I have been on the Sea of Galilee. The guide told our group that the location of the Sea of Galilee in the Jordan Rift causes tempests to flare up violently with little or no notice. A tempest like that could be daunting, and the one the disciples encountered was at night. Had the moon been out, the clouds would have hidden it. In the deepest dark of night, out in the middle of the sea, the storm surely must have caught the disciples off-guard. The storm tested not only their boating expertise, but also their emotions. I can feel their fear.

I can see Peter drenched to the bone, along with the rest of the disciples on this tempestuous sea. I’m not surprised when they woke Jesus up and asked Him, “Teacher! Don’t You care that we’re going to die?” I probably would have done the same thing. In fact, I can’t really see Peter just asking the question; I picture him yelling it! “Jesus, don’t you care that we are about to die?! Wake up!!!”

Sometimes, it doesn’t seem like God is in tune with our situations. Whatever our storms may be— whether they are health, financial, relational or job troubles—it can seem like God is asleep in the boat. When we find ourselves in stormy conditions we, like the disciples, may want to say, “Jesus, please wake up! We’re in a mess, and we’re afraid. Do something. We’re not going to make it.”

It is precisely in those times when we feel so weak and helpless that Jesus’ authority is most visibly strong.

God does some of His best work in those moments when we don’t think He’s working at all. Sometimes, God lets you hit rock bottom so that you will discover He is the Rock at the bottom. Whatever the case, you can trust His work is motivated by a heart of love for your good (Romans 8:28).

Jesus got up from His slumber, faced the storm, and spoke to the sea, “Silence! Be still!” Two brief commands, and the storm obeyed. The word for “silence” comes from the root word siope, which literally means “hold your peace.” Jesus told the storm to be quiet. To stop its noise. To hush its fuss. Similar to a parent correcting an unruly toddler, Jesus told the sea to settle down.

It was as simple and as immediate as that. Scripture tells us, “There was a great calm.”

Thunder and lightning might be chasing each other all around you. The wind could be blowing unexpected and unpleasant circumstances into your life. Nothing looks right. Nothing looks promising. All is night. But it is precisely in those times that Jesus’ authority trumps the storm. With a simple word from His lips, He can calm the chaos.

So when you find yourself in a problem, don’t forget the promises of God. Remember what Jesus has said. He is right there with you. Grab a pillow, and trust Him to calm the waves.

Why We Do What We Do

“Dr. Evans,

I heard you on the radio talking about how God takes us through detours on the way to our destiny. It was almost like God had been listening to my heart's cry and answered it before I even had words to articulate it. Thank you so much for your passion for the Word." - Denise