When Wind and Waves Rock Your Boat: Suffering Part II #WordWednesday

The boat rocked violently back and forth and the waves threatened to capsize the small dingy.

The storm had taken the disciples by surprise. A few hours earlier the sun had shone in a cloudless sky. Now they found themselves yelling for Jesus to wake up. How could he sleep through this storm?

After a few desperate pushes on his arm and cries for help, Jesus’s eyes opened to frantic faces of his followers and accusations.

“Jesus, don’t you care if we drown?” (Mark 4:38).

The rabbi slowly rose with a deep sigh. He spoke to the storm and calmed the sea. But the wind wasn’t all he rebuked that night. .Mark tells us:

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

When I read this story, I’m so disappointed with those disciples. I’m not so shocked by their fear of the storm, but it really bothers me that they were just as terrified that Jesus could command the elements. It seems that nothing pleased them. And they dared to ask, “Don’t you care if we die?”

I can’t believe they asked that!

But before I point my finger too long at those skinny fisherman, I must check my own heart.

Have I ever become upset when trouble came my way? Have I cried out for help demanding Jesus to change my circumstances rather than trust that his Presence would get me though–that he loved me that much? And have I been upset when his answer to the problem didn’t look like I wanted?

Of course I have.

But I have to wonder what the disciples wanted him to do if the calming of the waves freaked them out. Why wake the Messiah if you don’t believe he can stop the waves? Did they want him to teleport everyone to shore?

What did they want him to do?

Your answer is as good as mine, my friend. We will never really know. But I do know this:

The storm didn’t catch Jesus off guard.
He can rest even during turbulence and life threatening situations. He does not fear.
We can carry that peace and assurance through life’s storms because he loves us. He calls us to this faith–this trust.

The Greek word translated often as “faith” is the word Pistis. It can mean faith and believe, but the majority of the time this word is in the present tense implying ongoing activity. Faith is not a one time event. It’s trusting everyday.

So, Jesus asked them, “Don’t you trust me?”

[bctt tweet=”Oh for greater trust of the One who created the waves and wind and can calm them.” username=”wordsbyandylee”]

[bctt tweet=”Oh for greater trust that he loves us and is right there with us in the storm.” username=”wordsbyandylee”]

I hope that during the next storm in my life I will just snuggle up in the stern with the sleeping Jesus and hold on tight.

I pray I’ll simply trust that he does love me, no matter what, and he cares for me.

What storm are you facing? What will you do to help you trust him?

Digging Deep,

Andy