Do not let the tides that come against you prevail. Do not even let them overwhelm you and cause you to fear. They are like clouds in the sky which are easily driven away. People without faith will say that this is not true, but those who believe will know that I speak the truth. However, I must instruct my children in my ways so that the tidal waves of anxiety do not sweep you away.

First, keep your hearts for me. When you give your hearts to worldly possessions, then you grow anxious that they can be swept away. Second, do not try to stand alone. A lonely believer is difficult to protect. You must bond yourself with others by a unity which flows from charity and sharing. Third, you must not use the world’s methods. The world lies. You must be a person of truth. The world steals. You must be a person of honesty. The world plots its goals. You must be a person of simplicity. The world limits its care. You must reach out to all who seek your help.

Now, I will come to the heart of my teaching. In the middle of trials, the problem is the imagination which looks ahead and can conjure up many different scenes that never occur. A power of fear grows like a tidal wave that threatens to destroy and sweep away.

Place yourself for a moment at the ocean’s edge. When a wave comes, the child clings to his parent who lifts the child up. The wave passes by. Now the child knows what to do whenever a wave is coming. They cling to the parent who lifts them up, time and again.

So, it is with you. The tides coming against you will not prevail if you come to me and allow me to lift you up. After each wave, you will have greater confidence. You will remember all the waves that did not prevail against you. You will know not to wander from me. You will be aware that waves can come suddenly and with great force. You will not want to be caught far away from me.

Come, O reader, together we can conquer the whole ocean of life. We can prevail against the greatest of tidal waves and be found standing strong when my Son comes for you in his glory.