Navigating Life’s Storms with Jesus

There is a powerful message in the heart of the Gospels. Actually there are tons of them. But the one I want to look at today is Jesus’ call to become fishers of men. This call is intertwined with themes of navigating life’s storms with Jesus as our friend and security.

In Matthew 4, Jesus called out to Peter and Andrew, “Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men.” This simple yet profound invitation marks the beginning of their journey as His disciples. But what does it mean to be a fisher of men? And how do we reconcile this with the inevitable storms and challenges we face in life?

Being a fisher of men means reaching out, sharing the love and truth of Jesus Christ, and bringing others into the safety and salvation found in Him. Just as fishermen cast their nets into the sea, we are called to cast the message of the Gospel into the world, inviting others to experience the transformative power of Christ.

What I think we overlook is that our testimony has become an important part of the Gospel. Our life right now speaks of the goodness of God. It shows, or should show, that faith works. If I never get to tell you that you owe God 10% of your earnings because tithing is biblical, there’s something else. If I never get to share with you that my favorite scripture is Amos 9, because I get excited by the idea of God overtaking me with blessings, there’s something else. Before I ever open my mouth or take to my keyboard to share a message, my life has already spoken for me. But what is it saying?

As we embark on this mission of sharing Jesus, we often encounter storms—difficulties, trials, and temptations that threaten to rock our boats and overwhelm us. These storms can take many forms: personal struggles, family issues, health problems, or societal pressures. They can make us feel lost, afraid, and uncertain.

The disciples experienced such a storm in Matthew 8. As they were crossing the Sea of Galilee, a terrible storm arose, and the waves swept over the boat. Despite being experienced fishermen, they were terrified and woke Jesus, crying out, “Lord, save us! We’re going to drown!”

Jesus responded with calm authority. He rebuked the winds and the waves, and there was complete calm. He then asked His disciples, “You of little faith, why are you so afraid?” This story reminds us that Jesus is sovereign over all our storms. When we are caught in life raging, we can turn to Him. He is our friend, our security, and our Savior who calms the seas of our lives.

In the same way, when we answer Jesus’ call to be fishers of men, we are not alone in our efforts. Jesus reaches out and grabs our hearts, just as He reached out to Peter when he began to sink after walking on water in Matthew 14. Peter cried out, “Lord, save me!” and immediately, Jesus reached out His hand and caught him.

This imagery is powerful. Jesus doesn’t just call us to a mission and leave us to fend for ourselves. He actively reaches out to us, takes hold of us, and secures us with His love and grace. It is His grasp on our hearts that transforms us into followers of Christ and sustains us through every challenge.

As a Christian life coach, my role is to guide others through their storms and help them recognize that Jesus is always there, ready to reach out and bring them peace. I am called to remind them of His presence and His power, to encourage them to trust in Him, and to help them see the bigger picture of His kingdom work.

Let us all embrace our calling as fishers of men, confident that Jesus is with us through every storm. Let us cast our nets wide, sharing His love and truth with those around us, and trust that He will calm the seas and bring others safely to shore. God bless.