The Storms Of Life
Storms can attack us in different forms. They come as rain storms, wind storms, hale storms, snow storms, and yes, personal storms. Fortunately for us, Jesus still calms the storms of life that comes our way when we allow Him to.
When Jesus woke up, he rebuked the wind and said to the waves, “Silence! Be still!” Mark 4:39
Do you ever think about Jesus getting tired or fatigued? Almost everywhere He went, people gathered around Him. Matthew recorded for us what happened soon after Jesus healed Peter’s mother-in-law.
That evening many demon-possessed people were brought to Jesus. He cast out the evil spirits with a simple command, and he healed all the sick. Matthew 8:16
And why wouldn’t they flock to Him? He taught spiritual truths that they had never heard before. He healed people and did many miracles. Plus we should talk about all of the demon-possessed.
For 400 years before Jesus’ birth, Israel was spiritually dead. Thus, Satan must have sent an army of demons to infest them. Because Jesus spent a good amount of time casting demons out of people.
So on that particular day, as the night descended on them, Jesus made the following suggestion to His disciples.
As evening came, Jesus said to his disciples, “Let’s cross to the other side of the lake.” So they took Jesus in the boat and started out, Mark 4:35-36
By this time darkness was setting in. But because some of the disciples were former fishermen that wasn’t a problem. They had sailed the sea and fished many times during the night.
With the disciples relaxed and Jesus fast asleep, no one noticed the clouds quickly filling the sky.
Things Began to Change
Mark wrote in his gospel, “but soon a fierce storm came up.” I like what Matthew said though;
Suddenly, a fierce storm struck the lake, with waves breaking into the boat. Matthew 8:24
Suddenly means it appeared quickly and without warning. All of a sudden strong winds blew and the waves crashed against the boat. Thunder roared and lightning flashed while rain dumped out of the sky.
High waves were breaking into the boat, and it began to fill with water. Mark 4:37
This storm was so fierce that fear struck the disciples. Even the experienced fishermen panicked. With the boat taking on water would it sink or worse yet, break apart?
And what do you suppose Jesus was doing during all this panic?
Jesus was sleeping at the back of the boat with his head on a cushion. Mark 4:38
He must have been very tired. That boat dipped up and down into the waves. It tossed from side to side.
Not only did He sleep through it all, but His head stayed on the pillow. But not for long.
The Disciples Cried Out for Help
The disciples woke him up, shouting, “Teacher, don’t you care that we’re going to drown?” Mark 4:38
When he awoke, He did not join in with their hysteria. In fact, He didn’t get excited at all. Listen to what the Bible said about His reaction
When Jesus woke up, he rebuked the wind and said to the waves, “Silence! Be still!” Suddenly the wind stopped, and there was a great calm. Mark 4:39
There’s that word again, suddenly! The storm didn’t move on nor did it just fissile out. The Word says it “suddenly” stopped. As quickly as it showed up, it stopped even quicker.
Have you ever almost been involved in an automobile accident? What happened after the fact? You were probably shaking all over. I’m sure that was the reaction of the disciples as well.
Yet after Jesus calmed the storm, He looked at His disciples and asked the following two questions.
“Why are you afraid? Do you still have no faith?” Mark 4:40
We aren’t told if they responded to the Lord’s questions. What do we do know? Jesus shocked the disciples when they saw His power.
Which brought them to ask themselves a question.
The disciples were absolutely terrified. “Who is this man?” they asked each other. “Even the wind and waves obey him!” Mark 4:41
Jesus Still Calms the Storms of Life
We can learn a few things from this story. First, I need to make it clear that Jesus does not sleep anymore. His resurrection replaced His human body with a glorified one.
When a storms erupts in our life, fear or anxiety usually focuses directly on the storm. The storm in today’s story wasn’t a concern to the Lord at all.
The disciples, however, lived in sheer terror as their small confined environment threatened their lives. UNTIL! Until they called out to the Lord.
Peter had the same experience when he walked on the water.
But when he saw the strong wind and the waves, he was terrified and began to sink. “Save me, Lord!” he shouted. Jesus immediately reached out and grabbed him. Matthew 14:30-31
If we continually focus on our stormy circumstances we will sink into them.
Therefore, we must call out to Jesus who calms the storms of life. Whether they suddenly appear in our lives or if we walk into one.
The writer of Hebrews gave us this encouraging word in the 13th chapter.
For God has said, “I will never fail you. I will never abandon you.” Hebrews 13:5
Lord, help us exercise our faith when it looks like there is no way out. We do believe that Jesus still calms the storms of life when they happens to us. Help us with our unbelief.
Check out these related posts on the storms of life.
- Is My Faith Being Tested During A Storm In Life
- Jesus Calms The Storm Surging In The Christian’s Life
Take time to read all of Mark 4.
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