I have a friend who loves a good thunderstorm and rain. I admit I enjoy them as well occasionally. Occasionally.
If it is the right time of year and everyone is where they are supposed to be, thunderstorms are fun. However, I’ve been in some doozies where the last thing I thought was, “This is fun!”
Cue the heavy winds. Add some nighttime darkness. Throw in a tornado watch, maybe even a tornado somewhere in the area. Blinking electric service. Not so much these kinds of storms.
In life, sometimes we go through significant storms as well. No lightening or thunder, no rain or wind, but significant physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual storms. You know of them. Possibly you are in one right now.
The Bible provides us help when this is the case.
Jesus and His Disciples in the Storm
Jesus and His disciples were no strangers to storms. The Bible records a specific storm that provides us some helpful insight.
35 On the same day, when evening had come, He said to them, “Let us cross over to the other side.” 36 Now when they had left the multitude, they took Him along in the boat as He was. And other little boats were also with Him. 37 And a great windstorm arose, and the waves beat into the boat, so that it was already filling. 38 But He was in the stern, asleep on a pillow. And they awoke Him and said to Him, “Teacher, do You not care that we are perishing?”
39 Then He arose and rebuked the wind, and said to the sea, “Peace, be still!” And the wind ceased and there was a great calm. 40 But He said to them, “Why are you so fearful? How is it that you have no faith?” 41 And they feared exceedingly, and said to one another, “Who can this be, that even the wind and the sea obey Him!” (Mark 4:35-41; cf., Matt 8:23-27)
Imagine the scene. The disciples fear for their lives. The waves toss and turn the boat. Notice how Mark describes it as a great storm with waves that beat into the boat. They thought they were going to die as water crashed over the sides of the boat threatening its integrity.
They woke Jesus up and cried out, “Do You not care that we are perishing?”
In all reality, they had no idea how much Jesus cared they were perishing. In fact, His journey to earth was exactly because He cared that they perished.
What did he do? He brought great calm as He demonstrated His power over the sea.
How did they respond? They transitioned from fear of the storm to an awestruck, awesome fear of God. “Who can this be, that even the wind and the sea obey Him!”
Floating on the Sea of Galilee on a beautiful, peaceful day in February 2018.
The Jesus Boat partially preserved at the Sea of Galilee.
Navigating the Storms of Life
There’s much to be said about this story and how it helps us to navigate life’s storms. However, I will limit my thoughts to three simple principles plus tell you about my friend.
First, God controls all things. Jesus demonstrated His power. His strength of character, trust in God’s will/plan, and ability to stop the storm with His words all serve to encourage us. From your vantage point, it may be very difficult for you to see how God controls your circumstances. In fact, you possibly just see Jesus asleep on His pillow in the stern. Do not be confused though. What seems one way to you is, in fact, different. God is in control.
Second, Jesus was with them through the storm. His presence provided them stability even in the midst of their fear. Even when they suffered from faithlessness, Jesus remained with them. He responded to them. He ministered to them. Jesus asked why they did not trust Him, which is a great question to consider. But even in their struggle, Jesus never left them. He never leaves us or forsakes us either in the midst of our storms – even in our struggle with faithlessness too.
Third, the lesson the disciples learned and their response instructs us as well. Today, you may be full of fear. Your energy may be seemingly depleted. You may have more questions than you do answers. Disappointment, discouragement, and discontentment possibly reside in the shadows of your heart every day. Similar to the disciples though, you must also cry out to God, worship Him as the Almighty, praise Him for His control (even if you do not see it), and rest in fear of God rather than the storms of this life.
The key to navigating the storm is developing an awestruck, awesome fear of God in the midst of it.
My Friend and Encouragement
For privacy reasons, I will not tell this person’s story. Yet, I am humbled and challenged by the integrity, courage, strength, and love my friend exhibits in the storm. No doubt this friend sometimes sins as the storm rages. But what I see in much more clarity is the resolve to love and honor Jesus Christ while seeking to love others in the midst of deep suffering.
Is everything in my friend’s life perfect? Absolutely not.
Is every response perfect? Again, no.
Yet, I have watched God’s grace strengthen and enable this person to persevere. I have watched an incredible amount of personal sacrifice – it does not go unnoticed although most have no idea the depth of it. When many would choose to sin as a response to this intense suffering, my friend chooses not to do so (most of the time). Often others would complain, this friend does not.
For me, I have the privilege to love and hope always, help when possible, and pray daily for my friend.
Why do I tell you this veiled story? Because you may be like my friend. You may sometimes get it right and at other times fail. In your own personal storm, you may need to know there are others like you.
Do people know the depth of your struggle? Most likely, no clue
Are there moments you feel all alone? Most likely, absolutely
Do you ever wonder if people even notice? Possibly, yes you do
Four things I am grateful for as I close…
First, I am grateful God is in control and loves you deeply in the midst of your storm. He is in control and actively participates in your life.
Second. I am thankful God allows us to share our burdens together. As you struggle, you help encourage others around you even when you have no idea people are watching. But people are. He gives us each other – even as imperfect as we are. Your friends get to pray for you, love you, and hope with you.
Third, I rejoice that you and I both can cry out to God. He listens. He cares. His Word blesses us as we read it, meditate on it, and seek to apply it in the midst of our storm. Through God’s Word, God’s people, and God’s providential care, He helps us navigate through the storms.
Fourth, I am grateful that even though we cannot be with our friends all the time as they go through the storms of life, Jesus is with them. Jesus never leaves them or forsakes them.
What will be on the other side of the storm? I do not know in terms of the specifics of this life, although I know what I hope for and about which I pray. I know something else as well – you, me, all of us can trust God because He does know what is on the other side of your storm. He will help and does help us as we live daily on our journey through the storm – ultimately looking forward to our journey to the other side of eternity.
KevinCarson.com | Wisdom for Life in Christ Together