Focusing Through The Storm

"Your focus is the center of your interest and activity"
Dr. A.R. Bernard

Happy New Year, God’s favor in 2010!

This is a new season! A fresh start! Praise God for His faithfulness!

Coaching 4 Christ is excited about the goals and achievements for 2010. Our central focus for this season is transferring Godly character and wisdom to those we have influence over.

As I processed the vision God gave me, a game plan started to formulate. My meditation sketched a pattern that we often encounter and uncover while on assignment for Christ. We start the race motivated, determined, fired up; yet, unaware of the storm clouds over the horizon. As the storm gains momentum and thrust its devastating power across the land, we gather our belongings and race for shelter.  The dramatic impact of the cyclone leads to disorientation and confusion.  The imposing winds and monstrous power dampens our spirit. When the storm strikes its pivotal point, abandonment and fear surface to replace faith and focus.

Jesus was in the rear of the boat, sleeping on a cushion. The disciples woke him up, shouting, “Teacher, don’t you care that we’re going to drown?” (Mark 4:38 NLT)

It’s not that Jesus was not concerned for His disciples.  Christ’s faith and confidence rest with His Father.  Jesus knew the power for the storm rest in the hands of His Father.  Christ’s concern was focused on his disciples, moreso than the storm.  Rev. Lewis Shaffer writes in his book, Keep Your Eyes on Jesus, “God has to take the storm out of us before He can take us out of the storms of life.”

In this case, Christ rebuked the wind and rain, but that is not always the case. When the winds rise and the storms of temptation strike, we must focus our attention on the one who is greater than the storm.  We are commanded to keep our focus high on God. We may have to cry out like the disciples “Master, help us!”  And Christ is always there to give us a helping hand.  We are saved by hope (Romans 8:24).

We have a rescuer steated on the right hand of the Father.  God wants us to take heart and not be afraid of the storms that confront us in life.  If we maintain our focus on heaven we will not fail.  The danger occurs when we are separated from God during the storm (Isaiah 43:2, Romans 8:38, 39).

Peter asked the Lord for consent to walk the water.  Peter desired to mimic Christ.  Christ granted him permission saying, “Come.”  Peter wasn’t walk on water, he was  walking on the word, the very command of Christ. But when the raging storm came he took his faith and focus off Christ and placed his attention on the storm.  Does this sound familiar?  As Peter began to sink he cried saying, “Lord, save me.”  Rev. Lewis Shaffer reminds us that Peter’s short prayer “Lord, save me” is one we should follow in our daily lives. Christ did not let him drown but offered a saving hand (Matthew 14:22-33).  


"The voice your listening to during times of testing, trails and tribulation is critical. Whatever voice your hearing can determine your destiny. Because counsel determines destiny"   Dr. A.R. Bernard

I often coach my players to maintain their faith and focus on the mission and not get sidetracked by activities on or off the field that are contrary to the ultimate goal.  We cannot get distracted by sudden storms that attempt to sway us in a negative direction.  As coaches our mission is to instill integrity and character into our players to before better citizens in the classroom, community, home, athletic fields and courts and life.  We must minister our student/athletes to possess the full embodiment of Godly integrity and character.  Christ is the positive force to keep us in alignment with the word of God.  He will save us when we call out His name.

Job was faithful and upright before God. He thought he knew the Creator, but after careful examination he had to admit his lack of understanding.  It wasn’t until he had weathered the storms of life that he declared: “I had only heard about you before, but now I have seen you with my own eyes” (Job 42:5 NLT).

Experience is a good teacher but true wisdom only comes when the principles of God are applied to every day life. The word of God fails to become revelation knowledge until it is experienced in a victory for Christ.

The storms of life and the winds of change are inevitable, but how we navigate through the storms will determine our faith and focus. 

Coaching4CHRIST

“Transfusing CHRIST into Sports Culture"