Sometimes, it takes a storm to get our attention.
Maybe not a literal hurricane but a storm of life. We’ve lost our job. We’ve lost someone we love deeply. Maybe we’ve lost hope. It’s then we cry out to Jesus for help. Disaster has fallen upon us, and we need Him.
It seems to be these times in life when we recognize our desperate need for a Savior. Someone to make everything right again. Someone to grab hold of us and pull us from the turbulent water sucking us into its murky depths. Someone to save us.
Often, Jesus comes to our rescue like He did for the disciples who were caught in a boat rocking in the waves of a lake during a violent storm.
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?”
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!” Mark 4:35-41
What Happens in the Story of 'Jesus Calms the Storm' in the Bible?
If we read the whole story in Mark from the beginning of chapter four, we’ll notice Jesus doing a lot of teaching. There are so many there beside the lake listening, He gets into the boat to teach the crowd from there.
Then in the evening, they set out to go to the other side of the lake and encounter the storm. Jesus is asleep and unconcerned with the weather. He’s resting but also testing. We know this because of His response to the disciples’ fear and their lack of faith.
In the next chapter, some awesome miracles take place after the storm. When they reach the other side of the lake, Jesus casts out a legion of demons from a man. Then they cross the lake again and Jesus heals the woman who touches his garment and raises a dead girl to life. The disciples witness these miracles.
What happened with the disciples in these chapters is often the same with us spiritually.
We may go through a season of teaching from Jesus, then testing as the life storm comes our way, then on the other side of it, we may see Jesus do something astounding or miraculous in our own lives.
There’s teaching, a trust test, and then triumph.
Why We Can Trust Jesus because Jesus Calms the Storm?
To be honest, when we’re a new Christian, it can be scary facing a storm in life and not knowing how to handle it. We may question God’s love for us. We might question why He’d allow us to go through such a difficult time. We may waiver in our faith.
But if we’ve been a Christian for a long time, He has proven Himself trustworthy through many of life’s storms.
The storms make us stronger and build a deeper level of trust in Jesus. He does not fail us even if He doesn’t stop the wind and waves as He did for the disciples on the lake.
Sometimes, we must ride it out with Him by our side. He’s with us through it all. He has purpose in everything He allows, and we trust Him to get us through it.
The LORD himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged.” Deuteronomy 31:8
4 Ways Jesus Calms the Storm in Our Lives
1. Jesus is with us in the storms of life.
Having a friend who goes with us through dark times is priceless. We are not alone during our darkest hour. He’s with us. He never leaves us or forsakes us when it seems everyone else has let us down.
Fear not, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand. Isaiah 41:10
2. Jesus is light in the dark storm.
Sometimes, there’s a break in the bad weather like the eye of a hurricane. A brief time where the storm lightens up and we gather the strength to make it through what remains of the storm.
We can find peace to get us through by reading God’s word. Jesus is the Word and does wonders for our souls when we’re being hit by strong wind and rain. Whether we’re reading the words of Jesus in the Gospels or seeking solace in the Psalms. Our souls are strengthened through the word of God.
Your word is a lamp for my feet, a light on my path. Psalm 119:105
3. Jesus calms the storm in our lives through prayer.
Our instinct is to tell someone our troubles when we go through a difficult time in life. It helps to get everything off our chest.
Jesus is our best friend. He’s listening to us even when we can only groan in our spirits because we don’t have words to express our deep sorrow. He already knows everything we’re going through but humbling ourselves and seeking Him is the best way to calm our spirits.
May my prayer be set before you like incense; may the lifting up of my hands be like the evening sacrifice. Psalm 141:2
4. Jesus calms the storm in our lives through other Christians.
When we’re part of a church family and a storm of life comes along, we have prayer warriors seeking God on our behalf. They’re concerned about what we’re going through and praying for our wellbeing.
God speaks through other Christians, at times, when we need it most. It’s wise to seek counsel from another older Christian who has been there, done that. Their advice is tested and true. They can bring comfort to us and calm our souls.
God knows when the storm of life is coming our way. Nothing catches him by surprise. He’s in control and can stop the storm if He chooses. But most often, He allows it. There’s something to be gained spiritually from going through a storm. It can be painful, but we rarely grow without a little pain.
We become compassionate for what others go through when we’ve ridden those same waves of trouble ourselves. We understand things we never understood before and realize it could be any one of us in the situation.
The truth is life storms most often soften our hearts, make us humble, and make us more like Jesus.
“All this I have spoken while still with you. But the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you. Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid. John 14:25-27
Further Reading
Jesus Calms the Storm Bible Story
What Is the Significance of Jesus Calming the Storm?
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Melinda Eye Cooper grew up in the Missouri Ozarks but lives near Nashville, Tennessee with her family. She writes articles and devotions and has some fiction projects in the works. Melinda grew up in a large family and is number seven of ten children. Many of her devotions and stories are inspired from her childhood.
Melinda has been honored to be a Selah Awards finalist for online articles and a finalist for the 2023 Writer of the Year Award with Serious Writer.
Her non-fiction book “Cross My Heart” is available here. Visit her website here to receive blog posts via email. You can follow her on Facebook here or Instagram here.