Finding Safety in God Amidst Life's Storms

 

Summary

In our journey of faith, questions are not only welcome but essential. Jesus himself asked many questions, and they are a vital part of our growth. Today, we explore a profound question: How do we help people in pain feel safe with God? In a world that often feels unsafe, where bad things happen and uncertainty looms, finding safety in God is crucial. Philosopher Dallas Willard once posed the question, "Was Jesus nuts?" when considering Jesus' teachings on worry. Jesus taught that we shouldn't worry about our lives because God provides for us, just as He does for the lilies and the birds. This teaching suggests that the world is a perfectly safe place for us to be because of God's presence and care.

However, this idea can be challenging to grasp, especially when our circumstances feel anything but safe. The story of Jesus calming the storm illustrates this struggle. The disciples had faith in Jesus but not the faith of Jesus. They believed He could help them but didn't fully trust in the safety of living in God's hands. Jesus' presence, whether calming the storm or calming us within it, is what makes us truly safe.

Our safety is not found in people or places but in God. John, Jesus' friend, summarized Jesus' message as "God is light, and in Him, there is no darkness at all." This divine attachment, akin to a child's attachment to a parent, creates a secure base from which we can navigate the world. Many of us suffer from a kind of divine attachment disorder, lacking the sense of safety and well-being that comes from being deeply connected to God.

To find safety in God, we must form this attachment by spending time with Him and reminding ourselves of His presence. When we feel pain or fear, we should reach out to others and to God, carrying with us the truth that God is light. In this world, which will pass away, God remains forever, making it a perfectly safe place for us to be.

Key Takeaways:

1. The Role of Questions in Faith: Questions are not the enemy of faith but a vital part of it. Jesus asked many questions, and they help us grow and understand our relationship with God better. Embracing questions can lead us to deeper insights and a more profound connection with God. [00:48]

2. Finding Safety in God: In a world that often feels unsafe, true safety is found in God. Jesus taught that we shouldn't worry because God provides for us, just as He does for nature. This teaching challenges us to trust in God's presence and care, even when circumstances seem dire. [02:50]

3. The Faith of Jesus: The story of Jesus calming the storm illustrates the difference between having faith in Jesus and having the faith of Jesus. While the disciples believed Jesus could help, they didn't fully trust in the safety of living in God's hands. Our goal is to develop the faith of Jesus, trusting in God's presence and care. [05:58]

4. Divine Attachment: Our safety is not found in people or places but in our attachment to God. Like a child's attachment to a parent, this divine attachment creates a secure base from which we can navigate the world. Many of us suffer from a kind of divine attachment disorder, lacking the sense of safety and well-being that comes from being deeply connected to God. [09:46]

5. God is Light: John summarized Jesus' message as "God is light, and in Him, there is no darkness at all." This truth reminds us that God is trustworthy and good, and it is in His presence that we find true safety. By carrying this truth with us, we can face the uncertainties of life with confidence. [10:42]

Youtube Chapters:

- [00:00] - Welcome
- [00:26] - The Fellowship of the Withered Hand
- [00:36] - The Importance of Questions
- [01:08] - Safety and Pain
- [02:01] - Dallas Willard's Insight
- [02:28] - Jesus' Teachings on Worry
- [03:25] - Is the World Safe?
- [03:48] - Paragliding Experience
- [04:24] - The Reality of God's Kingdom
- [05:05] - The Story of Jesus Calming the Storm
- [06:21] - Living in God's Hand
- [07:06] - John's Message: God is Light
- [08:38] - Divine Attachment
- [09:59] - Forming Attachment with God
- [10:42] - Carrying the Truth of God's Light

Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide

Bible Reading:
1. Mark 4:35-41 - The story of Jesus calming the storm.
2. 1 John 1:5 - "This is the message we have heard from him and declare to you: God is light; in him, there is no darkness at all."

