Just after the disciples watched Jesus perform many miracles, they experienced a storm while crossing the lake. “Suddenly a furious storm came up on the lake, so that the waves swept over the boat. But Jesus was sleeping. The disciples went and woke him, saying, ‘Lord, save us! We’re going to drown!’ He replied, ‘You of little faith, why are you so afraid?’ Then he got up and rebuked the winds and the waves, and it was completely calm.” (Matt. 8:24-26)

The disciples woke Him, begging Him to rescue them, which suggests that they hoped He could. Jesus called them people of weak faith because they weren’t sure He could. These disciples traveled with Him and saw Him perform many miracles, and yet their faith wavered.

When storms rage around us and every wave leaves us gasping for air, what do we believe about Jesus? That He is sleeping, inattentive, disinterested? Or does our faith thin out, leaving us wondering if He has the power to change things?

Jesus gave orders to the tumult, and there was great calm. The wind and the waves were more obedient and responsive than His followers. The storm recognized His voice and authority. The wind understood His power. And the lake and gusts didn’t just quiet down a little. They grew impressively calm. Subdued.

As we discussed a couple of days ago in Refined By Fire, whatever storms in our lives are upon us, Jesus can use it to shape us, to have a deeper compassion for others, and to bring Him glory.  “These have come so that the proven genuineness of your faith—of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire—may result in praise, glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed.” (1 Peter 1:7) 

When anxious thoughts rise, we can beat them back with the declaration, “Every storm in my life must bow to the Name and authority of Jesus Christ.” If we remember that the ultimate victory has already been won, we can claim the peace of Christ in the most troubling times. “I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” (John 16:33)

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