Calming the Storms in Life Through faith.
Stand with me, hold up your Bible and repeat after me.
This is my Bible.
I am what it says I am.
I can do what it says I can do.
I am going to learn how to be what it says I can be.
Today I will learn more of the word of God.
The indestructible, never ending, living word Of God.
I will never be the same.
I will never be the same.
In Jesus Name
Amen?
Before you sit down, say good morning to your brothers and sisters.
Calming the Storms in Life Through Faith
Turn with me to Mark 4:35-41 and say, “Amen” when you are there.
"That day when evening came, he said to his disciples, ‘Let us go over to the other side.’ Leaving the crowd behind, they took him along, just as he was, in the boat. There were also other boats with him. A furious squall came up, and the waves broke over the boat, so that it was nearly swamped. Jesus was in the stern, sleeping on a cushion. The disciples woke him and said to him, ‘Teacher, don’t you care if we drown?’
He got up, rebuked the wind and said to the waves, ‘Quiet! Be still!’ Then the wind died down and it was completely calm. He said to his disciples, ‘Why are you so afraid? Do you still have no faith?’
They were terrified and asked each other, ‘Who is this? Even the wind and the waves obey him!’”
Life’s storms come without warning—unexpected, fierce, and overwhelming.
Just like the disciples in the boat, we often find ourselves in the middle of a storm, desperate for answers, questioning where God is.
Today, we’re going to talk about a profound truth: Jesus, the same One who calmed the wind and the waves, is with us in the storms of life.
He promises us peace that surpasses understanding.
While He may not always remove the storm, He will calm the storm within us.
The disciples were not spared from the storm, but in the storm, they encountered the power and presence of Jesus, and that changed everything.
1. The Storms Are Real, But So Is God’s Presence
The disciples were in the middle of a violent storm, yet Jesus was asleep. It seemed like He didn’t care. But Jesus was in the boat with them the entire time. His presence was the answer to their fear, even though they didn’t recognize it at the moment.
The storm didn’t intimidate Him. And His peace was stronger than the chaos around them.
Consider the story of Sarah, a woman who had lost her mother unexpectedly. She found herself drowning in grief, asking God, “Where are You?”
In a moment of deep sorrow, as she cried out to Him, she felt a wave of peace wash over her. It wasn’t that the grief disappeared, but she realized, for the first time, that God’s presence was with her. God didn't take away her pain, but He gave her the strength to face it. She testified, “It was as if God wrapped His arms around me, and I knew I wasn’t alone.”
This is the truth: God is with us in our storms. He hasn’t abandoned us. His presence brings peace. It’s not the absence of the storm but the confidence that God is in the boat with us.
2. Faith Doesn’t Eliminate the Storm, But It Calms Our Hearts
When the storm raged, the disciples were afraid. They woke Jesus up, saying, “Don’t you care if we drown?” Jesus didn’t immediately calm the storm; He asked, “Why are you so afraid? Do you still have no faith?”
Jesus wasn’t rebuking them for being afraid of the storm; He was pointing out that their fear was greater than their faith in His ability to protect them.
Let me share a powerful testimony of a man named John, who faced an unexpected job loss. The financial uncertainty caused him deep anxiety, and he wondered how he would survive. But in his moment of fear, John chose to lean into faith. He didn’t know what would happen next, but he trusted God. He prayed, “Lord, I don’t understand, but I trust You. Provide for me.”
Slowly, over time, new opportunities began to open up. He found a better job than he could have imagined, with more security and purpose.
Faith doesn’t always change the external storm immediately. But faith changes how we respond to it. It shifts our focus from the magnitude of the storm to the greatness of our God. When we trust Him, we find peace in the middle of our trials.
3. Jesus Has the Power to Speak Peace Over Your Storm
When Jesus awoke, He spoke directly to the storm, commanding, “Quiet! Be still!” The wind died down, and the sea became completely calm.
This is the power of Jesus—He speaks with authority over everything, even the wind and the waves.
Jesus doesn’t just have power over physical storms; He has the power to speak peace into the storms of our hearts.
His words bring calm, healing, and restoration.
Emily, a young woman battling anxiety and panic attacks, found herself in a storm of fear. Every day, it felt as if her mind was spiraling. One night, in the midst of a panic attack, she prayed, “Jesus, I need You to calm this storm in me.”
As she prayed, she felt a quiet whisper: “Peace, be still.” In that moment, the fear didn’t instantly disappear, but the peace of God filled her in a way that she couldn’t explain.
That night marked the beginning of her journey to freedom. The storm didn’t disappear right away, but the peace Jesus gave her anchored her through it.
Jesus has the power to speak peace over the chaos in your heart. He wants to calm your fears, quiet your worries, and replace your anxiety with His perfect peace.
4. Trusting Jesus Leads to True Peace
After Jesus calmed the storm, the disciples were filled with awe, asking, “Who is this? Even the wind and the waves obey Him!” Their fear turned to reverence.
The storm was the catalyst that led them to a deeper understanding of Jesus’ power and authority. Their faith grew stronger as they recognized that Jesus wasn’t just a teacher—He was the Creator of the storm, the One who holds all things together.
Trusting Jesus doesn’t mean that storms won’t come. It means that when they do come, we know we don’t have to face them alone. And in the middle of the storm, we can experience peace that only He can give.
A Call to Surrender Your Storms to Jesus
If you are facing a storm today—whether it’s a health crisis, a financial struggle, a relationship issue, or a spiritual battle—Jesus is inviting you to bring your storm to Him.
He promises to be with you, to speak peace over your situation, and to give you the strength to endure.
Time of Prayer and Altar Call:
I want to invite you to come forward today if you are ready to lay your storm at the feet of Jesus. If fear has taken hold of your heart, come and surrender it to Him. If you need peace in the middle of your struggle, come and receive it. If you’ve been holding on to your own strength, now is the time to trust Him fully.
The altar is open.
I invite you to come, kneel, and allow Jesus to speak peace into your heart.
You don’t have to carry your burdens alone. Jesus is waiting to meet you where you are.
Prayer:
“Lord Jesus, we thank You for Your presence in our lives. We acknowledge that storms are inevitable, but we also know that You are with us. You have power over the winds and the waves, and You have the power to calm the storms in our hearts. We surrender our fears, our anxieties, and our struggles to You today. Speak peace over us. Bring comfort, healing, and strength. Help us to trust You fully, even when the storm seems overwhelming. In Your name, we pray. Amen.
