Let’s Cross Over: Tips for Making Life’s Transitions Smooth

Follow the right leaders. When Jesus said, “Let us cross over,” He was
implying that the disciples must follow Him to transition to the next place.
Jesus always led and the disciples always followed.

The pattern is the same for us. We must learn to follow the right
leader—Jesus. He is the only one who knows where you are going and how to get
you there.

Leave the multitude behind. The disciples left the multitude behind
and followed Jesus (v. 36). They left the safety of the crowds because they
wanted to be part of something bigger.

The multitude mentality is one of mediocrity and negativity. The multitude is
more concerned about conformity than commitment. It is not easy to be different
and go after something better than the norm, but God is calling us to step out
and leave the multitude mentality behind.

Get into the boat. A boat is a vessel that enables you to do something
you could not do in your own ability. The disciples had a physical boat, but our
boat is the local church.

The local church is the vessel God has constructed to help us reach our
God-given destinies. It is the vehicle that provides protection, direction,
encouragement and accountability. The church is a place where people's gifts can
be released to expand God's kingdom.

Go to a church that has Jesus right in the middle of it. Go to a place where
they preach Jesus, worship Jesus, follow Jesus and live according to the
teachings of Jesus. It is time to get into the boat.

Watch your confession. The disciples got right in the middle of a
fierce storm and began to declare they were going to die. Yet Jesus said they
were going to go over, not under. The disciples were contradicting the words of
Jesus Himself!

We must be careful about what we declare, especially during the storms of
life. Remember to say what God says about a situation; don't let the situations
tell you what to believe. Find a promise in the Word to stand on and believe
that it will be fulfilled, no matter what you are going through.

Learn to handle the storm. The Bible tells us the boat was filling up
with water during the storm. The situation was getting worse, and Jesus was
asleep!

What do you do when the Savior is seemingly silent in the midst of your
storm? I have learned to remember the last thing God spoke to me and hang on by
faith until I hear something different from Him.

God is not shaken when your storm hits. Notice what Jesus finally did. He got
up and rebuked the wind and spoke to the sea.

The wind represents the unseen forces, and the waves represent the seen
forces. Not everything is caused by the devil. However, some situations do
require spiritual warfare, and we are called to take authority over the forces
of darkness that are at war with us.

Allow your faith to grow. Jesus looked at His disciples and said,
“'Why are you fearful, O you of little faith?'” (Matt. 8:26).

Don't let the storms of life steal your faith and prevent you from reaching
your God-given destiny. Get to know Jesus during the quiet times of life so that
you can trust Him in the storms.