Mark 4:38-41, Jesus Calms Our Storms

I am always amazed by people that have seen the power of Jesus in their lives time after time, and even recognized it as such. Yet, during a storm in their lives, I often I hear, “Where is Jesus? Why is this happening to me?” Knowing Jesus does not mean that we will not encounter storms! Our peace and our faith come with the knowledge that Jesus has power over all storms, whatever their source or whatever their strength. 

I see so many believers today that profess their trust in Jesus power over the storms in their lives…….however…..do you fall short of DEMONSTRATING that trust when the storms arise? It’s funny that beneath the surface of our belief often lurks a practical atheist. Saying that we believe in Jesus is one thing……but it takes on a whole new meaning when we ACTUALLY DEPEND on Him for help.

Mark 4:38-41 (TNIV)
38 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?” 39 He got up, rebuked the wind and said to the waves, “Quiet! Be still!” Then the wind died down and it was completely calm. 40 He said to his disciples, “Why are you so afraid? Do you still have no faith?” 41 They were terrified and asked each other, “Who is this? Even the wind and the waves obey him!”

When we truly understand who God, indeed Jesus, is, we realize and recognize that HE controls both the storms of nature and the storms of a troubled heart. My question is, how do you react to dangers and stresses in your life? Jesus is willing to help IF YOU ONLY ASK Him. Never underestimate His power, always seek His wisdom, always look for His answer to your cry and THEN……apply that answer to your life.

Whatever the storm in your life, you have two options: You can worry and assume that either Jesus doesn’t care or that you are alone in the storm, OR, you can resist the fear and the anxiety (unfortunately now days most people believe that the cure for anxiety is a pill….I believe more in trusting and obeying) and put your trust in Jesus and His wisdom. Just as Jesus calmed the waves……he can calm the storms in your life.

I was hopelessly addicted to drugs in the 80’s. I finally surrendered and gave up because nothing that “I” did could take away my addiction. My life and everything that came with is was a mess. The storms had taken their toll on me, my relationships, and ultimately, were ready to take my life. If you knew me then you may not have noticed how bad it was. Many things I hid beneath the surface ……but inside…I was dying! I cried out to Jesus every night as I lay there alone in my bed suffering in a storm of my own making.

Jesus answered my cry! Interestingly enough, in His sovereign wisdom, He didn’t stop the storm in an instant. I am thankful He didn’t…I would have probably never really recovered in the long run. BUT, what He did was provide me with the TRUE answer…..and I obeyed. The Army had a new drug program that He made me aware of, which I resisted because I had been in the Army before and hated it. BUT, I recognized that it was now time to surrender to his will, not my wishes. I had to get completely clean in order to get back into the military and in 6 months, amazingly I accomplished now, upon surrendering, what I had tried for years to accomplish: I got clean. I enlisted again, went straight to Germany and that storm in my life ceased to exist…..just like the storm the disciples experienced that day on that boat.

Put your trust in Jesus, surrender, seek His wisdom and apply it. Just as Jesus calmed the waves……he can calm the storms in your life.