Sailing Through The Storms of Life
Pastors Rodney & Adonica Howard-BrownePublish date: 05/02/2026
Foundation Scriptures:
Psalm 107:23–31 NKJV
1. The Journey of Life.
a. Life is likened unto a journey across the sea.
b. There are seasons of calm—and there are seasons of storm.
c. The Psalmist shows us something powerful:
- The storm did not mean God was absent
- The storm revealed the power of God
- The storm became the platform for deliverance
d. They went down into the sea, they saw the works of the Lord, and they experienced His wonders in the deep.
2. Storms Come.
a. In life, storms come.
b. Jesus Himself spoke of this:
c. Matthew 7:24-27 NKJV –– “Therefore whoever hears these sayings of Mine, and does them, I will liken him to a wise man who built his house on the rock: 25 and the rain descended, the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house; and it did not fall, for it was founded on the rock. 26 “But everyone who hears these sayings of Mine, and does not do them, will be like a foolish man who built his house on the sand: 27 and the rain descended, the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house; and it fell. And great was its fall.”
d. The house represents your life:
- Every life will be tested
- Every foundation will be revealed
- Every structure will be shaken
e. The difference is not the storm—the difference is the foundation.
3. Jesus Never Promised No Storms.
a. He did not say: “You will never face trouble.”
b. He said: “Build your life on the Rock.”
c. Make preparations:
d. Before the storm: Be a doer of the Word.
e. During the storm: Apply the Word.
f. It is not enough to hear the Word—you must live the Word.
g. The key to survival:
- Know the Word
- Do the Word
- Stand on the Word
h. This is the only way through the storm.
4. Calming The Storm.
a. Storms are unexpected.
b. They come suddenly, uninvited, and without warning.
c. But the question is not: “Will a storm come?”
d. The question is: “Who is in your boat?”
e. Matthew 8:23–27 KJV –– And when he was entered into a ship, his disciples followed him. 24 And, behold, there arose a great tempest in the sea, insomuch that the ship was covered with the waves: but he was asleep. 25 And his disciples came to him, and awoke him, saying, Lord, save us: we perish. 26 And he saith unto them, Why are ye fearful, O ye of little faith? Then he arose, and rebuked the winds and the sea; and there was a great calm. 27 But the men marvelled, saying, What manner of man is this, that even the winds and the sea obey him!
f. This was no ordinary storm.
- “Tempest” (seismos): a shaking, like an earthquake
- “Storm” (lailaps): a violent, furious squall (Mark 4:37)
g. This storm:
- Came suddenly
- Was violent
- Threatened their lives
h. Everything was topsy-turvy.
5. Fear and Faith.
a. The disciples were afraid.
b. But Jesus was asleep. Why?
c. Because fear comes when you focus on the storm.
d. But peace comes when you know Who is with you.
e. They cried out: “Lord, save us: we perish!”
f. And Jesus responded: He corrected their fear and He rebuked the storm.
g. Immediately, there was a great calm.
h. If Jesus is in your boat:
- You do not have to fear
- You are not at the mercy of the storm
i. You can:
- Take authority in the Name of Jesus
- Speak to the wind
- Command the waves
j. “Peace, be still!”
6. Jesus Is Lord Over the Storm.
a. He is Your Shelter.
b. Isaiah 25:3-4 NKJV –– Therefore the strong people will glorify You… For You have been a strength to the poor, A strength to the needy in his distress, A refuge from the storm, A shade from the heat…
c. He is your refuge, your protection, and your covering.
d. He rules the storm.
e. Psalms 89:9 AMPC –– You rule the raging of the sea; when its waves arise, You still them.
f. He brings peace.
g. Psalms 107:28-30 NKJV –– Then they cry out to the Lord in their trouble, And He brings them out of their distresses. 29 He calms the storm, So that its waves are still. 30 Then they are glad because they are quiet; So He guides them to their desired haven.
h. The outcome of the storm is that the Lord:
- Brings them out
- Calms the storm
- Guides them
- And brings them to their desired haven
i. The storm was not the end—just the passage.
7. Peace, Be Still.
a. Storms will come, but they do not determine your outcome—the Word does.
b. When your life is built on the rock, your faith is in Him, and your eyes are on Jesus.
c. Then:
- The storm will not destroy you
- The waves will not sink you
- The wind will not carry you away
d. Because He is in your boat.
e. And when He speaks, “Peace… be still!”
f. Everything must obey.
g. If you cry out to the Lord in your trouble:
- He will bring you out
- He will calm the storm
- He will guide you safely
h. And you will say: “Oh that men would give thanks, and praise the Lord for his goodness, and for his wonderful works to the children of men!” (Psalms 107:31)