Why This Storm? | Jentezen Franklin
Monday, August 3
There are two reasons why God allows storms into our lives. When a storm comes, and storms come to everyone, you still must learn to rejoice in the midst of it. Don’t wait until everything is perfect to thank God! You’re in that storm for a reason.
Key scriptures:
Mark 6:45-51; Matthew 14:22-33; Jonah 1:4; Jonah 1:17; Hebrews 7:25; Luke 22:32; Romans 8:28-37; John 6:20-22
Introducción
Today we’re reflecting on the message of Why This Storm? Pastor Franklin begins by highlighting the Greek verb ἠνάγκασεν (ēnankasen), meaning "to force," "compel," or "constrain." In Mark 6, this word emphasizes that Jesus compelled His disciples to get into the boat and cross the Sea of Galilee. He was fully aware of the storm they would encounter. Their trial was not accidental—it was intentional.
Mark 6:51–52 explains why: “They were completely amazed, for they had not understood about the loaves; their hearts were hardened.” Jesus used the storm to deepen His disciples’ faith and reveal more fully who He is and what He is able to do.
Pastor Franklin then applies this truth to our own lives. Some storms are the result of our own rebellion, and God uses them to correct and restore us. But many storms come while we are faithfully seeking to obey Him. In both cases, God will ‘constrain’ us to walk into those situations or crises knowing what we will face. In those moments, God is not abandoning us—He is refining us. He uses life's trials to deepen our faith, reveal His character, and shape us into the people He has called us to be.
This week we will dig into:
- Get In The Boat! : Storm of Protection
- Three Assurances in The Storm of Perfection
LET’S START THE DISCUSSION:
- What stood out to you in this past Sunday’s message?
- Are you in a storm today? If so, do you feel it is correction or perfection? Why?
The Storm of Correction
There are times when a storm comes into our lives because we are moving in the opposite direction of God’s known will. Pastor Jentezen called this a storm of correction. It is not sent to destroy us. It is sent to wake us up, turn us around, and restore us to the path God designed for our lives.
A clear example is Jonah. God clearly told him to go to Nineveh and preach repentance. Instead, Jonah hired a ship and headed the opposite way.
Jonah 1:4 (NIV) “Then the Lord sent a great wind on the sea, and such a violent storm arose that the ship threatened to break up.”
The sailors panicked. Cargo was thrown overboard. Jonah, meanwhile, was asleep in the bottom of the boat. When they finally woke him, the first question that had to be asked was the same question every one of us should ask when a storm hits: “How did I get here?”
Jonah answered honestly. “It’s me. I’m the reason for this storm.” He told them to throw him overboard. The moment he left the boat that was going the wrong direction, God already had provision waiting. The Bible says the Lord had prepared a great fish.
Sometimes God's provision doesn't look comfortable—it just looks like mercy.
God is not trying to hurt you in a storm of correction. He is trying to help you. He loves you too much to let you keep going the wrong way. The purpose is always restoration.
Romans 8:28 (NIV) “And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.”
This verse does not promise that every storm will feel good while we are in it. It promises that God is able to take even the painful storms of correction and work them together for our ultimate good and His purpose.
If you are in a storm of correction right now, the response is simple: stop, jump off the boat that is heading the wrong direction, repent (turn around), and get back to what God told you to do. The preparation of God is already waiting on the other side.
Discussion Questions
- Have you ever found yourself in a situation and realized, “I put myself here by ignoring what God already told me”? What happened when you finally turned around?
- Why do you think God sometimes allows a storm of correction instead of just speaking quietly again?
- What “boat” (relationship, habit, direction, or group) might God be asking you to leave so He can carry you into His prepared purpose?
Get In The Boat! : Storm of Protection
Matthew 4:22. “Immediately Jesus made His disciples get into the boat and go before Him to the other side, while He sent the multitudes away.”
After feeding the five thousand, Jesus forced the disciples to get into a boat and go the other side of the Sea of Galilee. Yes, forced. Perhaps the disciples had to be forced because they physically saw the turbulent sea or knew bad weather was coming and had prior (bad) experience with storms. Jesus, the One through which all things were made certainly understood weather and the sea but He knew much more than that as His thoughts and ways are so much higher than the disciples. (Isaiah 55:9)
These disciples were not perfect but they were certainly in God’s will. They had forsaken all to walk with Jesus. They were doing their best to learn, to surrender and be obedient. They were not in any habitual sin. Why then would Jesus force them into a storm?
When we look at the word ‘made,’ ‘forced’ or ‘constrained’ (depending on your Bible version) we see that word is from a root word meaning: a strong force needed to accomplish something compulsory (absolutely required) and this kind of situation is typically brought on by great pain or distress.
Jesus had more to accomplish in and through these disciples; something that was absolutely required. To make them into His image. He has the same in mind for us. We should be confident of this, that He who began a good work in us will carry it on to completion. (Phil 1:6). Jesus is the author and perfecter of our faith. (Hebrews 12:2). There it is! He wants to perfect us. Peter said “after you have suffered for a little while, the God of all grace, who has called you to His eternal glory in Christ, will Himself restore you, secure you, strengthen you, and establish you.” (1 Peter 5:10).
