Storms

Then he got into the boat and his disciples followed him. Suddenly a furious storm came up on the lake, so that the waves swept over the boat. But Jesus was sleeping.  The disciples went and woke him, saying, “Lord, save us! We’re going to drown!”

 He replied, “You of little faith, why are you so afraid?” Then he got up and rebuked the winds and the waves, and it was completely calm.

 The men were amazed and asked, “What kind of man is this? Even the winds and the waves obey him!”

Matthew 8:23-27

This story from the bible is retold so much. It gives us a great picture of how Jesus was so powerful and of how He can calm the storms of life. 

I love how it is written in Mark:

 That day when evening came, he said to his disciples, “Let us go over to the other side.”  Leaving the crowd behind, they took him along, just as he was, in the boat. There were also other boats with him.  A furious squall came up, and the waves broke over the boat, so that it was nearly swamped. Jesus was in the stern, sleeping on a cushion. The disciples woke him and said to him, “Teacher, don’t you care if we drown?”

 He got up, rebuked the wind and said to the waves, “Quiet! Be still!” Then the wind died down and it was completely calm.

 He said to his disciples, “Why are you so afraid? Do you still have no faith?”

 They were terrified and asked each other, “Who is this? Even the wind and the waves obey him!”

Mark 4:35-41

The disciples are terrified. They don't just ask Jesus to save them, they get upset. They wake Him and ask Him if He really cares about them. 

"Teacher, don't you care if we drown?"

Thats how I feel like I have talked to God in the storms of my life. 

Sure there are times where I can sit and calmly ask Him to help and change things for me. But if I am honest, most of the time I feel like He has abandoned me. That He is asleep and unaware or doesn't care. 

What this story points out to us is that Jesus is there.  He is unafraid. He trusts His Father in Heaven, He can sleep and rest because He knows they will be alright. 

Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to your life?

Luke 12:25

For who is God besides the Lord?
And who is the Rock except our God?

It is God who arms me with strength
and keeps my way secure. 
He makes my feet like the feet of a deer;
he causes me to stand on the heights.
2 Samuel 22:32-34 (Psalm 18:31-33)


If they didn't wake Him, what would have happened?

I think they would have continued to be beaten and battered by the storm. They would be terrified and continue to fear for their lives.  And then the storm would likely just pass. They would make it through and would be angry with Jesus that He was able to be at peace through it all. 

Isn't that how we feel when we go through something horrible? We make it to the other side and then feel angry with God for not making it easier for us. For not taking away the pain but making us feel hurt.  We feel like He was not there with us, that He didn't go through it. 


But truth is He is always there.  

In peace I will lie down and sleep,
    for you alone, Lord,
    make me dwell in safety.
Psalm 4:8

There will be some times in our lives where we pray and God calms the storm. 

There will be some times when we pray and the storm continues to rage around us and we feel abandoned and alone. But He will be there with us through the entire ordeal, never leaving or forsaking.  

There will be times when we feel like we might as well just go through it alone. We can do it ourselves. But He is still there waiting and hoping that we will rely on Him. Because through Him we cam do so much more.