Just as an occurrence of bad weather can stop us in our tracks and disrupt our plans, so can the storms of life. In these storms, we experience uncertainty and fear when we are suddenly bombarded with trying or challenging circumstances. On this certain day, Jesus’ disciples walked with Him, and were privileged to personally see and experience His wisdom, gentle love, and mighty miracle power manifested.
Later that evening, Jesus said to his companions, “Let’s go over to the other side of the lake.” They all got into the boat, and Jesus went to sleep in the stern. Then a furious windstorm arose, and the waves beat on the boat so that it was filling with water. The disciples were very afraid and in desperation woke the Master and said: “Don’t you care that we are perishing?”
When storms arise in our lives, we are often like the disciples. Instead of holding on to our beliefs that Christ is love, faithful, and true- fear and doubt enter our hearts and minds filling us with anxiety and unbelief. Jesus answered the disciples’ accusation with questions: “Why are you so timid and fearful? How is it that you have no faith, no firm trust in Me?” He wanted them to look within their hearts….honestly look …. And work through the negatives and untruth they were full of, while they learned to courageously push forward toward holding on to belief in His positive Truth. This would help build up their future faith. He was not mad at the disciples for lacking faith in Him, and He did not withhold deliverance from the problem because of it. He arose and rebuked the wind and sea, saying, “Peace, be still!” Then the wind ceased, and there was a perfect peacefulness. Then the disciples were in a state of wonder and awe, recognizing that Jesus was the living revelation of the Great I AM – the creator of the Universe.
Are you in the middle of a storm? Jesus knows all about it and will see you through to safety, even if your faith totters. He is faithful, and because of His steadfast faithfulness to us, our faith will continue to grow. In growing faith we will discover a place that is safe and secure- even in the middle of a raging storm!
“They awoke Him and said to Him, ‘Master, do You not care that we are perishing?’ He said to them, ‘Why are you so timid and fearful? How is it that you have no faith [no firmly relying trust]?’ And they were filled with great awe and said one to another, ‘Who then is this, that even wind and sea obey Him?’” (Mark 4:38b, 40-41).