Choppy Waters

Many of us are familiar with the time that Jesus calmed a violent storm just by talking to it. In Mark 4 Jesus is on a boat with His disciples when a fierce storm hits, and in verse 39 Jesus simply said, “Peace, be still.” With those three words the waves were stilled, the storm was stopped, and the disciples were scared. They began to ask themselves how anyone could pull off what they just witnessed.

That part of the story is often told, but the question that Jesus asks next is usually left out. Jesus asked His disciples, “Why are you so fearful? How is it that you have no faith?” It seems like a legitimate question; after all, God was right there in the storm with them!

And yet we repeat the mistake of the disciples every time we forget that God is right in the middle of our storms with us. When a bad doctor visit, bad economy, or bad relationship have us worried that we will drown, the same One who said, “Peace, be still” is still watching over us today.

Life is not always smooth sailing. In fact, many times there are choppy waters from things that are out of our control. The disciples did everything that they could do, and then they panicked. We need to put our total faith in Jesus and rely on Him to be our strong anchor in the midst of the storm.

“Why are you so fearful? How is it that you have no faith?”

Mark 4:40