In The Midst Of The Storm

“Who then is this, that even the wind and the sea obey him?” Mark 4:41 (ESV)

Jesus spends the entire day teaching His disciples on the shores of Galilee. It’s a day filled with parables and lessons, a day of theory at its finest (Mark 4:1). But when evening comes, the crowd is dismissed—and the test begins. Jesus says, “Let’s go across to the other side,” and they set sail. That’s when the storm hits. As they embark, a storm unlike any they had ever faced descends upon the sea. Waves rise and fall with fury. The wind howls. Fear grips experienced fishermen—men who know these waters well.

These are seasoned fishermen, used to the sea’s unpredictability. But this storm is different. It’s violent, relentless, and terrifying. Waves crash over the boat, and the disciples are sure they’re going to die. Meanwhile, Jesus is in the stern, fast asleep. They wake Him in a panic: “Don’t you care that we’re drowning?” It’s fear, full-blown and all-consuming. Fear has a way of distorting our perspective, doesn’t it? It blinds us to the presence and purpose of God. Fear makes us question God’s care.

But Jesus rises, speaks three simple words—“Peace! Be still!”—and everything changes. The wind dies down. The sea becomes glassy. And Jesus asks His disciples, “Why are you so afraid? Do you still have no faith?”. His questions cut straight to the heart, inviting them—and us—to see beyond the storm and recognize who’s in the boat with us. Sometimes it takes a storm for us to ask, “Who is this, that even the wind and the sea obey Him?”. It’s a question that reverberates through eternity. Jesus, the Son of God, commands creation because He spoke it into existence. He is the Word who was with God and was God.

Life is a lot like that sea voyage, isn’t it? Jesus’ questions invite us to confront our fears and entrust our distorted emotions to Him, asking for the vision to see Him in the storm. The waves of stress, loss, and unexpected tragedy can leave us feeling disoriented. Illness, financial struggles, betrayal, or the loss of a loved one shake us to the core. And in those moments, we wonder, “Where is Jesus? Does He even care?” But here’s the truth: storms aren’t just inevitable; they’re transformative.

Consider this: could life exist without storms? The wind that terrifies us also brings life. It carries rain, strengthens trees, and refreshes the earth. Without wind, the land would wither, and growth would cease. In the same way, God uses the storms of life to strengthen our faith. Storms remind us that Jesus is not merely a teacher; He is the Lord of all creation. His sovereignty is our hope.

What storms are you facing today? Maybe it’s time to shift your focus from the waves to the One who can calm them. When we turn our eyes from the chaos to Jesus, we witness Him turn the storm into fertile ground, where faith takes root and grows strong.

A life without storms might seem appealing, but would our faith ever deepen if we didn’t experience His power firsthand? Would we know the strength of our foundation if it were never tested? Jesus uses the parable of the houses built on rock and sand to drive this home: it’s not about hearing His words but living them (Matthew 7:26). The real test of our faith is obedience.

Building on the rock means taking God’s Word seriously and applying it. And when the storms come—and they will—we’ll stand firm. Storms reveal our foundation, but they also strengthen it, reminding us that our anchor is Jesus, the unshakeable One.

“I lift up my eyes to the hills… My help comes from the Lord, who made heaven and earth.” Psalm 121:1-2 (ESV)

“He made the storm be still, and the waves of the sea were hushed.” Psalm 107:29 (ESV)

“Lord, thank You that You are my anchor in every storm. Help me to see that the winds of adversity are opportunities to experience Your power and grow stronger in You. Show me the weak spots in my foundation, and help me strengthen them by obeying Your Word. Thank You for never sleeping or leaving me in the storm, for always being present, and for transforming fear into faith. Amen.”