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Week 1: When the Storm Hits

This post is part of a 4-week Bible study from my message Lord, Save Me. Listen to the full message with presentation HERE! To download a free printable PDF of today’s study, click HERE.

Reading: Matthew 14:22–26

Storms have a way of catching us off guard, especially when they arrive right after something good. In Matthew 14, the disciples had just witnessed one of the most incredible miracles of Jesus’ ministry. Thousands were fed with a few loaves and fish. God’s power was undeniable. Spirits were high. Faith felt strong.

And then they got into the boat.

“Shortly before dawn, Jesus went out to them, walking on the lake.” (Matthew 14:25)

By the time Jesus reached them, they were already battling a violent storm. They were exhausted, afraid, and feeling alone. That detail matters.

Storms don’t always come because we did something wrong. Sometimes they come right after moments of obedience, faith, and victory. A storm is not proof that God has abandoned you. It’s not evidence that you missed His will.

Jesus already knew where they were. And He was already on His way.

If you’re in a storm right now—emotionally, spiritually, or physically—know this: You are not forgotten. You are not overlooked. And you are not navigating this alone. Storms may shake us, but they do not remove us from God’s care.

Discussion Questions

• Have you ever experienced a storm right after a season of growth?

• What storms are hardest for you, external or internal?

Application

This week, identify one storm you’re currently facing. Write it down and acknowledge it honestly before God.

Prayer

Our most gracious God and Father, we thank You that You care deeply about us. We thank You that Your Word reminds us in John 16:33 that we can take heart, because You have already overcome the world. We know that in this life there will be trouble and trials, but You came so that we could have peace. So today, God, we speak peace over the hearts and minds of Your children. If anyone reading this is walking through a storm, we speak to that storm now, and we command it to be still in the name of Jesus. We thank You, Lord, that You are with us in the storm, that we are not alone, and that we will not be overtaken. We trust that You will carry us through, and that we will come out victorious, because of who You are and what You have already done. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

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Lord, Save Me

Listen to the full message with presentation HERE!

There’s a moment in Scripture that feels almost too honest to gloss over.

Peter is walking on the water. He’s doing the impossible. And then suddenly, the wind catches his attention. Fear takes over. His feet begin to sink beneath the surface, and he cries out one simple prayer:

“Lord, save me.” (Matthew 14:30)

That’s it. No long explanation. No fancy wording. Just desperation and trust wrapped together in a few words.

It’s Okay to Not Be Okay

This story has always reminded me of something that happened with my son years ago. He was running up the stairs at full speed like kids do, and suddenly we heard a loud boom. I called out, “Are you okay?” and he meekly answered, “I’m okay.” But I knew better. I asked again, and after a pause, he burst into tears and said, “I’m not okay. Somebody call 911.”

We still laugh about it now, but the truth is, we do the same thing as adults. We walk into church, into work, into conversations carrying stress, fear, grief, and overwhelm—and when someone asks how we’re doing, we say, “I’m fine.” Sometimes it feels like it’s not okay to admit that we’re struggling. We think that real faith means pretending we’re always winning, always strong, always unshaken.

But Scripture tells a different story. It’s not a sin to be overwhelmed. It’s not a failure to need help.

Peter Needed Saving and So Do We

In Matthew 14:22–33, the disciples find themselves in a violent storm on the Sea of Galilee. This wasn’t a small inconvenience. These were experienced fishermen, and they were terrified. What makes this even more striking is when the storm happens.

It comes right after one of the greatest miracles they had ever witnessed—the feeding of the five thousand. They had just seen Jesus provide supernaturally, and yet now they were fighting for their lives. Sometimes the greatest storms come right after great spiritual victories.

Storms don’t mean God is absent. They don’t mean you missed something. They don’t mean you failed. Jesus already knew exactly where they were—and He was already on His way.

Look for Jesus in the Storm

When Jesus approached the boat, walking on the water, the disciples didn’t recognize Him at first. They thought He was a ghost. How often does Jesus show up in ways we don’t immediately recognize? Sometimes He looks like a friend checking in.
Sometimes He sounds like a Scripture that won’t leave your heart. Sometimes He’s the conviction that stops you mid-sentence.

Jesus said, “Take courage. It is I. Don’t be afraid.” Look for Him in the storm. You’re not in it alone.

How Do We Survive the Storm?

Peter shows us exactly how to respond. The answer actually reaches back nearly 900 years earlier, when God gave King Solomon a clear prescription for times of crisis.

