Dave
and Jackie looked like an ordinary married couple when you first meet them.
But, their story is a good example of how God brings us out of the storms in
our life.
Dave
used to live a double life. He projected the image of a regular guy with no
major problems. This was also the impression he gave his family and friends. But,
the truth was he was living a dark life. He was addicted to illegal substance
and was in deep financial debts because of gambling. He kept this a secret even
from his wife Jackie.
Jackie
was clueless about Dave’s secret life. She had her own personal problems. She
had to undergo a procedure called angioplastly to treat her heart problem in
August 2013. This gave her emotional stress and financial difficulty. She also
had to borrow money from her employer to payoff Dave’s financial debt. She did
not know that the huge debt caused by his gambling and addiction.
We
all experience storms in our life. Dave and Jackie experienced individual storms
in the lives. Dave’s storm was in the form of gambling and substance addiction
while Jackie’s storm was her health concern.
Dave’s
secret life went on until that faithful dawn of October 2013. He was with
friends for a pot session. He unintentionally called Jackie’s number while his
mobile phone was inside his pocket. Jackie heard his conversations with his
friends. She heard how Dave told his friends to lie to Jackie about his
whereabouts. She overheard a lot more and learned about his addiction. She
packed her bags, got their child and decided to leave their house. Dave realized
the accident later and immediately went home. He caught Jackie at their house
and profusely begged her to stay. She did not give in. She left their place and
vowed to legally separate with him.
Storms
in our life arrive at unforeseen moments. We feel lost in the midst of the dark
storm and don't know what to do. Like the apostles, we asked Jesus - “Teacher, do you not care that we are
perishing?” (Mark 4:38). The blessing that a storm brings is that it allows
us to reflect individually and call on Jesus.
Their
separation brought extreme emotional pain to both Dave and Jackie. They called
friends to help them but most of the time they found themselves alone. They felt
like being in the eye of the storm and isolated from the rest of the world. It
was in their isolation that they found time for Jesus. Dave started to pray
again. He asked Jesus to forgive him. Dave was moved to repent to both God and
his wife. Jackie prayed the rosary to ask for guidance. She was angry and felt
betrayed but God was leading her to forgive. She strongly felt that God wanted
her to go back home and forgive Dave.
Jackie
went back home after a couple of days to forgive him. Dave repented from his
sins. He left his “old” friends and changed his life for the better. The storm
was still ongoing but they had faith that God will see them through.
The
fourth chapter of Mark gives us three points on how we should handle storms in
our life.
- First, we should allow Jesus to lead us. Jesus said to the apostles - “Let us cross to the other side.” (Mark 4:35). God will always lead us into the right path. God led the Israelites from Egypt to the promised land. God inspired the prophets in the Old Testament to show HIS chosen people the right way of life. God sent His Son to lead us into salvation. God wants to lead us today in our life but will you allow HIM to lead your life? Dave allowed Jesus to lead him to repentance. Jackie allowed Jesus to lead her to forgive. What is God leading you to do now?
- Secondly, we should allow God to work out a miracle. Jesus in the midst of the storm “woke up, rebuked the wind, and said to the sea, “Quiet! Be still!” (Mark 4:39). Sometimes we tend to rely too much on ourselves and too less of God. We want everything solved at our pace and in our ways. Jesus Christ ordered the wind and the wind followed. This shows that HE can control anything. Jesus can take care of us as we meet the biggest storms in our life. Jackie was considering separation as the solution to their problem. Instead of solving it she allowed Jesus to work out a miracle. By God’s grace, Dave & Jackie found themselves reconciling. A miracle happened because they decided to rely more on Jesus than themselves.
- Lastly, we need to increase our faith. Jesus “asked them, “Why are you terrified? Do you not yet have faith?” (Mark 4:40). Faith in God is like entering a dark room despite of a possible danger inside. A faith-filled person is willing to enter the dark room because he puts his trust to someone who is familiar with the dark room. The dark room is like the problems in our life. The one who is familiar with it is Jesus. John 1:5 says “the light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.” Jesus is the true light who will always overcome the darkness. Let us remain connected to him.
We
all face storms but with Jesus we will overcome them. Dave and Jackie now live
happily with their two sons. They still face storms from time to time. But now
they are stronger in facing them.
Are
you facing storms in your life? Follow these three points and put your faith in
Jesus Christ
1. Allow Jesus to lead you out the
storm
2. Allow Jesus to work out a miracle
3. Build your faith in HIM
Have
a blessed week!
