Devotional:

“35 On that day, when evening had come, he said to them, “Let us go across to the other side.” 36 And leaving the crowd, they took him with them in the boat, just as he was. And other boats were with him. 37 And a great windstorm arose, and the waves were breaking into the boat, so that the boat was already filling. 38 But he was in the stern, asleep on the cushion. And they woke him and said to him, “Teacher, do you not care that we are perishing?” 39 And he awoke and rebuked the wind and said to the sea, “Peace! Be still!” And the wind ceased, and there was a great calm.40 He said to them, “Why are you so afraid? Have you still no faith?” 41 And they were filled with great fear and said to one another, “Who then is this, that even the wind and the sea obey him?”” — Mark 4:35-41

Jesus and His disciples were on the boat that evening with calm seas and out of nowhere, a storm hit. The Greek translation for storm in this passage isn’t describing a light rain shower or mild thunderstorm. It is a massive storm like what we are familiar with on the coast of Florida. These were heavy winds, rough waters and heavy downpours…more like a tropical storm. The disciples were scared; they felt hopeless and feared for their lives.

So, they woke Jesus up, which He probably wasn’t happy about because He was sleeping right through it. Instead of trusting Jesus to keep them safe, because we know He could have stopped this storm even in His sleep, they were terrified and even a little upset, thinking He didn’t care what happened to them.

Misery loves company, and isn’t it true that sometimes, we just want to voice our complaints and problems so that others can join in or feel sorry for us? We want people’s sympathy and to hear about how difficult our lives must be. It is easier to wallow in our problems than to actually deal with them.

Did you know that pigs typically don’t wallow in mud alone? They usually get in and roll around in it together. Somehow when others acknowledge our less than ideal circumstances, it brings a certain validation to us, and it feels better to have company as we roll around in our problems. And the longer we sit in it, the easier it becomes to stay there.

The disciples that day wanted to wake Jesus up not to ask for help, but to have Him join in on their fear and complain that He didn’t care. But Jesus still calmed the storm and said to them, “Why are you so afraid? Have you still no faith?” Jesus was the answer to their storm and they didn’t even think to go there. After all the miracles and teachings they had witnessed, they still did not believe that Jesus was their salvation that day. But they let their fear and doubt outweigh their faith.

Sometimes the things in our lives are overwhelming and it is hard to see any hope or a way out. And often, we overlook Jesus and try to find comfort in other things. He is the only one who has the power to lift us out of those dark places and draw us closer to Him. He may not calm your storm immediately, but He will stay by your side every step of the way. He will never leave or forsake you.

I have a group of ladies I love and can trust to pray for me and tell me hard things that I sometimes don’t want to hear. Do you have people in your life who are willing to pull you out of the mud instead of jumping in and rolling around in it with you? If not, pray for God to send people that will encourage you, pray for you and build you up, so that you can fully embrace and walk in peace through Jesus Christ.

Do you have faith that Jesus can calm your storm, no matter how big or small?

I encourage you to write down all your storms, sorrows, afflictions, pains, whatever they may be. Then beside each one, write a blessing that He has given. It could be a friend, an event that happened or even a minor thing that might seem silly to anyone else. But focus on what Jesus has done for you instead of the things you cannot control. Give God control and see what he has for you on the other side of your storm.

God, when we see storms in front of us, let us keep our eyes fixed on You with the knowledge that You have the power to calm all storms. Keep our faith strong as we go through the struggles this world brings us. Guide us and let us feel Your peace and calm when we are fearful of what may come. Amen