“One day Jesus said to his disciples, “Let’s cross to the other side of the lake.” So they got into a boat and started out. As they sailed across, Jesus settled down for a nap. But soon a fierce storm came down on the lake. The boat was filling with water, and they were in real danger.” – Luke 8:22-23 (NLT)Normally, the rocking rhythm of a boat on the water would put Peter right to sleep. A fisherman before he gave it all up to follow Jesus, he was used to rough nights on the sea. But there was something different about this storm. For a storm like this to frighten an experienced fisherman like Peter it had to be an unusually fierce storm. Through the driving rain, Peter and the other disciples, nervous and worried that they may die began to wonder where Jesus was. When they’d looked everywhere, they went below deck and was astonished to find Jesus, sleeping as peacefully as a baby! They wasted no time, woke Jesus up and said with great urgency. “We’re about to drown here!” Jesus immediately rises and calms the storm. “Where is your faith?” he asks in the sudden silence. Storms in life are real. The disciples were in real danger, this was not perceived, hyped or over-exaggerated and you might be facing a real-life storm just like they were. Maybe you just received a serious diagnosis, the death of a friend, or the abandonment of a loved one—it can feel like Jesus is asleep and you’re going to drown. I have good news for you today, you won’t drown, after all Jesus is in the boat. Just as Jesus proved He was in control of the wind and waves that night, He’s in control of your storm, too. The pain, the struggle, the challenge, the fear, the worry they are all real and as great as it feels right now, they won’t last forever. The skies will clear again. It may feel like Jesus is asleep but he’s not. Remember he told them they were going to the other side of the lake which means he was confident they would arrive at their destination regardless of what happens and so you will too. In the midst of the storm you can have faith knowing that no matter what happens God will bring you to the destination he has promised you.
God, help me when I’m in the middle of the storm and tempted to freak out. Remind me that you are with me and help me to focus on Your power rather than on the storm. Help me to rest in Your embrace today. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
