Praising in the Storm

Mark 4:40 ESV - He said to them, "Why are you so afraid? Have you no faith?"

What do you do when you feel like the world is imploding? You know, you get that news that everything you once knew to be true isn't... an unexpected diagnosis, a friend hurts you deeply, a tragic loss. We have all likely been there, in that place, where life feels like it is standing still and you're watching everything in slow motion, your mind is trying to understand but there just isn't any understanding to be had.

I'd like to think that in these situations, I run to God. I seek Him first. I surrender it all to Him and it's just peace from there on. I would like to THINK that but that isn't always the case. Actually, very much like the disciples, I can see myself more panicking, running around trying to make sense of the situation, in true fight or flight fashion. The truth is, I'm learning to go to Him quickly but it's not ingrained and second nature as I would like it to be. What about you? How do you handle the storms of life?

Looking deeper at this story in Mark 4, this was a day like any other for the disciples. Jesus was teaching through parables and so many flocked around to hear Him speak. It was a great day. Once they left the crowd, getting into a boat to go to the other side of the water, a storm arose. (V 37) Isn't that the way storms in our lives begin? All is well. Often times all is great. Life is moving along seamlessly ... and then, in the blink of an eye, a storm arises. The once bright and beautiful skies turn gray and gloomy. You can feel that something is coming and aren't sure how long it will last or even how to prepare for it. Bewilderment begins to set in.

The boat begins to take on water, it seems like tragedy is on the horizon, it's loud and nothing makes sense except to panic and cry out. It's all a blur and so confusing. In those moments, I find that I feel the same way. When hit with hardship, the fear overtakes me and I don't know what to do, where to go or how to handle myself. Jesus was in the boat, sleeping soundly on a cushion. The disciples had been with Jesus seeing Him do so many miracles, yet, in this moment, they seemingly forgot that He was a miracle worker. They woke Him with "Teacher, do you not care that we are going to die?" (V38) He gets up and rebukes the storm and all is peaceful again. He says to them "Why are you so afraid? Have you still no faith?" (V40) They realize that He is all mighty in that moment. Even the winds bow to Him.

What can we learn from these verses? It's so rich in guidance for us when the storms are mighty. We tend to panic and want relief from the storm immediately. We run around trying to control the situation and often cry out for God to save us. We forget that He dwells within us through the Holy Spirit. He's not sleeping on a cushion in the boat as it sways side to side and takes on water. He's IN us. He surrounds us, waiting for us to sit with Him, to allow His peace to overcome us, calming the storm within.

While our storms look different in various seasons of life, they still come. It's how we choose to handle it when it does that matters most. It's not easy. There can be so much uncertainty. However, we choose to have faith. Even that of a mustard seed, Jesus says, is enough. These storms of life shape us and mold us. They strengthen our faith and our spiritual maturity. So today, as a new storm approaches, I will remember that Jesus is right here with me. I'm not alone. I trust His plan. I will keep my eyes fixed on Him.