“If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land.”
(2 Chronicles 7:14)

Peter did all four.

He humbled himself.
Admitting you need help is hard. Pride tells us we should be able to handle it. But Scripture says, “Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time.” (1 Peter 5:6) Peter later wrote those words—after living them.

He prayed.
“Lord, save me.” That was his entire prayer. Prayer doesn’t have to be long to be powerful. It just has to be honest.

He sought Jesus.
Peter didn’t turn back to the boat or to the other disciples. He turned to Jesus. “Look to the Lord and his strength; seek his face always.” (1 Chronicles 16:11)

He turned from doubt.
Jesus caught him and asked, “Why did you doubt?” Doubt doesn’t disqualify us—but we can’t stay there.

What Keeps Us Sinking

Some things will keep us stuck in the storm longer than necessary:

  • Pride — thinking we can handle it ourselves
  • Silence — refusing to cry out for help
  • Comparison — measuring our lives against others
  • Sin — carrying weight Jesus already paid for

Scripture reminds us: “For everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.” (Romans 10:13)

But you have to call.

Exchange the Weight

Jesus invites us into something better: “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.” (Matthew 11:28–30) When things are too heavy, we sink. When we release them to Jesus, we float. And notice how the story ends—Jesus gets into the boat with them. It’s not enough to cry out once and then push Him away. He wants to be part of every part of your life: the storms, the victories, the confusion, the healing.

He is close to the brokenhearted. If you’re sinking today, you don’t need perfect words. Just this one prayer will do:

“Lord, save me.”

COMING SOON!!

If you’re in a storm—or coming out of one—I don’t want you to walk through this alone. Over the next four weeks, I’ll be releasing a weekly study based on this message, breaking it down piece by piece so we can walk through it together. My prayer is that each week gives you space to reflect, be honest with God, and experience His rescue in a fresh way. Come back each week and let’s do this together.

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Right Place, Wrong Time: Lessons from the Life of Joseph

Listen to the full message with presentation HERE!

Have you ever felt like you were in the wrong place at the wrong time? Like no matter how much you were trying to do the right thing, life just wasn’t lining up the way you expected?

That question came to mind when I was studying a familiar story in the Bible—Joseph, starting in Genesis 37. Joseph’s story covers 14 chapters, which is a lot compared to other people in Scripture. Some figures we meet for a verse or two, some get a chapter, but Joseph’s life unfolds in detail.

I can’t cover every verse here (though it’s worth reading Genesis 37–50 straight through—it’s one of the most gripping narratives in the Old Testament). Instead, let’s pull out a few lessons from Joseph’s journey.

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1. Not Everyone Will Be Excited About Your Dreams

Joseph was already on thin ice with his brothers. He had a special coat, he was his father’s favorite, and yes—he was a tattletale. (The Bible literally says he brought a “bad report” about his brothers back to their father.)

Then Joseph shared his dream about his brothers’ bundles of grain bowing down to his. Unsurprisingly, that didn’t go over well.

Here’s the lesson: not everyone is going to celebrate your dreams. Sometimes the people closest to you—family, friends—may not understand or support what God is doing in your life.

And that’s okay. Their lack of excitement doesn’t cancel God’s plan.

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2. Obedience Doesn’t Mean Easy

Joseph obeyed his father when he went to check on his brothers. He was doing the right thing, but obedience didn’t keep him out of trouble. His brothers saw him coming and immediately plotted to kill him.

Being in God’s will doesn’t mean smooth sailing. Paul obeyed God and still ended up shipwrecked (Acts 27). Sometimes obedience comes with setbacks. But setbacks don’t mean failure—God is still at work.

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3. God’s Blessing Isn’t Limited by Circumstances

Joseph was sold into slavery in Egypt. From the outside, it looked like he was in the wrong place at the wrong time. But Genesis 39 tells us, “The Lord was with Joseph, so he succeeded in everything he did.”

Potiphar noticed. Joseph rose to the top in his household.

This shows us that God’s favor isn’t confined by our situation. You may be in a job you dislike, surrounded by people who don’t share your values, or in a season that feels heavy—but God’s blessing is not limited by your circumstances.

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4. God Is with You, Even in the “Wrong Place”

After refusing Potiphar’s wife, Joseph ended up in prison. From slavery to prison—it seems like a downward spiral. Yet the Bible says, “The Lord was with Joseph in the prison and showed him his faithful love.” (Genesis 39:21)

Even there, Joseph prospered.

