“But immediately Jesus spoke to them, saying, “Be of good cheer! It is I; do not be afraid.”(Matthew 14:27)

Sometimes, God allows difficulties in our lives so He can remind us how much we need Him.

One day, Jesus told His men to take a boat across the lake while He went up the mountain to pray. Late at night, the men still hadn’t reached the shore and a storm blew up. Several of them were experienced fisherman who had been in countless  storms, but this time, they knew they were in big trouble. They thought they drown. In the middle of the raging waves and howling wind, they could faintly see a figure walking on the water towards them. The fear of drowning suddenly paled next to the fear of being visited by a ghost. It was Jesus approached them. He must have had a smile on His face.

From time to time, we feel overwhelmed by storms in our lives too. Sometimes they occur because we’ve made dumb mistakes and we’re experiencing the consequences, but sometimes they occur because we’ve followed God’s leading. Jesus reminds us that storms aren’t an obstacle to Him at all. He will provide for us, and His presence will cheer us up.