Calming the Stormy Sea

Bible Reading: Matt 8:23-27; Mark 4:35-41; Luke 8:22-25

Pretend we are sitting in a boat together.

Softly pat your knees to make the sound of rain.

Now pat harder and imagine it is pouring rain!

Clap! Imagine some thunder clashing…now let it wane.

A familiar story—short but there is much to learn.

Do you ever feel afraid or insecure?

Kids always experience this and sometimes adults do too.

In this event the disciples were really scared and weren’t so sure.

The disciples panicked; they actually thought they might die.

Natural disasters happen today,

But those aren’t the storms that cause us distress

From day to day.

“Storms” come in other forms—

Think, what causes you to panic or worry:

Job security; children; marriage;

Studies; friends; or even when you’re in a hurry.

Whatever the circumstance there are only two options…

Firstly, we can worry all we want and think that nobody cares.

Secondly, we can overcome fear by trusting God.

The latter option is better because God can control life’s affairs.

Though we may know this truth,

That He controls both storms of nature and of the troubled heart,

We forget to ask Him or we just don’t bother.

The disciples too underestimated Him though they were with Him right from the start.

Somehow the disciples were oblivious to Jesus’ authority and the situation.

“Peace! Be still!” was all He thus saith.

After Jesus stopped the storm He turned to the disciples,

And he quietly said, “Why are you afraid, O you little of faith?”

He is willing to help if only we ask Him.

Don’t forget that Jesus is there

(but chances are that we might forget,

because it’s hard to think when we’re alone or in despair).

Nevertheless next time you meet with a storm,

Don’t go asking the storm to “stop”.

First confess our need to God,

And trust Him to care tiptop.

Just go to Him in prayer.

Just keep on.

May we learn to trust Him more,

By telling Him we need Him not just when we’re on the run.