Calm in the Storm

By February 19, 2013Blog

“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.” Matthew 8:26

Many are encouraged by Dr. Ben Carson’s speech at the National Prayer Breakfast last week. Did he not rebuke the winds of untruth and the seas of dishonesty, political spin and corruption? His demeanor was calm as he called out the truth. His tone carried a message of conviction. As a faithful follower of Jesus Christ, February 8, 2013, was certainly not the first time Dr. Carson has used an opportunity to correct the teaching of others.

Praise God for His work in Ben Carson’s life! A man who has become a successful American neurosurgeon and the Director of Pediatric Neurosurgery at John Hopkins Hospital nearly killed a friend in an argument.

Despite his academic successes, Ben Carson still had a raging temper that translated into violent behavior. One time he tried to hit his mother with a hammer because she disagreed with his choice of clothes. Another time, he inflicted a major head injury on a classmate in a dispute over a locker.

In a final incident, Ben nearly stabbed to death a friend after arguing over a choice of radio stations. The only thing that prevented a tragic occurrence was the knife blade broke on the friend’s belt buckle. Not knowing the extent of his friend’s injury, Ben ran home and locked himself in the bathroom with a Bible. Terrified by his own actions, he started praying, asking God to help him find a way to deal with his temper. He found salvation in the book of Proverbs in a passage that went, “Better a patient man than a warrior, a man who controls his temper than one who takes a city.” Proverbs 16:32

To read more go to http://www.biography.com/people/ben-carson-475422?page=1

God’s touch on Ben Carson’s life is apparent. God Almighty took a violent young man and molded him. In an interview by Sean Hannity, Dr. Carson was asked how he dared speak that way in front of President Obama. Ben’s reply was something to the effect, “It didn’t matter who was sitting next to me. Before I speak, I pray and ask God to direct me.”

“Who gave Himself for us that He might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto Himself a people of His own, zealous of good works.” Titus 2:14

“And the servant of the Lord must not strive, but be gentle unto all men, apt to teach, patient, In meekness instructing those that oppose him, if God perhaps, will give them repentance to the acknowledging of the truth, And that they may recover themselves out of the snare of the devil, who are taken captive by him at his will.” 2 Timothy 2:24-26

Our arguments for life are fought in the heavenly places. The battle is not ours to fight.

“For we have not a high priest who cannot be touched with feelings of our infirmities, but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin. Let us, therefore, come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.” Hebrews 4:15, 16

“For Christ also hath once suffered for sins, the just for the unjust, that he might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh but made alive by the Spirit, By whom also he went and preached unto the spirits in prison,……Who is gone into heaven, and is on the right hand of God., angels and authorities and powers being made subject unto him.” I Peter 3:18-19, 22

We go boldly to the throne of grace that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in our time of need. Praise God for the opportunities to be His servant.

This week’s guest blogger is Linda Thorson, CWA of North Dakota’s State Records Correspondent.