Rest in The Storm
Mark 4:37-40 (ESV) 37 And a great windstorm arose, and the waves were breaking into the boat, so that the boat was already filling. 38 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?” 39 And he awoke and rebuked the wind and said to the sea, “Peace! Be still!” And the wind ceased, and there was a great calm. 40 He said to them, “Why are you so afraid? Have you still no faith?”
Have you ever been in a storm or faced something that created fear, anxiety, and panic? As we read the story of Jesus’ disciples as they face their storm, they encounter these overpowering emotions, which negatively impact them. Contrast this with Jesus and what He was doing in the middle of the storm. He was sleeping comfortably at the bottom of the boat, not influenced by the storm. Emotions did not control Jesus, but His faith directed His actions.
I am not saying Jesus did not face emotions, but He did not allow them to overwhelm Him. Jesus relied on His faith, and from it He was able to rest. This is not to minimize the emotions we face and the value they serve, but as sons of Yahweh, we are to walk by the spirit and not by our feelings. And as you walk by the spirit, there is peace and rest in it.
So, as you start your day, consider how you respond to obstacles or challenges. Do your emotions get the best of you and rob you of peace and rest? Or do you hear and walk by the Holy Spirit and place your faith in Him? Are you able to sleep in the middle of your storm?