Colossians 2:6,7

Peace! Be Still!

Mark 4:35 There are emotional, physical, and spiritual storms. Some are very difficult.

This account appears in Matthew, Mark, and Luke. This was a pivotal experience with the disciples. It takes place on the Sea of Galilee, a body of water in a basin, which can be subject to “hurricane-like” storms that arise quickly. The fishermen knew typical risks and conditions and they might have preferred to stay near the shore for this reason.

My day (or year) may start out good, but a storm comes out of the blue. How do I react to that? How do I handle the smaller storms? These prepare me for the bigger storms. I can learn to trust God.

Mark 4:35,36 There were also other, smaller boats nearby. I’m not the only one going through stormy times. Others might be feeling the storm worse than I am. Those around me are also affected by my storm.

When the boat started to fill up with water, everyone panicked and was afraid. If Jesus is in my boat, He is not bothered by my storm. He knows what I am going through.

Mark 4:38 The disciples woke him up with the question: Don’t you care about us? They didn’t ask Him to calm the storm. They needed Jesus to calm themselves. “Sometimes He calms the storm but mostly He calms me.”

Jesus rebuked the winds and waves. His language was similar to what is used to train an animal: STOP! Peace! In the Greek, this is a command and is translated as, “Shut your mouth! Stop making all that noise!” This is in contrast to the feeling that the boat was being engulfed by waves - Don't swallow this ship!

God created and owns the winds and waves. He owns my storm, too. He can command peace in my trial when I ask for His help.

Sometimes God heals others around me when He steps in to help me with my trial. Ask Jesus to be present in your difficulty so he can rebuke the storm!