Introduction: The storms and trials of life are as sure to come your way as the breath you just took. Some people seem to live in the midst of a storm, but none of us are exempt from at least passing through them. Storms are not fun and often leave us with damage that we have to deal with. It is important for us to realize though, that the storms of this life bring lessons that we cannot learn apart from them. We must work not to get bitter in the storm but rather rejoice that our Father is allowing us another opportunity to learn.

1. The Reasons We Go Through Storms
1. God sends storms to draw us close to Him
2. Satan attacks with the permission of God (Job 1:12And the LORD said unto Satan, Behold, all that he hath is in thy power; only upon himself put not forth thine hand. So Satan went forth from the presence of the LORD.
   See All...; 2:6Shall not all these take up a parable against him, and a taunting proverb against him, and say, Woe to him that increaseth that which is not his! how long? and to him that ladeth himself with thick clay!
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3. Troubles are part of life (Job 14:1-2 [1] Man that is born of a woman is of few days and full of trouble. [2] He cometh forth like a flower, and is cut down: he fleeth also as a shadow, and continueth not.
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2. Storms Give a Better Revelation of Us
1. The disciples were sailing just fine on their own during the calm – “but as they sailed He fell asleep” (Luke 8:23But as they sailed he fell asleep: and there came down a storm of wind on the lake; and they were filled with water, and were in jeopardy.
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2. The storm came and was causing problems but the disciples were still trying to do it own their own – “they were filled with water” (Luke 8:23But as they sailed he fell asleep: and there came down a storm of wind on the lake; and they were filled with water, and were in jeopardy.
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3. When the waves filled the boat and they were in trouble they turned to Him – “they came to him” (Luke 8:24And they came to him, and awoke him, saying, Master, master, we perish. Then he arose, and rebuked the wind and the raging of the water: and they ceased, and there was a calm.
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3. Storms Demonstrate the Faithfulness of God
1. When the sea was calm and the disciples were sailing they gave no thought to the fact that the Lord was keeping the seas calm
2. When the storm got out of control the disciples were able to see that Jesus was faithful to calm it
4. Storms Give Us a Better Revelation of Christ
1. The disciples apparently did not know that the wind and the water had to obey Jesus (Luke 8:25And he said unto them, Where is your faith? And they being afraid wondered, saying one to another, What manner of man is this! for he commandeth even the winds and water, and they obey him.
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2. This showed them a side of Jesus that they could not have seen without the storm.
3. Those who were not in the storm had no idea what Jesus could do.
4. This event proved Jesus Christ to be God (Psalm 65:5-7 [5] By terrible things in righteousness wilt thou answer us, O God of our salvation; who art the confidence of all the ends of the earth, and of them that are afar off upon the sea: [6] Which by his strength setteth fast the mountains; being girded with power: [7] Which stilleth the noise of the seas, the noise of their waves, and the tumult of the people.
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5. This event showed that Jesus comes to the aid of His own – “he arose, and rebuked the wind and the raging of the water” (Luke 8:24And they came to him, and awoke him, saying, Master, master, we perish. Then he arose, and rebuked the wind and the raging of the water: and they ceased, and there was a calm.
   See All...)(See Psalm 78:65-66 [65] Then the LORD awaked as one out of sleep, and like a mighty man that shouteth by reason of wine. [66] And he smote his enemies in the hinder parts: he put them to a perpetual reproach.
   See All...)(Daniel 3:23-27 [23] And these three men, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, fell down bound into the midst of the burning fiery furnace. [24] Then Nebuchadnezzar the king was astonied, and rose up in haste, and spake, and said unto his counsellors, Did not we cast three men bound into the midst of the fire? They answered and said unto the king, True, O king. [25] He answered and said, Lo, I see four men loose, walking in the midst of the fire, and they have no hurt; and the form of the fourth is like the Son of God. [26] Then Nebuchadnezzar came near to the mouth of the burning fiery furnace, and spake, and said, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, ye servants of the most high God, come forth, and come hither. Then Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, came forth of the midst of the fire. [27] And the princes, governors, and captains, and the king's counsellors, being gathered together, saw these men, upon whose bodies the fire had no power, nor was an hair of their head singed, neither were their coats changed, nor the smell of fire had passed on them.
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5. Storms Give Us a Longing for Heaven (Revelation 21:4And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away.
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1. Tears - If we had no tears we could not long for the day when God shall wipe away all tears.
2. Death – If we had no separation in this life we wouldn’t know the joys awaiting us in a land where there is no separation.
3. Sorrow – Without the heartaches, troubles and sorrow we wouldn’t be longing for a land where no sorrow can enter.
4. Pain – If you had no pains, or ailments in this body you wouldn’t know the blessing of receiving a glorified body and dwelling in a land where no sickness can harm you.

Conclusion:  Are you going through a storm? Maybe the Lord sent you into this storm so that you will draw closer to Him.  Maybe this storm is nothing more than an attack from Satan.  Maybe it is just part of this life.  Whatever it is, don’t give up. If the disciples had given up before they awoke the Master, they might have perished. They certainly would not have had the revelation that Christ is the Master of the elements of this world. What is the Lord trying to show you?  If you’ll trust in Him, the fellowship experienced in the midst of this storm may very well be the sweetest fellowship you will experience on this side of eternity.