Some storms we can see coming or even predict; other storms come out of nowhere.
Our heart posture and position with God prepares us in advance for how to react. Trust me, scripture promises storms, but assures us of God’s strength.
Mark 4:35-36 “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.”
Mark 4:37-40 “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?”
When the storm came upon the boat, men that had seen His miracles firsthand, became scared. They freaked out and panicked and cried out, “teacher, don’t you care?!”
Can you relate when your storm hits?
I can picture Jesus raising His head and looking at Simon-Peter thinking, “just wait” and then scoffing as he commanded the storm to quiet. In common words, Jesus said “seriously guys?! Do you still doubt?!” This is a pivotal moment in scripture that we should be very careful to remember - the men who saw firsthand still didn’t realize the power and authority Jesus had, yet we’re supposed to walk with that same confidence WITHOUT the proof they had.. Hebrews 11:1 “Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see.”
Jesus has proven time and time again there is no storm violent enough, strong enough or hard enough that He can’t quiet. With that knowledge, who do we count on when our life’s storms hit or why do we still count on ourselves? Unclear, not sure which way you’re going here? Why do we worry when the rains and winds come into our lives?
External storms bring out the internal storms of our heart. They are designed to expose our heart posture and always show our faith, or lack thereof. Those storms can bring out our fears and breed mistrust of a loving, gentle God. We forget amid the storms we face that God responds to faith, not just need; especially “needs” that are really wants that we put as priorities.
Jesus already said, “let’s go to the other side”. He already had a plan, said it, and then went to sleep. That’s Jesus math for you:
Jesus’ plans + His words + His silence = our faith.
Even though the disciples freaked out, they did do one thing right! They completely submitted to Jesus and knew going to Him during their storm, with faith He could fix their situation, they cried out to Him. They. Went. To. Jesus. They did so knowing He would not let them drown.
The questions I keep asking myself in the midst of the horrible storm in my life:
What am I not trusting Jesus with?
What am I fearful of?
What “want” have I prioritized into a need?
Where am I trying to lead God? (That’s a biggie)
What am I trying to control?
What am I doing to show faith?
What are my idols?
God wants our total submission in all that we do… family, finances, future and most assured, our faith. Trust that!
Jesus wants us to walk in complete and fearless faith and when, not if, you don’t see the storm calming right away, remember his record is spotless.
Trust the one that can walk on water over the one that wants to pull you under!