Following Jesus into the Storm

Trust in the Lord with all your heart and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him, and he will make your paths straight. – Proverbs 3:5-6

In Mark 6, we read that the disciples got into a boat at night and set out across the sea. They were obeying Jesus’ directive, but they ran directly into a storm. Their obedience literally took them into the nucleus of a disaster.

I wish I could tell you that when you follow Jesus, you’ll never have to face any storms. I wish I could tell you that when you follow Jesus, the waters of life will always be calm. I wish I could tell you that when you follow Jesus, life will be rosy and all of your days sweet.

But I can’t.

Jesus’ disciples were obeying Him, and they ran into rough seas. The disciples discovered, as many of us have also discovered, that you can be in the center of God’s will and still run into a storm.

Some preachers and Christian authors will tell you that if you follow Jesus, you will never have to face any challenges in life. That wasn’t true for Jesus or any of His followers that I know of. When we follow Jesus, we aren’t immune from troubles, but we can experience His presence in the midst of the trouble.

Life comes with troubles regardless of whether you follow Jesus. The question is, do you want Him to join you in your troubles, or would you rather go it alone?