Discussion Questions
- Have you done that Deuteronomy 23:14 exercise where you “checked you camp” for sin because this season or storms had to be because of sin?
- If so, how long did you stay stuck in phantom guilt or continue in relentless pursuit to find sin? (Note: a life of repentance is part of the Christian life; obsessive legalism, guilt and shame is not)
- As you think about storms you are in today, knowing you are walking as upright as you can be, did you ever think that God may be refining you? Moving you closer to the image of Jesus? Knowing how good He is, can you rest in His perfect will and perfect work in His life ?
Be Of Good Cheer! It is I
“But the boat was now in the middle of the sea, tossed by the waves, for the wind was contrary [against/hostile]. Now in the fourth watch of the night Jesus went to them, walking on the sea. And when the disciples saw Him walking on the sea, they were troubled, saying, “It is a ghost!” And they cried out for fear. But immediately Jesus spoke to them, saying, “Be of good cheer! It is I; do not be afraid.”
Jesus made the disciples get in the boat immediately. He just as immediately and spoke comforting words to them out on the water. Only words of encouragement, confirmation of His presence and result of His presence. Jesus did not come to the disciples on the water to trouble them or make them afraid.
Discussion Questions
- What is troubling you and causing you fear in this season of life?
- Did you know that when the bible says “do not let your hearts be troubled”, the word “troubled” means to agitate back and forth or to shake to and fro what needs to remain still and at ease?! Where do you still need to remain today?
Ponder this: If God is for you, who can be against you? “Be of good cheer, it is I, says Jesus. Do not be afraid.”
Three Assurances in the Storm of Perfection
Not every storm is a storm of correction. Sometimes, we find ourselves in a storm of perfection. Not because we’ve done something wrong, but because God is using the storm to mature our faith and show us something we’ve never seen before. Romans 8:28 reminds us that “all things work together for the good.” Even when we don’t understand why we’re in the storm, we can trust that God is working through it for our good.
Jesus is praying for you. While the disciples were in the middle of the storm, Jesus was on the mountain praying. Even though they couldn’t see Him, He knew exactly where they were. Jesus is still making intercession for us today (Hebrews 7:25). He even prayed for Peter that his faith would not fail (Luke 22:32). Don’t let your faith stop believing just because you’re in a storm.
Jesus is coming to you. When the disciples were struggling against the wind and waves, Jesus came to them, walking on the very thing that threatened them. He did not leave them alone in the storm. Jesus will never leave His children or forsake them. You don’t have to get to Him, He will get to you. He is God on the mountain and God in the valley.
Jesus will see you through. When Jesus got into the boat with the disciples, the wind died down, and they made it to the other side. John 6:21 says they “immediately” reached the shore where they were going. When you’ve got Jesus with you and you keep the faith, you will make it through things other people won’t make it through. God is using the storm to perfect your faith, and He will get glory out of your story.
If you’re in a storm of perfection, keep trusting. Jesus is praying for you. Jesus is coming to you. Jesus will see you through. You may not understand what God is doing right now, but you can trust that all things are working together for the good.
Preguntas para el debate:
- Are you often overfocused on painful events from your past? If so, are they preventing you from seeing new things that God is doing?
- Are you still so focused on past “miracles” that God has done that you are not anticipating what he is about to do?
- Can you honestly evaluate your spiritual vision right now. Is your whole body full of light, and do you have any planks in your eye that are causing hypocritical attitudes?
CONCLUSION
As we close, let keep in mind the promise of Romans 8:28: “And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.” NIV
Whatever it is that we are facing, we have not been forgotten by God. Jesus and His Holy Spirit continue to intercede on our behalf, and He has the power to and is faithful to take all circumstances and use them for our good, to grow us into the people He desires us to be.
Llamada a la acción:
- Examine yourself and ask the question: “Why am I facing this storm?” Is it for Correction or Protection?
- Commit yourself to surrender to what God is trying to do in your life and who He is trying to make.
- Spend time in your Bible each day to hear the Lord’s voice for lessons to be learned, promises to trust, and/or adjustments to be made.
- Ask the Holy Spirit to guide you in how you can apply the things you are learning to grow in your walk with God.
- Journal what God is doing in your life and how you are responding to Him.
Prayer:
Lord, thank You for Your incredible faithfulness to see us everyday and in every circumstance. Thank You for Your promises: to always see us, that You hear us when we pray, and that You “…work all things for the good of those who love You and are called according to Your purposes..” Help us to stand on those promises when we face crises in our lives. Help us to learn what we need to learn and be faithful to obey what You constrain us to do, and be faithful to walk out Your paths that lead to salvation and eternal life. May our lives be ‘living sacrifices, holy, pleasing and acceptable to You...”
In the name of Jesus we pray, Amen.
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