Today we have a special treat—a guest post by my dear friend Veronica Gerber. Be encouraged by her insights into the story of Jesus stilling the 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)

In this true-life adventure story that Mark recounts for us, Jesus is roused by the cries of his Disciples and dramatically calms the storm.

Are you also in a storm? Perhaps you are a believer and so Jesus is already living in your heart—in your Boat so to speak—but you feel as if he’s asleep?

Notice that the disciples didn’t ask Jesus to calm the storm. They didn’t pray for deliverance. Their focus was on themselves and their feeling of abandonment: “…don’t you care if we drown?”

Earlier that day Jesus had just finished speaking to them in parables about the measure of faith.

Often we encounter times of testing after times of teaching—much like the springing of a pop-quiz when you were a youngster at school. How much of what was taught was also caught?

Notice too that it was Jesus’ idea to get in the boat and travel to the other side of the lake. Of course he would have known there was a storm ahead.

And the disciples weren’t alone on the stormy sea. We read that “there were also other boats with him.” Often we’re tempted to succumb to the fallacy that our storm is just that, our storm.

However, the Bible says,

“No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to mankind. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can endure it.” (1 Corinthians 10:13)

From our vantage point of standing on the shore 2000 years later, it’s plain to see the disciples lost their perspective in the storm. Unbelief held them in its sway

Paul warms agains the sin of unbelief, and the deceitfulness of sin:

“See to it, brothers and sisters, that none of you has a sinful, unbelieving heart that turns away from the living God. But encourage one another daily, as long as it is called “Today,” so that none of you may be hardened by sin’s deceitfulness. We have come to share in Christ, if indeed we hold our original conviction firmly to the very end.” (Hebrews 3:12-14)

Let Jesus’ promises be your anchor!

“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)

“In peace I will lie down and sleep, for you alone, LORD, make me dwell in safety.” (Psalm 4:8)

“My Presence will go with you, and I will give you rest.” (Exodus 33:14)

Check out Veronica’s songwriting at her Soundcloud page!

© 2023 Veronica Gerber. All rights reserved.

© 2023 Lori J. Cartmell. All rights reserved.