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Apr 01, 2024 06:00am

Finding Peace in Life’s Storms

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My father-in-law was diagnosed with cancer and passed. Family friends just lost their son. A dear friend lost his father. Another friend was dealt a crushing blow that ended a relationship.

Storms will come.

In just the past few months, we’ve been a part of or heartbroken over these situations. Sometimes, it feels like the storms of life are so overwhelming, like a boat tossed in the swells of an ocean, knocking you overboard. The waves crash over your head, threatening to take you under. You struggle to stay afloat but are weak, tired, and weary.

You want to scream at the storm, “STOP!” but it’s relentless.

But there’s this beautiful moment in the midst of the storm where a hand reaches out and wraps around you, holding you until the storm has passed.

Let me tell you about that hand.

John 6:16-21

“And when even was now come, his disciples went down unto the sea,
17 And entered into a ship, and went over the sea toward Capernaum. And it was now dark, and Jesus was not come to them.
18 And the sea arose by reason of a great wind that blew.
19 So when they had rowed about five and twenty or thirty furlongs, they see Jesus walking on the sea, and drawing nigh unto the ship: and they were afraid.
20 But he saith unto them, It is I; be not afraid.
21 Then they willingly received him into the ship: and immediately the ship was at the land whither they went.”

Jesus was constantly teaching the disciples, not just about understanding the Word of God, but of the power and authority within Himself. Remember, once again, John’s objective for writing this book. It was to prove that Jesus was the Messiah, the Son of God.

In this passage, he quickly takes us through a terrifying situation where the disciples are caught in a storm on the Sea of Galilee. And yet, in the midst, a man calmly walks towards them.

But how? The waves! The water! There was no land. It was deep. How could this be? In their terror-stricken screams for help, look at Jesus’ response.

It wasn’t “I’ll take care of this.” Or “Hold my sandals; I’ll be right back.”

Jesus said, “It’s is I; be not afraid.”

The point is that this life brings about storms. We have no control over most of them. But there is hope.

Jesus didn’t stop the storm right away. But He told them He was there with them and for them not to be afraid, just like with us. He may not get rid of our terrible situation or storm, but Jesus promises to be with us in the midst while the storm rages. And we don’t have to be afraid.

This is the only peace there is. Knowing that because we are His children, because we have been forgiven and saved, He will be with us through all of life’s storms.

Whatever you’re going through, you can’t do it alone. You will grow weak, weary, and unable. Only with Christ can you have peace and comfort during these struggles of life.

Reach out.

He’s there. Waiting.

You don’t have to be afraid anymore.

Reach out to Jesus.