Background Story: Jesus had been teaching large crowds parables by the Sea of Galilee in Mark 4 . As the day ended, Jesus instructed his disciples to get into the boat with Him to cross to the other side of the shore.

Read Mark 4:35-41

35 That day when evening came, he said to his disciples, “Let us go over to the other side.” 36 Leaving the crowd behind, they took him along, just as he was, in the boat. There were also other boats with him. 37 A furious squall came up, and the waves broke over the boat, so that it was nearly swamped. 38 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?”

39 He got up, rebuked the wind and said to the waves, “Quiet! Be still!” Then the wind died down and it was completely calm.

40 He said to his disciples, “Why are you so afraid? Do you still have no faith?” 41 They were terrified and asked each other, “Who is this? Even the wind and the waves obey him!

Big Idea: Jesus brings peace in the midst of our storms.

Look around. What’s one thing that is desperately missing in today’s society? Peace. Peace in relationships. Peace in our decision making. Peace in our struggles. Peace in our thought processes. For being such a highly evolved society that’s put a computer in our hand and taught Alexa to turn on lights, we have not figured out how to manufacture peace.

In this story, the disciples are crossing the water in a boat when a monster storm comes upon them. They become afraid and desperately call to Jesus. Like the disciples, storms will come into your life that take us by surprise, fill us with fear, and can even cause us to question God.

Peace in life’s storms comes from remembering these simple truths:

1. God is with you in the storm: Just like the disciples, you are not alone in life. The Holy Spirit is IN YOUR BOAT. He has not left you to row on your own, but is present and here to help you navigate every moment of life.
2. God is enough in the storm: In all circumstances, Isaiah 26:3 promises, “You will keep in perfect peace all who trust in you, all whose thoughts are fixed on you!” In life storms, we can be honest with God, sharing with Him our fears and doubts. Fixing our eyes on Him, God Himself will keep us in peace as we rest in Him in the storm.
3. God will bring you out of this storm: This storm will not last forever and there is joy on the other side. When the storm subsides, you will come out forever changed. Like the disciples who were in awe of Jesus and His power, you too will arrive on the other side knowing God more intimately. Storms will always be an opportunity for immense spiritual growth, as we learn to rely on Him through it.

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Dig Deeper: John 14:16-19, Isaiah 9:1-6, Philippians 4:6-7, Isaiah 48:17-18, Matthew 11:28-30, John 16:33, 2 Thessalonians 3:16, John 14:27

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