Sleeping in the Storm

Are you going through a hard time in your life? Are you having a trial that you cannot possibly imagine getting through? Have you obeyed what Jesus has asked of you and still found that you are going through a Storm?

Your not the only one.

Lets take a deeper Glance at Mark 4:35-40

As evening came, Jesus said to his disciples, “Let’s cross to the other side of the lake.” 36 So they took Jesus in the boat and started out, leaving the crowds behind (although other boats followed). 37 But soon a fierce storm came up. High waves were breaking into the boat, and it began to fill with water.
38 Jesus was sleeping at the back of the boat with his head on a cushion. The disciples woke him up, shouting, “Teacher, don’t you care that we’re going to drown?”
39 When Jesus woke up, he rebuked the wind and said to the waves, “Silence! Be still!” Suddenly the wind stopped, and there was a great calm. 40 Then he asked them, “Why are you afraid? Do you still have no faith?”   (NLT)

First, I want you notice that Jesus says to the disciples, "Lets cross to the other side of the lake." When he says this... it's an order, but also a choice. The disciples choose to do it. Jesus doesn't just say," Hey you guys, go to the other side.. I will wait here."  No, he says LETS... Jesus is asking them to do something, but not on their own. He goes with them.

Well wait a minute, if Jesus goes with them why is there a storm? & then you may ask, and if Jesus knew there would be a storm, why did he send them out?  (we will get to this)

Lets check what scripture says.... 

Jesus was sleeping...Let me pause again.... I find this hilarious... I can just picture all these people running around as the boat is filling up with water and the storms a brewing and Jesus is cuddled up, peacefully napping... alone while EVERYONE else is awake and worried. Why was Jesus the only one asleep?

Well, there's always a lesson in what Jesus does.

While the storm is going on and Jesus is asleep... the Disciples panic and what do they do... they call out to him saying "Teacher, don't you care that were going to drown?"

I want you to notice first that they call out...they don't just cry out Jesus SAVE US... they cry out TEACHER... Jesus was SILENTLY sleeping... and when there is a test...aren't most teachers quiet?

Continuing on-- the disciples go on to say...don't you care that were going to drown?

Would you say that they are looking at the wrong end of things? I think it's safe to say...that they are looking at the problem...they are looking at the worst outcome. They are not asking Jesus if he will stop the storm.. but they are asking if he cares.

How many of us call out to Jesus like this.... we say something like "God, I am going through this storm and I am going to drown! Don't you care Jesus?! Where are you Jesus? I am going to die and you aren't even worried!"

You may think Jesus is not with you...But GET THIS, Jesus...as soon as his disciples CALL out to him... he wakes up... and he says SILENCE. BE STILL... the waves cease. and there was a great calm.. not just a regular calm..but a great one.

Then he asks, Why are you afraid? Don't you have faith?

So let me ask you, Why are you afraid of the storm you are going through? Don't you have faith?

Jesus doesn't ask us to go through it alone, he sends us out so we can learn to call upon him... but he doesn't want us to be afraid and ask him if he cares, if he didn't care, he wouldn't have died on the cross to SAVE us. He died, so we could overcome death... death...my friends... is the worst outcome and just as the disciples were crying out...they believed they were going to die..that they were going to drown.

Your storm will not drown you, Jesus is on the boat with you and instead of crying out to him saying " Jesus don't you care? Jesus where are you?", Cry out to him with HOPE and FAITH and ask him "Jesus, I know you are there in this storm. I know that you can calm the sea and calm the storm in me. I know that you are mighty to save and that you can release me from this prison.. I know that your power is bigger than my problem and I have FAITH that you will hear and keep me from drowning."

Jesus will wake up to your cry, but don't you think he would much rather wake up to your cry of faith? He is going to stop the winds reguardless....but why worry then if the winds will cease?

If anything...while you walk through this part in your life.... remember this... Have Faith in Jesus, it Keeps us at peace, Keeps us still.. and the Storm in Us Ceases when we call upon Jesus and His Spirit Wakes up inside of our soul.


JESUS WILL ALWAYS WAKE UP.