This is a powerful reminder: no matter how “wrong” your situation feels, God has not abandoned you. Isaiah 43:2 says, “When you pass through the waters, I will be with you… when you walk through the fire, you will not be burned.”

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5. Your Success Comes from God, Not People

Joseph helped interpret dreams for Pharaoh’s cupbearer, who promised to remember him—but forgot for two whole years.

Two. Full. Years.

Joseph wasn’t overlooked because God forgot about him. He was waiting on God’s timing.

Psalm 75:6–7 says, “For exaltation comes neither from the east nor the west… but God is the Judge: He puts down one, and exalts another.”

Your promotion, your breakthrough, your open door—ultimately, it doesn’t come from people. It comes from God.

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6. Our Gifts Are for God’s Glory

Finally, when Joseph stood before Pharaoh, he could have boasted. After all, he correctly interpreted dreams before. But instead, he said, “I cannot do it, but God will give Pharaoh the answer he desires.” (Genesis 41:16)

That’s humility. That’s perspective.

Our gifts aren’t for self-promotion—they’re for God’s glory. 1 Peter 4:10–11 reminds us that every gift we have is meant to serve others and point back to Him.

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Final Thought

Joseph’s story is full of ups and downs—family betrayal, slavery, false accusations, prison, and eventually, leadership in Egypt. Through it all, we see a God who is faithful, present, and sovereign over timing.

So if you feel like you’re in the wrong place at the wrong time, remember Joseph. Obedience doesn’t guarantee comfort. People won’t always celebrate your dreams. But God’s presence, blessing, and timing are never off.

He’s with you. He has good things for you. And He will make everything beautiful in His time.

Reflections

As we move into a new week, let’s remember that every small act of faithfulness adds up. Sometimes progress feels slow, but God is always working behind the scenes. Our role is simply to stay faithful, to show up, and to trust Him with the results.

Closing Prayer

Father, thank You for the gift of a new week. Help us to walk in Your strength and not our own. Remind us that even in the small things, You are present and working for our good. Give us endurance when we feel weary, peace when we feel overwhelmed, and joy in every moment. May our words and actions bring You glory. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

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Spiritual Spring Cleaning

”Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us,“
‭‭Hebrews‬ ‭12‬:‭1‬ ‭NIV‬‬

I woke up this morning and did what I always do first thing: made my coffee. After that, I usually stand in front of the window to let the sun hit my face and to prayer silently for a few moments.

This morning, I heard birds chirping, which is a sound I miss during the sometimes long winters here in Wisconsin. But the birds are back earlier this year thanks to a record breaking warm winter.

Spring has come early and for many people that spurs the urge to do some spring cleaning. I try to keep a good handle on the house and send old things out as new things come in but I have some spring cleaning to do also.

I don’t know what it is about spring that gives us the motivation to start getting rid of things but it reminds of Hebrews 12:1. “Let us throw off everything that hinders…”.

Spring cleaning is a chance for many to throw out physical things that hinder. Maybe they hinder access to a part of a room or the ability to comfortably have guests over. Maybe they hinder us from moving forward from a painful past. But our homes aren’t the only thing in our lives that need regular maintenance.

God wants us to throw off the spiritual things that hinder us. He wants us to do a sweep for unforgiveness, jealousy, negativity, and a host of other things that clutter our spirits.

We can only do this with the help of the next verse. Hebrews 12:2 tells us to fix “our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith.” When we fix our eyes on him, we can focus on who he is and strive to be more like him.

This year, if you plan to clean out the attic or garage or basement, take some time to ask God what areas of your spiritual life could use some spring cleaning so you can run the race he’s naked out for you.

Have a great week!

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All You Need

I like to plan. I make a to do list for the month, week, and day. I wish I was more spontaneous but this is how God made me. I don’t like when things pop up in the week that are not on my list already and as a result, sometimes struggle to adapt.

Last week, my son fractured his toe at taekwondo. It was a pretty rough fracture but he is doing ok now. Thank God he doesn’t need his toe to game! But handling all that went with his injury was a lot of stress for me. Not just because it wasn’t on my to do list, but I don’t handle my kids being in pain very well. I probably cried more than he did by the end of it!

But as I was in the middle of everything last week and feeling overwhelmed, this verse came up in our daily scripture calendar. “And God will generously provide all you need. Then you will always have everything you need and plenty left over to share with others,” 2 Corinthians 9:8.

I know Jesus told us to ask God for our daily bread, but often I want to know the meals for the whole week. This scripture reminded me that whatever happens, planned or not, God is in control and he’s given us everything we need to handle what each day brings. I was able to encourage my son with this as he was having his toe readjusted and was afraid.

