“Why are you so afraid? Do you still have no faith?”

Mark 4:35-41

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!”

Storms are inevitable. When we face health issues, family chaos, job loss, or broken relationships, it can feel like everything is crashing down around us. We feel like we’re sinking—scared and hopeless.

I’m in a storm right now, and to be honest, I feel hopeless. It seems like Jesus is asleep and doesn’t care what’s happening. Why doesn’t He fix this? Can’t He hear me asking, pleading, crying out?

I’m losing heart.

Where is Jesus?

Wake up!

But Jesus gently shakes His head at me: When will you learn? After all these years, do you still have no faith?

My faith has faltered. It feels like I should just give up.

But Jesus isn’t absent. He knows exactly what’s happening in my storm. Maybe He’s waiting for me to trust Him. Instead of giving up, I need to ramp up my faith. Instead of getting through the storm on my own, I need Him to take control.

He has calmed storms in my life many times before. If you look back over your own life, you may see His work woven through many of your struggles.

Just like with the disciples, Jesus is with us in the boat. He’s not sitting in Heaven, distant and uninvolved; He’s in the storm with us. He’s sitting on our couch, riding in our car, and standing beside us through the wind and waves.

Are you in the midst of a storm? Don’t lose hope.

He has power over the wind and waves.

He has everything under control. Have faith!

“So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.” Isaiah 41:10 (NIV)