In Luke 8:22–24 (NLT): 22 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. 23 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. 24 The disciples went and woke him up, shouting, “Master, Master, we’re going to drown!” When Jesus woke up, he rebuked the wind and the raging waves. Suddenly, the storm stopped, and all was calm.
Jesus Calms Storms
Do you enjoy storms? Here in Oklahoma, they become serious business when all the conditions are right. Just a few weeks ago, storms developed and before long, we experienced over twenty-five tornadoes across our state. They destroyed several small communities in their paths. People prayed for them to end, like the disciples did with Christ on the lake. They continued to rage, causing loss of life and property.
When Jesus doesn’t calm the storms of life, do we give up our faith? Sometimes, we must root our faith in the truth of God’s word and not base it on what we see around us. But, for some of us, when the storms rise, fears can overwhelm the soul. And our human response becomes like the disciple’s, who replaced their trust in Jesus with all-out panic and doubt. So what lesson can we learn in those moments?
Faith Calms a Different Storm
Maybe God has a different purpose for the storm. Is He trying to teach us something? We continue the story in Luke 8:25 (NIV): “Where is your faith?” he asked his disciples. In fear and amazement, they asked one another, “Who is this? He commands even the winds and the water, and they obey him.” Perhaps the storm increases our faith and trust in God. The disciples discovered that the winds and the waves obeyed Jesus’ command and the incident deepened their faith. So, let’s use the experiences of our fore-fathers to learn to strengthen our faith in the storms.
Bible Verse to Calm Our Hearts
- “God’s voice thunders in marvelous ways; he does great things beyond our understanding. He says to the snow, ‘Fall on the earth,’ and to the rain shower, ‘Be a mighty downpour.’ So that everyone he has made may know his work… He brings the clouds … to water his earth and show his love.” Job 37:5-7, 13 (NIV). The storms are never out of God’s control. Jesus slept in the boat with the disciples because He knew His father was in the storm and Jesus trusted God. We can learn a lot from that reaction and model it when our circumstance appears out of control.
- “When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze.” Isaiah 43:2 (NIV). God is with us in the storms. He knows what you need and when you need it. And He promises to never leave us or forsake us.
- “I sought the LORD, and he answered me; he delivered me from all my fears.” Psalm 34:4 (NIV). God wants us to turn to Him when we feel afraid. And, when we turn to Him in our moments of fear, our faith deepens along with our connection to our Father. Then, the next time the storms pop up, our heart knows what to do.
Trust in the One Who Created the Storm
When we feel battered like waves crashing against the rocks and Jesus appears silent. Our faith, once strong and unyielding, now hangs by a thread, fragile as a delicate butterfly wing. Amidst the chaos, may we hear His small voice within the tempest, “Hold on,” for this storm is but a chapter in your story. Though the storm rages on, hold on to the belief that God’s love surrounds us, a fortress of strength in our weakest moments.
Prayer for the Storm
Dear Jesus, thank you for being our anchor in the storm. Help us reach out and cling to you because we know you are with us. May our faith grow as we stand firm in the winds and rain of this life. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.
Grace and Peace to you,
Yvonne M. Morgan is a Christian #author, #blogger, and #speaker. #BibleGatewayPartner
Matthew 28:19 “Therefore, GO and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit.”
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Excellent post, Yvonne. I pray for those in Oklahoma who are recovering and rebuilding.
Thanks so much Priscilla. God bless you
Thanks for this wonderful encouragement to stay faithful in the storms. Sooner or later, we all experience storms of life. God is always with us.
Yes he is always with us and we are so blessed because of it. Thank you Annie. I pray you have a wonderful day.
Thanks for reminding me that lessons and spiritual growth often happen as a result of the storms God allows into our lives. What matters is Who our pilot is.
So very true Candyce. He is our pilot and will be with us always. God bless
Amen! I have learned to be thankful in storms, for I know they test me and help me grow. Thank God that HE is there with me.
He is with us through every storm. Amen. Thank you Jessica and God bless.
Great message. I’m thankful God is our anchor in all storms. 🙂
Me too Melissa. Thank you and God bless you.
Amen, Yvonne. Even the winds and the waves obey Him ….
Amen. Thank you Linda and God bless.
Yvonne, I lived in Oklahoma for a couple years and remember those tornado warnings. I’m so sorry for this huge loss for so many. Knowing God cares for us and is with us in our storms and that He has a higher purpose helps me hold on when I don’t understand.
Thank you Debbie. Knowing God is always with us does help. God bless
Yvonne, this is a much needed message. Sometimes when we cry out to God, He does calm the storms. But other times, He is with us through the storms. May we cling to Jesus, come what may. He is our hope now and forever!
Amen Melissa. He provides us so much hope. God bless
Such a good post. The weather has brought so many storms lately. No matter the storms of life, I am so grateful our Lord is with us, keeps us, and brings us through. Wonderful encouragement!
Thank you Joanne. I am grateful too for how the Lord is always with us. God bless.
Excellent piece, Yvonne. I especially liked all the scriptures you referenced and have always found comfort in Isaiah 43:2. Blessings!
Thank you Karen. Isaiah 43:2 is a wonderful verse that offers so much comfort. Blessings to you.
Suspect that like many of your readers, we find ourselves facing many storms in this life. It’s when we recognize that whatever storm God allows, He will find good from it (Romans 8:28) that we can face them with our faith intact. Great post ma’am.
Thanks JD. So much truth, God will find good in it. God bless.
Yvonne, I love your post. You mentioned one of my favorite Bible verses, “When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze.” Isaiah 43:2 (NIV).
Exciting news I’m featuring your post on my blog this week. You had the most clicks.
Thank you Maree. I am so very honored. That is an incredible verse that offers so much hope. Blessings
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Excellent post! Trusting in his unfailing love.
Thank you and God bless you