We can be sure that we will face some stormy situations on our Christian journey. Mark 4:35-39 chronicles the disciples’ experience in stormy waves while Jesus quietly slept in their boat. Here are a few examples of some storms we may face in our everyday moments:
Contending situations – several demands on our attention may bring waves of pressure and uncertainty.
Contentious people – conflicting attitudes, behaviors and stressful personalities can make us feel overwhelmed.
Contending issues – concerns that bring conflicting thoughts and feelings can bring raging tides on the inside.
The devil seeks to use people and situations such as these to bring storms of contention, uncertainty and terrible stress into our lives. But let’s just remember how our Lord slept in the midst of the storm. His disciples were deeply afraid and woke Him up in panic asking if He didn’t care that they were going to die. The Bible says that He got up and rebuked the wind and quieted the storm. He can do the very same thing for all the storms we face. Our Jesus has power over the winds of worry and strife. He can and will quiet our situations as we trust Him.
We should note, though, that Christ asked his disciples why they were so fearful and how it was that they didn’t have faith. We would think “but really, Lord, You would want us not to fret when our boat is being filled with water in a crazy storm”? Yes. He would. He would want us to trust Him because we know Him. His Presence with us and His promise to fulfill the purpose of our journey should fill us with confidence that we will make it.
The circumstances of my life – the environment, family, work etc. – are like the boat. They comprise the machinery that God has designed for me to use to navigate the waters of life. He has promised to take me to ‘the other side’. Storms will arise on the sea of life and in my heart. I may begin to fear: can my boat weather this storm or is everything going to fall apart, twisted, broken and battered by the storm? Will I end up submerged under the powerful waves, my purpose snuffed out, my life short-circuited and all my hopes ended? Carest thou not that we perish?
God is in my boat. Within the frail vessel of human life, human relationships and human activity, Jesus Christ is with me. He is strong, powerful, wise and full of capability and authority. His quiet resting in the tumult is simply a test of my confidence and an example for me to follow. The strongest of waves against the frailest of boats cannot overthrow God’s will for my life. By the grace of God, I will make it.
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