Find peace in the storm

“And a great windstorm arose, and the waves were breaking into the boat, so that the boat was already filling. But he was in the stern, asleep on the cushion. And they woke him and said to him, “Teacher, do you not care that we are perishing?” Mark 4:37-38 ESV

As my friends and I set out on a three hour training run Saturday, we were praising the Lord for the unusual coolness of the mid-summer morning and the spectacular sunrise that was emerging before us; especially as we ascended to the highest point on our route. But a little over an hour in, we began to notice the skies darkening. “Let’s keep going,” I said. And we did. Even through the torrential downpour that followed for the next two hours and the thunder that boomed all around us. Strangely enough though, while some people might have been scared, the three of us were completely at ease in the storm; wholly, fully, thoroughly, and absolutely convinced and confident that the Lord was with us. And I must say, running in the rain had us laughing like kids again.

And you know, while you and I (for the most part) have control over being caught in a storm outside, we don’t usually have control over the storms that pop up in our lives. Storms that will undoubtedly bring doubt, anxiety, fear and hopelessness. Storms that may even have us questioning whether God knows or even cares. But you can be sure that God does know and does care about each and every one of us and what we are going through. Consider Jesus. In the midst of a storm that scared even the roughest and most experienced of fishermen who were used to rough seas, Jesus was “in the stern, asleep on a cushion.” Why? Because Jesus was tired and knew that He could rest peacefully... because He knew God would take care of Him.

Wow. That’s so much different than the way most of us react isn’t it? Our first reaction to an unexpected storm or trial is usually to cry out, “Teacher, do you not care that we are perishing?” What would happen though if we prayed, “Teacher, would you teach us how to sleep in the storm?” instead.

Heavenly Father, thank You for the example of trust that Jesus Christ displayed. Help us to trust You in the same way when the wind and waves of this world threaten to crush us. Remind us that we only learn to sleep in the storms of life by repeatedly going through them and discovering that You never leave our side. For that very reason, help us to embrace the storms of life. It’s in your precious name we pray Jesus. Amen.

Happy Running!!!

Sleep in the storm