I am pleased this week to welcome guest blogger and debut author, Norma Gail Thurston Holtman, with her encouraging words about the storms we all face.
Then Peter got down out of the boat,
walked on the water
and came toward Jesus.
But when he saw the wind,
he was afraid and, beginning to sink,
cried out, “Lord, save me!”
Matthew 14:29-30
Waves crashing and rolling in the dark of night, Peter climbed out of the pitching and yawing boat and set off across the foaming waves toward Jesus who walked peacefully atop the surface of the water. Peter and his companions were not timid men. Most were fishermen, hardened to the toil of fishing boats and the rough, unpredictable waters of the Sea of Galilee. Storms were nothing new, but something about the ferocity of the roaring thunder, the lightning streaking across the sky, and the tumult of the waves frightened them on that night.
To the amazement of his companions, Peter strode across the thrashing sea with confidence, his eyes fixed on Jesus’ face. Then, in a sudden moment of panic, he glanced down in amazement at the churning water beneath his feet and his heart filled with fear of the impossible. He began to sink.
I have navigated the waters of infertility, chronic illness, my father’s sudden death, and my husband losing his job. In every trial God has proved unfailing in faithfulness and mercy. But when the outcome is uncertain, my thoughts stray to all the things that might go wrong. My heart knows God is in control, but my mind can’t see the impossible. My heart grows faint, my feet falter, and whitecaps of fear drag me under the choppy waves of doubt.
My heart and my feet might fail, but my God has promised He never will. When the storms of life threaten to pull me beneath the waves, I must remember the One who controls the tempest. God may allow me to be buffeted, but He will never let me sink. He will not fail, for our God is mighty to save.
© Copyright by Norma Gail Thurston Holtman, March 14, 2014
About the Norma Gail:
Norma Gail’s debut contemporary Christian romance, Land of My Dreams, set in Scotland and New Mexico released in April 2014. She has led weekly women’s Bible studies for 19 years. Her devotionals and poetry have appeared at ChristianDevotions.us, the Stitches Thru Time blog, and in “The Secret Place.” She is a member of American Christian Fiction Writers, FaithWriters, and New Mexico Christian Novelists. She is a former RN who lives in the mountains of New Mexico with her husband of 38 years. They have two adult children.
About the book: 
Alone and betrayed, American professor, Bonny Bryant longs for a haven of peace. She accepts a position at a small Christian college in Fort William, Scotland, craving escape from her painful past. The passionate love which develops when she meets fellow professor and sheep farmer, Kieran MacDonell, is something she never anticipated.
Kieran harbors a deep anger toward God in the face of his own devastating grief. When Bonny’s former fiancé reenters her life, Kieran’s loneliness draws him to a former student.
How will Bonny decide between her rivals? Can they set aside the past to make way for a future, or will it drive them apart?
Land of My Dreams spans the distance between New Mexico’s high desert mountains and the misty Scottish Highlands with a timeless story of overwhelming grief, undying love, and compelling faith. Buy Land of My Dreams at Amazon or Barnes & Noble.
Connect with Norma at:
https://www.facebook.com/AuthorNormaGail
https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/7874459.Norma_Gail
https://twitter.com/Norma_Gail
Thank you for hosting me on your blog today, Davalynn! You are a blessing!
Great having you, Norma. Thanks for the timely reminder of our Lord’s power and constant presence.
I feel like I’m going through a tempest, because I feel out of control. I’m wading into waters that I am not familiar with. I’m floundering over marketing with my book being launched. I think I’d rather run away. Totally an uncharted sea for me. I have handled so many other things in life better than I’m doing right now. I’ve designed and built award winning houses and never felt like crumpling down in a heap and crying! 🙂 Don’t worry, I’m surviving. I won’t jump off the edge of this comment page! Ha. Thank you, Norma and Davalynn for reminding me that God permitted me to walk on this sea, so He will keep his hands under my bent elbows! Bent elbows …. because I’m covering my face with my hands! Ha. And now I have to do math? Common core or old fashioned? 🙂 nine x 3….that’s easy.
Oh, Karen. I hear the waves crashing! But you are right – His hands are right there under your elbows. I love that image.
I love it. God never fails. So very true.
Yes, Linda. His faithfulness is sometimes beyond our understanding.
A very encouraging piece, and especially timely for me.
So glad, Elaine.