When Going through the Storms of Life: How to Overcome the Storms of Life

In Mark 4:35-41 we read, "35. On the same day, when evening had come, He said to them, 'Let us cross over to the other side.' 36. Now when they had left the multitude, they took Him along in the boat as He was. And other little boats were also with Him. 37. And a great windstorm arose, and the waves beat into the boat, so that it was already filling. 38. But He was in the stern, asleep on a pillow. And they awoke Him and said to Him, 'Teacher, do You not care that we are perishing?' 39. Then He arose and rebuked the wind, and said to the sea, 'Peace, be still!' And the wind ceased and there was a great calm. 40. But He said to them, 'Why are you so fearful? How is it that you have no faith?' 41. And they feared exceedingly, and said to one another, 'Who can this be, that even the wind and the sea obey Him!'" In this story Jesus was sleeping in the boat as a great storm arose. The disciples were fearful and awakened Jesus. Notice what they said to Jesus in verse thirty-eight, "Teacher, do You not care that we are perishing?" This question reveals the way we all feel at times. When difficult things happen to us, we have a tendency to think, "Does God care about me?" or "Is God aware of what is going on?" In our area we suffered the brutal winds of Hurricane Gustave and the flooding from Hurricane Ike, all within eleven days. Many people are still suffering today as a result of this one-two punch. In addition, many were awakened to the fact that our insurance was of no benefit due to the high deductibles. Life is like that sometimes. Trouble comes in packages filled with stress and difficulties. It is easy to ask God the same thing the disciples said to Jesus when they awakened Him. Many are asking God, "Do You not care that we are falling apart? Do You not care that we are hurting?" The answer to these questions is right in front of us. Jesus is with us right now, and He is in control. There is not a situation we can be in that He is not in control. God is in control, and Jesus is with us even as the storms rage around us. As Jesus slept, He was trying to say something to every disciple. Jesus is also trying to remind us that regardless of how things look He is in control and that He wants us to not be fearful.