"When You Forget: Remembering God in the Storm"

The Storm
I was reading John 6:18-20 you know the part where the disciples were rowing across the lake when a storm hit and I was reminded how I can be just like them.

“A strong wind was blowing and the waters grew rough.
When they had rowed three or three and a half miles, they saw Jesus approaching,
walking on the water, and they were terrified.
But he said to them, ‘It is I, don’t be afraid.’
Then they were willing to take him into the boat,
and immediately the boat reached the shore where they were heading.”

I know I mentioned it before but 2026 has been hard. One thing after another, like waves in a storm, have been rolling over us. I can relate to those guys out there rowing that boat through the storm, being bullied by the waves, getting drenched in disappointments with fear taking over any faith I had.

Now, don’t get me wrong, it’s not all bad. There has also been some amazing moments! I am thankful for the wonderful adventures and family time we had so far. And God has met us in a real and personal way throughout the year. We can hold both, the good and the hard, joy and sadness.

Just like the disciples, who right before this journey through the darkness, had witnessed the feeding of the Five Thousand, they now were struggling with the storm. They forgot. I forgot. We forget.

The Darkness
I think it is part of our humanity to forget the good when bad is happening.
We can get caught up in the fear and forget the faithfulness of the One who took care of the needs of the people around Him. Who time and time again has shown up for us in real and personal ways.
We can even be afraid of Jesus walking towards us because we don’t recognize Him in the darkness. We don’t see Him clearly. We can be tired of trying, believing, feeling like we’ve been rowing forever and getting nowhere.

We can allow what happening around us and our emotions overwhelming us from the inside to keep us from remembering. We forget.

The fear, the disappointments, the illness, the storm, the strained relationship will try to pick us apart. It will attempt to rip away our faith and keep from remembering the God Who has showed up for us over and over.

I googled how many times the word “remember” is used in the Bible. It said 631 times. It’s important that we remember how gracious God is. He knows us so well and loves us! Maybe we need to keep saying it over and over.

In the Old Testament, the Hebrew word zakar is used around 230 times and means: “To remember, call to mind, bring to remembrance.”
In the New Testament, the Greek word mimneskomi occurs dozens of times and means: “To remember, recall, keep in mind.

God repeatedly tells His people to remember. Remembering is an act of faith.

The Shore
Once the disciples heard Jesus’ voice and the assurance that it was Him, they let Him in the boat. They welcomed the Light into the darkness.

After I read those verses, I wrote in my journal first asking God to forgive me for letting all the distractions, fears, concerns, threats to overwhelm me. Then I wrote a list of what I forgot. Here is some of it:
“I forgot how you:
met me
loved me
rescued me
comforted me
strengthened me
encouraged me
prodded me
provided for me
showed your faithfulness to me.”

When Jesus got into the boat, they reached the shore. They were able to stop rowing, struggling, being afraid and able to rest. That’s where I am today, resting. I am learning to rest in God. It’s beautiful, sometimes hard, empowering and freeing.

My challenge to you is to first, remember. Tonight, write down three things you're afraid you've forgotten. And second, ask Jesus to illuminate your darkness. Invite Him into your boat, your struggle and learn to rest in Him.
Let’s daily walk in His faithfulness over our fear, remembering His Goodness in our lives.

Have the most amazing day!
All My Love,
~ Jodi

Don’t miss out! Subscribe below! xo