One day Jesus said to his disciples, “Let’s go over to the other side of the lake.” So they got into the boat and set out. As they sailed he fell asleep. A squall came down on the lake, so that the boat was being swamped, and they were in great danger.
The disciples went and woke him saying, “Master, Master, we’re going to drown!”
(Luke 8:22-24).
The waves and wind weren’t the only things rebuked that day. So were the faithless disciples.
They didn’t wake him and say, “Please calm these waves!” or “Save us!”
No, their words were, “We’re gonna drown!”
A threatening sky of angry, boiling gray clouds persisted in my mind yesterday. The thoughts closely resembled the weather outside, but my brain weather activity was more severe.
I knew the storm in my mind was irrational. I knew the thoughts were from the one who accuses people. (AKA Satan.) Yet try as I might to turn my thoughts around they persisted until I read this scripture.
I’ve shared with you how my faith has been questioned before. I never realized that Jesus used the very same words to question His negative disciples. Reading it shocked me out of my angry pity-party.
Up to that moment I think there had been a part of me (a small part) that identified and empathized with the frightened disciples: Were they supposed to just let Him sleep trusting God wouldn’t let them die because the boat carried the Son of God?
Jesus wasn’t angry that they woke Him up. He was angry that they assumed they were going to drown.
I did a lot of assuming yesterday.
But when it was all said and done, persistence in wanting to find faith, thinking the best in people and situations, and clinging to Jesus got me through.
Today is a new day. The negative thoughts are gone.
“Lord, please forgive me when my brain resembles gloomy days. Forgive me when I choose fear over faith. Thank you for being in the boat with me yesterday even though silent, you were there. And you got me to the other side. Thank you!”
What do you do when a storm rages through your mind?
Much grace and peace,
andy
