In Isaiah 41:10, the Lord says, “Do not fear, for I am with you; Do not anxiously look about you, for I am your God.  I will strengthen you, surely I will help you, Surely I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.” (NAS).  

The Amplified Bible translation puts it this way: “Do not look around you in terror and be dismayed, for I am your God.”  God is reassuring Israel that when other nations are angry at them and contend with them and quarrel with them and war against them (Isa.41:11-13), He is still with them.

When the disciples were in the stormy sea and Jesus came to them walking on the sea, He said, “Take courage, it is I; do not be afraid,” – very much like what is said in Isaiah 41:10: “Do not fear, for I am with you; Do not anxiously look about you, for I am your God…”

The Lord is saying: don’t anxiously look around you at the unpredictable wind and waves or any adverse circumstances you may go through.  Instead set your mind on the Lord as your God Who has authority over all.  He’s greater than any adversity, and He is your Savior Who is teaching you to have faith in Him through whatever. 

To have God’s strength and help and reassurance, we must stop making our highest concern our circumstances.  Instead make your highest concern that of loving Jesus, abiding in Him, and walking through the circumstances with Him.  Make the issue your faith in Him.  That’s the goal – your faith.  For everyone born of God overcomes the world. This is the victory that has overcome the world, even our faith (1 John 5:4).

What needs to be settled and secure is our faith, not our circumstances.  This is not Heaven, which is perfect.  This is earth, which is imperfect.  When Jesus stretched out His hand and saved Peter, He said, “You of so little faith, why did you doubt?”  Jesus didn’t apologize to Peter for the wind, the waves, the stress, and the trouble he and the disciples were going through.  Jesus the Creator of the world did not make an issue of the adversity.  He didn’t say a word about it.  What He did say was, “Take courage, it is I; don’t be afraid…  Come… You of so little faith, why did you doubt?” 

Jesus pointed to Himself and told Peter and the disciples what to do, how to act in adversity, and what attitude they were to have.  Jesus is more concerned about your obedience and faith in Him in this world than the adversity itself.  And He will save you. He may save you from the fire.  He may save you through the fire.  He most certainly will save you beyond the fire when you get to Heaven.

How you handle adversity, difficulties, and the unpredictable with obedience and faith in the Lord is what your journey is about.  Serve His purpose for your life, accepting adversity which He uses to strengthen your faith in Him and to glorify Him.