We discussed how having Jesus in your life’s boat allows you to take a snooze in the middle of a storm the other day. Today, we’re going to pick up the story of the disciples right at the moment they go to their Master to wake Him up. While they’re panicking and crying because they think they’re going to die, Jesus wakes up from His slumber and addresses them as “little faiths.” This, I believe, is His prompting name for them because they’re acting like scared children who haven’t yet grasped the magnitude of who He is. He rebukes the wind and waves to demonstrate that He is God, and then, I imagine, He goes back to sleep (although this is not in the text). By the time He calmed the storm, the disciples should have realized that a boat with Jesus in it could not possibly sink! Contrary to popular belief, when you follow Jesus, your circumstances will frequently appear to be more hazardous, chaotic, and challenging than they have ever been, particularly when you first come to faith. This is because the devil doesn’t like your new life in Christ and will do everything he can to spiritually attack you. Even though storms are blowing around you and hell simmering beneath you, if you’re in the boat with Jesus, you can curl up next to Him and take a snooze; you can relax.

Friend, every storm will pass. Every period of poor weather will pass, and you will emerge stronger and more resilient than you have ever been. Furthermore, having weathered the storm will make you more Christlike, empathetic, and gentle. You will have a depth of insight that fortifies your heart, prepares you for the next storm, and empowers you to encourage others when they face their challenges because you sat with Jesus and allowed Him to rebuke the wind and the waves. Isn’t that fantastic news?