Conquering Storms

by Darryl Manning 3-03-02

As Christians, all of us are on a journey. Our journey has multiple destinations and will one day end on what many songwriters and preachers have called “the other side.” Today I am speaking on the in between destinations that are part of our life and how to deal with storms that come on our journey.

In Mark 4, Jesus gave instructions to His disciples to head for a new destination. On their way they encountered a storm and were taught a great lesson.

³⁵On the same day, when evening had come, He said to them, “Let us cross over to the other side.” ³⁶Now when they had left the multitude, they took Him along in the boat as He was. And other little boats were also with Him. ³⁷And a great windstorm arose, and the waves beat into the boat, so that it was already filling. ³⁸But 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?”

³⁹Then He arose and rebuked the wind, and said to the sea, “Peace, be still!” And the wind ceased and there was a great calm. ⁴⁰But He said to them, “Why are you so fearful? How^£ is it that you have no faith?” ⁴¹And they feared exceedingly, and said to one another, “Who can this be, that even the wind and the sea obey Him!” NKJ

After reading this passage many questions come to mind. First, how was Jesus able to sleep during such a horrible storm? Was it because he was not afraid to die? Was it because he knew this was not his time to die? Was it because he trusted his disciples who were experienced boat handlers to get him safely to the other side? Was it because he trusted his Father to preserve his life? Was it because he had been given a destination and he knew the storm would not stop him from reaching it?

All of the propositions I have listed are probably good and applicable but the last is one on which I want to focus. Jesus never did anything that he did not see his Father doing.

John 5: ¹⁹Then Jesus answered and said to them, “Most assuredly, I say to you, the Son can do nothing of Himself, but what He sees the Father do; for whatever He does, the Son also does in like manner.

So, Jesus’ directions to go to the other side were given to him by the Father. Jesus had a destination given by God. A storm might be inconvenient and even damaging but it would not keep him from the other side.

Unfortunately for most Christians, they do not have a definite destination given by God other than heaven. That means every storm that comes may be the “big one” that will send them into eternity. Though Christians are not to fear even that storm, it would be far better to know the storm we are in does not have life ending possibilities.

The disciples, on the other hand, did not fully realize Jesus command to go to the other side excluded the possibility of perishing in the storm. At this point they certainly did not realize Jesus was the Son of God. So, they were exceedingly fearful for their lives.

We Christians are on a journey that will ultimately end with us in heaven. But while here, we need to maintain constant directions from God and complete the many small destinations he has on his agenda for us. If we are going toward one of these destinations we will know any storm along the way is not a threat to end our life. We will have faith to conquer the storm.

Another question arises from this passage. It is obvious Jesus was disappointed with the disciples lack of faith. But what was it that he expected them to do differently. Did Jesus expect one of them to stand up and rebuke the storm as he did? Did he expect them not to awaken him, trusting God to get them through the storm? Did he think they should have woken him sooner so the storm would not have gotten so rough?

Of all the possibilities I like the last one best. As you read the story it is clear they were surprised at Jesus’ power to calm the storm. They apparently thought he could do very little to change the danger they were in.

It looks like they called on him at the last moment out of disappointment rather than hoping he could stop the storm. Perhaps they were upset he had not helped them bail water or not helped navigate the boat. Perhaps they were disappointed he was not feeling the desperation of the moment.

 It is interesting that in this story it appears Jesus would have remained asleep and not helped the disciples if they had not asked for help. In another storm story, when Jesus walked on the storm driven waters to the reach the disciples the scripture says he would have passed on by had they not called out to him.

When we are in the midst of a storm we must remember the lessons the disciples learned. We must call upon the Lord to help us. We must not wait until the storm has practically destroyed us. We must remember he has the power to stop any storm and even if he doesn’t stop it, he will help us get to our destination.

St. Paul experienced a great storm while being transported as a prisoner to Rome. Paul held on to the promise God had given him that he would minister in Rome. It is great comfort knowing you have a destination and that the storm may delay you and damage you it will not destroy you. In Paul’s story the storm was not stopped but God protected the lives of everyone on board and helped all get to land when the ship was broken up.

St. Peter and the other disciples learned their lesson well that day. Many years later we read in Acts 12 that King Herod had imprisoned James and Peter. James had already been executed and Peter was scheduled for execution the next day. God sent an angel into the prison to rescue Peter. The angel found Peter asleep.

Peter had learned the lesson of the storm with Jesus. Now he was able to sleep though death seemed near at hand. He knew he had a destination. He knew he had a mission. He knew Jesus had told him he would grow old and be carried by another. (John 21:18)

What about you today? Do you have a storm going on in your life? Are you ready for the next storm you will face? Take these steps today to prepare yourself for coming storms or to gain victory over a storm.

1.      Make sure you have a destination. Make sure you have a purpose in your life and are on the way to accomplishing it. If you have completed an assignment from God, do not waste time enjoying a vacation too long from having a purpose to fulfill. Ask God to give you an assignment.

2.      Make sure you have faith in God to stop the storm. Call upon him at the first sign of trouble. Do not trust your own abilities to get you through. Do not wait till the last moment to call.

3.      If God doesn’t stop the storm, look for him to come to you and strengthen you in the storm and make a way of escape for you. 

Perhaps you know someone who is in a storm in his or her life. Why not share this message with that person. I will pray with you that whoever reads this message will be helped by the Lord.