The storm does not mean God did not send you, neither does rejection or even persecution. We think if we are in God’s will there are never any downside consequences. Both OT and NT contradict that false notion. Think of Moses, David, Job, Jeremiah, Paul in prison or John on Patmos. Even Jesus, doing the will of God, was crucified. Difficulties do not suggest that we are out of God’s will, but may confirm that we are in it. This world if full of suffering, and followers of Jesus are not immune from it.
“Immediately he made the disciples get into the boat and go before him to the other side, while he dismissed the crowds…but the boat by this time was a long way from the land, beaten by the waves, for the wind was against them.” Matthew 14:22, 24 (ESV)
