Facing The Storms Of Life

Title: Facing the Storms of Life

Text: Mark 6:45–52

Introduction

Think back on the storms we’ve all seen…

9/11…

Hurricane Katrina…

Earthquakes and tsunamis in Japan…

Maybe more personal ones: the death of a loved one… the loss of a job… your spouse walking out…

Big or small, national or personal—storms come.

And we often find ourselves asking: Why?

Why would God allow this?

Why would a loving God allow bad things to happen to good people?

We wrestle with that question, and it’s not a new one. But Scripture shows us that sometimes, storms are the only route between where we are and where God wants us to be.

1. God May Use the Storm to Move You (vv. 45–47)

Right before our passage, Jesus had just performed one of His most famous miracles: feeding 5,000 people with a little boy’s lunch. The crowd was amazed—and Jesus knew exactly what they were about to do.

Verse 45: “Immediately Jesus made His disciples get into the boat…”

Why?

Because the people wanted to crown Him king on the spot.

That sounds great—except it wasn’t time for that.

Jesus didn’t come to be crowned by a crowd—He came to be crucified on a cross.

And He knew how easy it would be for the disciples to get caught up in the excitement.

So what does He do?

He sends the disciples away—onto the water.

And He goes up the mountain alone to pray.

Let me tell you something: sometimes Jesus will send you into the storm on purpose.

Not because He doesn’t love you—but because He does.

He saw the danger of the crowd’s intentions. He saw the pressure to conform. And He had other plans for His men.

It’s always easier to go along with the crowd than to stand with Christ.

Jesus wasn’t trying to punish the disciples—He was protecting them.

And the best way to stay focused on the will of God? Spend time with the Father. Jesus knew that. So should we.

2. God Sees You in the Storm (vv. 48–50)

While Jesus was on the mountain, the disciples were on the water—and the wind wasn’t cooperating.

It was now late at night—around 3 a.m.

They were straining at the oars—rowing, sweating, struggling—and getting nowhere.

And here's what’s amazing: Jesus saw them.

Now remember, it was dark. But around the time of Passover, there would’ve been a full moon, lighting the sea.

Jesus wasn’t right beside them, but He could still see them.

You may feel far from God in your storm, but you are never out of His sight.

And then, verse 48 tells us something amazing:

“He came to them, walking on the sea…”

Now, let’s be honest: if you saw a man walking on water in the middle of the night—you’d probably scream too.

They thought He was a ghost.

Fear took over.

But Jesus didn’t rebuke them for their fear. He spoke to them.

“Take courage; it is I, do not be afraid.”

Friend, it’s in the middle of the storm—not after it’s passed—that Jesus speaks peace.

3. Jesus Calms the Storm When He’s Invited In (vv. 51–52)

Once they realized it was Jesus, what did they do?

They welcomed Him into the boat.

And when He got in, the wind stopped.

He didn’t promise them smooth sailing—He promised them His presence.

And that changed everything.

Let’s be clear: the disciples had seen miracles before. They had just helped hand out food to over 5,000 people.

But verse 52 tells us something shocking:

“They had not gained any insight from the incident of the loaves, but their heart was hardened.”

Translation?

They missed the point.

So Jesus allowed a storm—not to scare them, but to teach them something they hadn’t yet grasped.

This time, the miracle wasn’t about the crowd—it was personal.

Application: What’s the Point of the Storm?

The disciples would’ve never reached the other side—or grown the way they did—without the storm.

Their lives were changed during the storm.

Other lives were changed because of it.

And the same may be true for you.

Maybe the trial you’re walking through isn’t just about you.

Maybe God is working through your storm to shape someone else, too.

We don’t always understand His reasons. But we can trust this:

“I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for calamity—to give you a future and a hope.” (Jeremiah 29:11)

We focus on the physical, the temporary.

God focuses on the spiritual, the eternal.

If the only way God can move you from where you are to where you need to be is through a storm—then yes, it’s worth it.

Conclusion:

So… what storm are you facing today?

Does it feel like God has sent you out into rough waters alone?