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Observation Questions:

1. In the story of Jesus calming the storm, what was Jesus doing when the storm arose, and how did the disciples react? (Mark 4:35-41)
2. How does John describe the message he received from Jesus in 1 John 1:5? What does this tell us about God's nature?
3. According to the sermon, what is the difference between having faith in Jesus and having the faith of Jesus? [05:58]
4. What analogy does the sermon use to describe our relationship with God, and how does it relate to the concept of safety? [09:46]

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Interpretation Questions:

1. What might it mean for someone to have the "faith of Jesus" as opposed to just faith in Jesus, especially in challenging circumstances? [05:58]
2. How does the idea that "God is light, and in Him, there is no darkness at all" influence a believer's perception of safety in the world? [08:04]
3. In what ways does the concept of divine attachment, as described in the sermon, challenge or affirm your understanding of your relationship with God? [09:46]
4. How can the story of Jesus calming the storm be seen as a metaphor for finding peace in the midst of life's challenges? [06:21]

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Application Questions:

1. Reflect on a time when you felt unsafe or worried. How might the teaching that "this world is a perfectly safe place for you to be" because of God's presence change your perspective? [03:25]
2. What are some practical steps you can take to develop a deeper "divine attachment" with God, similar to a child's attachment to a parent? [09:46]
3. How can you remind yourself of the truth that "God is light" during moments of fear or uncertainty? What specific practices could help reinforce this belief? [10:42]
4. Think of a situation where you need to trust in God's provision, like the lilies and the birds. What is one action you can take this week to demonstrate that trust? [02:50]
5. Identify a person in your life who might be experiencing pain or fear. How can you help them feel safe with God, and what role can you play in supporting them? [01:08]
6. How can you cultivate the "faith of Jesus" in your daily life, especially when facing storms or challenges? What specific changes might you need to make in your mindset or actions? [05:58]
7. Consider the idea that safety is not found in people or places but in God. How does this influence your approach to relationships and environments that feel unsafe? [06:42]

Devotional

Day 1: Embracing Questions as a Path to Growth
Questions are not the enemy of faith but a vital part of it. Jesus asked many questions, and they help us grow and understand our relationship with God better. Embracing questions can lead us to deeper insights and a more profound connection with God. In our spiritual journey, questions are essential for growth. They challenge us to explore our beliefs and deepen our understanding of God. Jesus himself used questions to teach and provoke thought, showing us that inquiry is a path to spiritual maturity. By embracing questions, we open ourselves to new insights and a more profound connection with God. [00:48]

"Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives, and the one who seeks finds, and to the one who knocks it will be opened." (Matthew 7:7-8, ESV)

Reflection: What is one question about your faith that you have been hesitant to ask? How can you seek answers to this question today?


Day 2: Trusting in God's Provision
In a world that often feels unsafe, true safety is found in God. Jesus taught that we shouldn't worry because God provides for us, just as He does for nature. This teaching challenges us to trust in God's presence and care, even when circumstances seem dire. Trusting in God's provision means believing that He cares for us as He does for all creation. Despite the uncertainties of life, Jesus assures us that we are safe in God's hands. This trust requires us to let go of worry and embrace the peace that comes from knowing God is in control. [02:50]

"Therefore I tell you, do not be anxious about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink, nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing?" (Matthew 6:25, ESV)

Reflection: What is one area of your life where you struggle to trust God's provision? How can you begin to release your worries to Him today?


Day 3: Developing the Faith of Jesus
The story of Jesus calming the storm illustrates the difference between having faith in Jesus and having the faith of Jesus. While the disciples believed Jesus could help, they didn't fully trust in the safety of living in God's hands. Our goal is to develop the faith of Jesus, trusting in God's presence and care. Developing the faith of Jesus means moving beyond belief in His power to embodying His trust in God. The disciples' fear during the storm reveals their struggle to fully trust in God's protection. By cultivating the faith of Jesus, we learn to rest in God's presence, even amidst life's storms. [05:58]

"And he awoke and rebuked the wind and said to the sea, 'Peace! Be still!' And the wind ceased, and there was a great calm. He said to them, 'Why are you so afraid? Have you still no faith?'" (Mark 4:39-40, ESV)

Reflection: How can you practice developing the faith of Jesus in your daily life? What steps can you take to trust in God's presence more fully?


