Riding the Storm
Life can be rocky. During these times, we can feel afraid, lost, or overwhelmed. The disciples found themselves in a rocky situation when they were caught in a big storm while travelling by boat on the Sea of Galilee. When the storm raged, the disciples grew more and more anxious, while Jesus, who was on the boat with them, slept. In a panic, the disciples woke Him up, shouting “...‘Lord, save us! We’re going to drown!’” (Matthew 8:25 NIV) “...‘Teacher, don’t you care if we drown?’” (Mark 4:38 NIV). Though it was reasonable to be anxious, they forgot that Jesus was with them, and they failed to perceive that He was unbothered by the storm, so much so that He was able to rest. Although they knew to go to Jesus for help, if they had faith in who He was, they would have been able to rest too.
Faced with such an overwhelming problem, the disciples wondered if Jesus really cared about them and their situation. But we can’t judge them, because we are like that sometimes too. We know we can turn to Jesus with our problems, but do we really believe that He can help us or is He even willing to help us? We come to Him with fear and unbelief, yet God is so faithful, even when we aren’t. Because of His unfailing love, we shouldn’t let our fears and doubts make us forget His grace and mercy. He is always there and He always cares. Though life is rocky, remember that He is our Rock – a constant source of strength, support, and security. Immediately after the disciples pleaded with Him, He rebuked the storm and it stopped. Then, Jesus asked the disciples, “Why are you so afraid?”
No matter how you feel, the fact is that Jesus is still in control. He is your Rock. Your feelings and emotions constantly change, but God never changes. So why are you so afraid? If you have a personal relationship with Jesus, He is with you wherever you are. He will never leave you or abandon you. Storms sometimes come to mature us, get us back on the right path, or just happen because we live in a broken world. However, remember, when you are in a storm, to stay close to God in prayer and worship and believe in His ability and willingness to help you overcome it. If your storm doesn’t suddenly stop when you pray, that does not mean that He isn’t with you or doesn’t care. That just means that there is a purpose for the storm. Ask Him what He wants you to learn from it and then trust that He will comfort and guide you, and that He is still in control. Rest in that fact.
Verses: Matthew 8:23-27 NIV, Mark 4:35-41 NIV, Psalm 18:2 NIV, Hebrews 13:5-6 NIV
I encourage you to read both passages of Jesus calming the storm in Matthew and Mark. Just like He did for the disciples, He can calm any storm in your life.
“The Lord is my rock, my fortress and my deliverer; my God is my rock, in whom I take refuge, my shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold.” (Psalm 18:2 NIV)
Hebrews 13:5,6 NIV: “Never will I leave you, never will I forsake you. So we can say with confidence, ‘The Lord is my helper, I will not be afraid…’” (Hebrews 13:5-6 NIV)
