Normally, the rocking rhythm of a boat on the water would put Peter right to sleep. A fisherman before he gave it all up to follow Jesus, he was use to rough nights on the water.
But there was something different about this storm. There was an eerie feeling in his gut that Peter just couldn’t shake. He glanced around to see the other disciples talking among themselves.
Through the driving rain, Peter began to wonder where Jesus was. When he’d looked everywhere, Peter went below deck and was astounded at what he saw. There was his Jesus, sleeping as peacefully as a baby! Didn’t He see what was happening?!
“A squall came down on the lake, so that the boat was being swamped, and they were in great danger.” ~Luke 8:23
He wastes no time, grabbing onto Jesus’ shoulder. He shakes him forcefully. “We’re about to drown here!” His urgency is unmistakable.
Jesus immediately rises and calms the storm. “Where is your faith?” he asks in the sudden silence.
When we encounter storms in life—like a serious diagnosis, the death of a friend, or the abandonment of a loved one—it can feel like we’re going to drown. The pain is threatening to take us under and we doubt we’ll survive that rip tide.
It’s in these moments that we’re tempted to doubt and say, “Are you asleep at the wheel, Jesus?”
But just as Jesus proved He was in control of the wind and waves that night, He’s in control of your storm, too. The pain won’t last forever and the skies will clear again. God is holding onto you today, beloved.
Today’s Prayer
God, help me when I’m tempted to freak out. Sometimes, I focus on the storm rather than on Your power. Help me to rest in Your embrace today.
In Jesus’ name, Amen.
