CALM IN THE MIDST OF A STORM

“He got up and rebuked the wind and the raging waters; the storm subsided, and all was calm” (Luke 8: 24 NIV)

We had had a glorious sunny day boating with friends on our lake. The lake travels for twelve miles and we found ourselves at the furthest point from home. We had turned the boat around to start back when in the distance we saw the sky turning black. The clouds looked ominous, building bigger and darker in the west. The wind started to pick up and the waves started to roll. As my husband put the boat into full throttle, he steered us back toward our cottage.

The waves sprayed the sides of our boat and we felt the temperature dropping. I remembered the Bible passage from Mark 4:37, “A furious squall came up, and the waves broke over the boat, so that it was nearly swamped. ” The disciples had been afraid. They were sure they were destined to drown.

For me, this could have been a nerve-wracking ride, but I have learned the peace of Christ. I quietly prayed and instantly felt a peace in my heart. Jesus tells us to have faith and not be afraid. Even though the waves raged around us I was calm in the midst of the storm.

I had not always felt that way. Whenever I found myself in a situation that I could not control, I would panic. I would picture the worse, and like the disciples I would fear a calamity or even death. “The disciples woke him [Jesus] and said to him, “Teacher, don’t you care if we drown?” I had felt this way in the past.

This time, as my husband navigated the turbulent winds and waves, I felt calm and sure. He even docked properly on the first try. Through my faith, God had calmed my fears, kept the driver and passengers calm and I saw “the wind and the waves obey Him.”

Thought for the day: With Christ beside us all fears can pass away.

Prayer: Lord, let us remember to have faith and feel Your peace at all times. You can calm the storms in our lives.

————————————————————-

Jan, a former school teacher and small business owner, found a new passion in writing in her retirement. She has published two devotionals and a number articles for magazines and a Bible study. She is owner of Under the Cover of Prayer and moderates the site. She also writes at A Better Way. Jan has written a children’s book in which she is also the watercolour illustrator. She hopes to publish it this year.