We don’t know what the day will bring but God does and he is faithful to walk with us every step of the way. I think of Shadrach, Meschack, and Abednego in the fiery furnace. God didn’t just yell in to the fire, “You’ll be ok!! Just wait it out!”. He got in the fire with them. And he is with us. It’s who he is. Emmanuel.

Have a wonderful week!

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Happy New Year

I love beginnings. The beginning of the day, week, month or year all get the same amount of excitement from me. I’m one of the weird people that wake up Monday morning, ready to go!

Like most years, I’ve set a few intentions for 2024. One is to become more consistent on this blog. But I have a good reason as to why it’s been on the back burner. I just published my first book at the end of last year and am working on a launch in March. I wrote in my last post that you can do everything you want, just not all at once.

Now that the book’s done, I have a little more time for creative writing and insight. I’ll be sharing the book here soon! I just wanted to wish everyone a Happy New Year and I pray God’s best for you in 2024!

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Starting Again

I haven’t blogged in almost a year. And I’ve missed it. Life has picked up and blogging and podcasting have been on pause. But I’m ready to slowly add them back in. I firmly believe we can do everything we want to do. Just not at the same time.

I can be a homeschooling mom, volleyball coach, worship leader, marathoner, podcaster, blogger, author, or any other hats that I wear with pride. I just can’t be them all at the same time. We have to prioritize what we can handle in each season, otherwise, we will begin to despise the roles we have chosen.

Over the past few months away, I have been focusing heavily on finishing my book, kids’ activities and homeschooling. And have been making great progress in these areas. They are a bit on autopilot now which is allowing me to slowly incorporate blogging and podcasting again.

I don’t know how often I will write or record, but I’m starting again. Starting again or starting over can be hard. It’s hard not to compare to what’s already happened and easy to fear what might. But I’ve decided I’d rather start and see than wait and wonder.

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Th Sufficiency of His Grace

I have fallen off the wagon a bit. I guess I haven’t fallen completely off but I’m dragging behind the wagon by my ponytail! The past few weeks have been busy with sickness, houseguests, back to homeschool, activities, basement renovation, and a host of other obligations, both fun and not as much.

This who know me, know that I’m a bit of a time management guru. I’ve given myself that title but few would disagree. I pride myself in being productive but over scheduled. Being organized but flexible. So when things get a little off plan/schedule my usual inclination is to get frustrated and irritable.

But as a Christian seeking God and desiring to me like him and not being conformed to the patterns of this world (Romans 12:2), I’m learning that every issue, natural or spiritual, has a biblical solution. When I feel overwhelmed by life and I all have to do, I remember that 1 Peter 5:7 invites me to cast my cares on Jesus. Because guess what.. He cares about me!

When I find myself entertaining negative thoughts, I employ Philippians 4:8 and think on things that are pure and lovely and true. Lately, I’ve been depending on 2 Corinthians 12:9, where the apostle Paul reminds us that God’s grace is sufficient. His strength is made perfect in our weakness. I don’t have to do it all or be it all, but instead can rest in the grace of God and allow his grace to help focus on what really matters.

There will always be things to do, laundry to fold, houses to clean, pets to care for, kids to drive around, but we NEVER have to do these things in our own strength. That’s why so many people are burned out. We can do them in the strength of Lord. We can do them by giving ourselves grace and accepting the grace of God.

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Return, Remove, Restore

If you return to the Almighty, you will be restored:
    If you remove wickedness far from your tent… Job 22:23

This week is a busy week for me. I’m getting my message ready for our women’s meeting at church which is returning from a summer break. I’m also preparing for homeschool to restart next week, and if that wasn’t enough, we just got a new kitten the day we returned from vacation! But I’m in a planning, back to school type of mood so my message for the ladies this Friday will tie in with that!

I love that God can use whatever we have going on to speak to us and maybe even help someone else. I’ve been reading a passage in the book of Job for a lot of the summer. It’s found in Job 22 (verses 21-28). My pastor/father in law quotes this passage often and it has become one of my favorites, but I want to zero in on one verse. The 23rd verse gives us a formula for restoration.

Math is one of my favorite subjects. It can be really simple, IF you know the basics. Math was not my son’s favorite subject. When we started homeschooling, he would dread math time. But as we slowed down and focused on the basics of memorizing math facts and seeing the patterns in them, he began to love it! He loved that there are rues to math that apply every time.