Day 4: Cultivating Divine Attachment
Our safety is not found in people or places but in our attachment to God. Like a child's attachment to a parent, this divine attachment creates a secure base from which we can navigate the world. Many of us suffer from a kind of divine attachment disorder, lacking the sense of safety and well-being that comes from being deeply connected to God. Cultivating divine attachment involves nurturing a deep connection with God, similar to a child's bond with a parent. This attachment provides a secure foundation for navigating life's challenges. Many struggle with divine attachment disorder, feeling disconnected from God's love and safety. By intentionally seeking God's presence, we can strengthen this bond and find true security. [09:46]

"Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in me." (John 15:4, ESV)

Reflection: What practices can you incorporate into your daily routine to strengthen your attachment to God? How can you remind yourself of His presence throughout the day?


Day 5: Living in the Light of God's Presence
John summarized Jesus' message as "God is light, and in Him, there is no darkness at all." This truth reminds us that God is trustworthy and good, and it is in His presence that we find true safety. By carrying this truth with us, we can face the uncertainties of life with confidence. Living in the light of God's presence means embracing the truth that God is good and trustworthy. In Him, there is no darkness, and His presence offers us true safety. By holding onto this truth, we can navigate life's uncertainties with confidence, knowing that God is our constant source of light and guidance. [10:42]

"This is the message we have heard from him and proclaim to you, that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all." (1 John 1:5, ESV)

Reflection: How can you remind yourself of God's light and presence in moments of fear or uncertainty? What practical steps can you take to live in the light of His presence daily?

Quotes


and growth is questions sometimes in communities of faith questioning is frowned on or looked down upon as though it's opposed to faith but actually jesus asked more questions than anybody and questions are an indispensable part of life and growth and so we're taking a couple weeks to walk through some questions [00:40:00]

how do we help people in pain feel safe with god and i am no biologist but i think a lot about safety these days and in so many ways feel like i'm living in an unsafe world and feel like not just that i've seen bad things happen and bad things happen all around the world [01:17:52]

and the reason for that is that there is a heavenly father and if we look at the world jesus says part of what we'll see is that god provides god provides for the lilies of the field and god provides for the birds of the air there is a kind of provision and watch care [02:28:40]

and god is everywhere and that means god is with you and so if you turn your life over to him basically dallas said jesus is teaching jesus's message could be put like this this world is a perfectly safe place for you to be and of course that raises the question was jesus not [03:06:40]

and what jesus says what he teaches is really about reality that we live in the reality of the kingdom of god now often we don't think that part of our difficulty is that we are wired we have been embodied and habituated to think that earthly reality physical reality is all that there is [04:21:04]

and my problem is that although i believe or want to believe in jesus i don't yet believe what jesus believed in the bible there's a story it's told several places the gospel of mark is one of them when jesus and his disciples are in a boat and then a storm comes up [04:57:52]

and sometimes jesus might calm the storm that you are in sometimes jesus might calm you in this storm but it doesn't really matter because you live in the hand of god now i have a hard time seeing that so how do i move towards that how do we help people in pain [06:28:80]

and it will create for them dan siegel says a haven of safety see the safety is not out there the safety is in here and i think that that picture of an attachment john bolby called it a secure base from which the child can explore navigate journey in this world [09:11:20]

and i think a lot of us have a kind of divine attachment disorder and so we're invited to come before god and form the attachment by being with him and hearing again from jesus this world is a perfectly safe place for you to be so today if you find yourself in pain [09:54:80]

and say to them here's what i'm carrying would you remind me that god is with me and you might go to god today you might take that statement from john jesus's good friend and carry it with you god is light god is light and in him there is no darkness at all [10:25:44]

and because of that because this world will come and go but god is forever this world is a perfectly safe place for you to be i will see you in this world god willing [10:50:00]

and in him there is no darkness at all god is light there is nothing bad there is nothing mean there is nothing untrustworthy there is nothing shadowy there is nothing duplicitous there is nothing nothing distance god is light that was jesus basic message according to john [08:11:28]

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Transcript
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