Swamped by a Storm

Are you facing trouble in your business or career? As you read the following verses, be reminded that career people here are likened to seamen in ships. The great waters signify the big world of competition, an ocean of activity.

“Those who go down to the sea in ships, who do business on great waters, they see the works of the Lord, and his wonders in the deep. For he commands and raises the stormy wind, which lifts up the waves of the sea. . . Their soul melts because of trouble. They reel to and fro, and stagger like a drunken man, and are at their wits’ end” (Psalm 107:23-27, NKJV).

These people are God’s beloved saints. They are in awe of his greatness and power, but a storm breaks out that is beyond their control. It is not judgment for sin, yet suddenly waves are swamping them, swallowing up their boat. They are staggered by problems on all sides, and it looks as if their ship is going down. Suddenly they are confused and perplexed: “Their soul melts because of trouble” (Psalm 107:26).

Speaking of their careers, many people have told me, “It looks bad. I don’t know what happened, but suddenly, I’m in a mess.” They were able to solve their own problems in the past and to escape one crisis after another. With this trial, however, there seems to be no way of escape. They are mentally and physically exhausted.

How easily we forget that our loving heavenly father is our partner in our work, regardless of our career or calling. Indeed, nothing happens to us without his involvement. He has power over all of our difficulties, and he has a reason and purpose behind them all.

What can you do when your business partner has no advice and consultants cannot help you? Where do you turn when your spouse, your pastor or your best friend has nothing to say to you? I am not a businessman, but I can point you to the seamen in Psalm 107: “Then they cry out to the Lord in their trouble, and he brings them out of their distresses. He calms the storm, so that its waves are still. Then they are glad because they are quiet; so he guides them to their desired haven” (Psalm 107:28-30).