, my feet
falter, and whitecaps of fear drag me under choppy waves of doubt.
When the storms of life threaten to drag me
beneath the waves, I must remember the blessed controller who prevails over the
tempest. Though trials may buffet, God will never allow me to sink. He will not
fail, for our God is mighty to save.
© Copyright by Norma Gail Thurston Holtman, March 14, 2014,
& January 4, 2018
About the author:
Norma
Gail’s debut contemporary Christian romance, Land of My Dreams, won the 2016
Bookvana Religious Fiction Award. A women’s Bible study leader for over 21
years, her devotionals and poetry have appeared at ChristianDevotions.us, the
Stitches Thru Time blog, and in “The Secret Place.” She is a member of American
Christian Fiction Writers, Romance Writers of America, Historical Writers of
America, and the Women’s Fiction Writers Association. Norma is a former RN who
lives in the mountains of New Mexico with her husband of 41 years. They have
two adult children. If you’re interested in connecting with her, you’re to
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