As I was ready this passage in Job, I began to think about patterns in the Bible. The children of Israel (yes, them again!) had a pattern they would fall into often. Get complacent in their faith, turn to idols and instant gratification, fall into sin, regret their disobedience and the consequences of it, cry out to God, get forgiven and restored, repeat.

This happened over and over and then over again in the Bible. But God’s response was always the same. His formula always worked and it’s found in Job 22:23. RETURN, REMOVE, RESTORE.

If the people would return their hearts to him and remove wickedness from their lives, he would restore them. This is the same promise he gave Solomon in 2 Chronicles 7:14. If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land. God commanded his people to return to him (pray and seek), to remove wickedness from their lives (turn from their wicked ways), and he would restore them (I will hear from heaven and forgive their sin and will heal their land).

In the spirit of back to school, here is our formula: Return + Remove = Restoration

The formula has worked throughout scripture. Look at the prodigal son. He returned to his father, he removed his pride and arrogance, and he was restored to his position as a son. But there are also instances were people tried to only use part of the formula. Many of the kings in the Old Testament were counted as doing right in the eyes of the Lord. They returned to him and encourage the people to do so. But I noticed a phrase that kept reappearing: “But they failed to remove the high places”. The kings would return to God but would to get rid of the places of idol worship that would distract the people of God from serving him fully.

Many of us don’t physically go to the temple of an idol and make sacrifices. But everyday, we make spiritual sacrifices while we worship at the alters of busyness, technology, complacency, greed, discontent, criticism and whatever else I didn’t name that fits you! If we want to see restoration in a certain area of our life, we have to apply the formula. And yes, it always works!

In your finances: RETURN your tithe to the Lord and learn how to be a good manager of what he’s given you. REMOVE unnecessary spending, overspending, debt and a poverty mentality and prioritize saving and investing and RESTORE your ability to experience financial freedom.

In your health: RETURN your body to God as a temple you want to take care of. REMOVE unhealthy eating habits and negative patterns surrounding food. Your health will be RESTORED and you can live a life full of energy and unnecessary heath issues.

In your walk with God: RETURN to God by daily prayer and reading his Word. REMOVE distractions keeping you from spending time with him (turn your phone off, go outside for a walk, put in your noise cancelling headphones!). See your spirit restored and your faith grow.

I could go on forever, but you get the point! God wants his children to prosper and be in good health. He wants us to serve him and others and be a blessing to everyone we encounter. And we do that by living restored, redeemed lives. What are do you need restoration in? Take some time and ask the Holy Spirit to help you discover it. I need to restore my daily time with God. I’ve allowed the busyness of summer activities to distract me from some of the habits and routines I normally have in place. I’ll be asking the Holy Spirit to help me to be consistent in my time with God. Let me know in the comments what the Holy Spirit is guiding you to restore.

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You Know Who You Are.. Be That

I’d love to tell you I received this revelation while sitting on my back deck during my quiet time, with my Bible open, a cup of coffee, and my notebook. But I didn’t. I got it while watching the TV show Blue Bloods.

I was watching one of my favorite shows, Blue Bloods, when I heard the line “You know who you are; be that” from Police Commissioner Frank Reagan, known IRL as Tom Selleck. Blue Bloods is a crime drama following a family of law enforcement officers in serving the city of New York in different capacities. The show is in it’s twelfth season and I’ve been a fan now for years.

In this particular episode, a detective who had spent time previously working for the commissioner was shot in the field. Commissioner Reagan rushes to the hospital and catches her before she’s rushed into surgery. She is bleeding, holding her wound, and looks terrified and that’s when he tells her, “You know who you are; be that.”

Listen.. whoever told you that you can only hear from God sitting in a meadow with a journal may need to expand their idea of how God works! God can use anything to talk to us. Look in the Bible! Angels, Burning bushes, donkeys, children.. The truth is that as long as we’re listening, he’ll speak.

This line has captivated my thoughts now for a bit. Sometimes I feel like we are constantly searching for this ideal self. We read books about how to be better, look better, feel better, and do better but as children of God, we can obtain all of this and more in his word.

When we know who we are (children of God) we can simply be that (heirs to the promise). We are heirs to God’s promise of grace, freedom, love, acceptance, favor, and the list goes on. We have the mind of Christ! We only have to know that we do and use it.

I’ve stopped chasing this imaginary future self who looks a certain way or does certain things and have decided to just be who I am.. a beloved child of God. I’m leaning on who I am in him and trusting him to show me what’s missing (and abounding) in my life. So know who you are today.. and Be That!!