Sailing into the Storm

 There are seasons of life. Seasons when everything is smooth sailing. No health problems. Plenty of finances. Harmony in the family and among friends. Things at work go well. The seas are smooth like glass. The sun is out and the skies are cloudless. 

There are other seasons when clouds turn ominously dark. Streaks of lightening flash across the sky. The winds pick and the waters turn choppy at first and then swell into dangerous waves. Sometimes you have no other choice. There are no alternate routes. You have to sail into the storm. 

That happened with Jesus and the disciples in Mark 4:35-41. They sailed into a dangerous storm. The disciples freaked out. They were terrified and thought they would die. They gave into anxiety and fear. Jesus slept. Two very different approaches to the storm. 

None of us can avoid storms that swirl from time to time. It would be easier not to go through those stormy seasons, but they are common to all of us. Some right now are sailing into a storm. Others are already in the middle of one. Others are coming out on the other side. 

How do you approach these stormy seasons? Do you panic and get overwhelmed with anxiety? Do you stress? Does crippling fears grip you like a vice? I think this is the more natural and common response. 

Do you endure storms in peace as you trust the Lord to see you through. I know many people in the middle of storms right now. Some find peace through prayer and refuge in God. These are the people who trust. They do not doubt. Their storms may be very severe, but they cling to Jesus by faith in the middle of the storm. Their faith is greater than the present storm. 

In that Mark 4 story Jesus stands up and rebukes the storm. He spoke, "Peace be still." Other translations record Him saying, "Hush be quiet." Jesus muzzled the storm. He calmed the raging seas. He brought tranquility to an otherwise chaotic situation.

As you find yourself sailing into your next storm, I hope you will remember the contrast between the disciples' reaction and Jesus' reaction. One brought stress and fear. The other brought peace and rest. Which do you choose? Jesus still has the power to calm storms. Sail on brave ones. You do not enter the storm alone. He will be with you. For those of you in the middle of it now, He is with you. Storms do not last forever. They have a beginning and an ending. Sail on and one day you will get on the other side of the storm in this life or in eternity.