It’s impossible to find a person who has never felt feelings of fear, sadness, overwhelm, neglect, or hurt. These emotions are an unavoidable part of life. These feelings reach the youngest to the oldest among us. So where is God in these moments? Does he leave us to deal with these feelings on our own?
These difficult questions are answered beautifully in Mark Chapter 4. In it, we see that God is always with us, regardless of our circumstances and feelings. He is the calm in life’s storms. God never panics when we do; rather, He remains steadfast, unmovable and trustworthy.
Mark Chapter 4 opens with Jesus teaching a large group of people by the Sea of Galilee. Mark 4: 35-38 says, “That day when evening came, he said to his disciples, ‘Let us go over to the other side.’ Leaving the crowd behind, they took him along, just as he was, in the boat. There were also other boats with him. A furious squall came up, and the waves broke over the boat, so that it was nearly swamped. Jesus was in the stern, sleeping on a cushion. The disciples woke him and said to him, ‘Teacher, don’t you care if we drown?’”
Have we ever asked God a similar question? Does He care if we drown? Presbyterian Pastor Tim Keller said, “Every single person who has tried to live a life of faith, we’ve all felt like this at some point.” Lord, I’m sinking and you don’t seem to care. Lord, I’m overwhelmed and you don’t seem to care. Lord, I’m breaking, our family is breaking, and you don’t seem to care.
The truth is God does care about your circumstances! God cares even more about you. Mark 39-41 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!’”
Jesus calmed the storm. Jesus saved his people. Jesus responded then and continues to respond now. In this chapter, as in life, it’s essential that we don’t confuse Jesus’ calm with indifference. He is always the source of calm in chaos. And, as seen with the winds and the waves, He responds to our emotions and our needs in ways that are impossible for anyone but God!
So here’s the takeaway: the Lord will not always keep us from life’s strongest storms, but he promises to go with us into the eye of the storm. Jesus shows that He has the power because He is Lord in and over the storm. He is Lord over what’s scaring, overwhelming, or threatening you. He is the answer to fear! He is bigger than your fear! He is bigger than your storm!
Practical Tips:
Remind yourself that when you can’t, God can!
Faith in the Person Jesus Christ is the answer to our fears.
Faith in Jesus Christ brings us peace when we experience strong emotions.
Don’t shame yourself for asking questions in times of trouble. Jesus responded to such questions during His earthly ministry with love and care.
Hold strong to the idea that your crisis is your opportunity to walk by faith and not by sight.
