Surviving the Storms of Life

by Gregory A. Johnson



Under dark skies with the wind blowing wildly, causing the waves to be hurricane-like in size and strength, they were all together in the boat. Their pulses raced with anxiety. 

Fear was on the verge of overpowering and overwhelming them as they frantically tried steering the vessel through the madness and the fierceness of the raging sea. They would row in one direction only to have to row in the other direction as the unrelenting, powerful winds were swirling all about them. 

The spray of the sea was stinging their eyes, and the waves were lapping up over the sides of the boat. The boat was taking on water, and the question of survival was racing through their minds. It was the storm of a lifetime, and they could not rely on any past experiences or self-ability to get them through it.

Jesus came to them in the darkest, most alarming hour of their storm, and he came in a surprising way—walking on top of the rough sea. As Jesus got close to the boat, the disciples were frightened. Jesus said to them, “‘It is I; do not be afraid.’ Then they were glad to take him into the boat, and immediately the boat was at the land to which they were going” (John 6:20-21 ESV).

The account of Jesus walking on the water in the Gospels reveal the actions of Jesus that will help us as we trust him during our storms of life (Matthew 14:22-33, Mark 6:45-52, John 6:16-21).

• Jesus was not threatened or alarmed by the storm.

• Jesus was watching out for his followers even when they did not realize it.

• Jesus rose above the storm and became prominent in the midst of it.

• Jesus gave his followers comfort.

• Jesus brought his followers safely through the storm.

The one they had been following had stayed on the land to spend time in prayer. As Jesus spent time in prayer that night, while his followers toiled in the storm, I imagine that they were the focus of His prayers. Jesus had known that the storm was coming when he sent them to go across the sea, but they had to learn to trust him, even when they did not see or feel his presence. They would have to expend all of themselves before they could realize that he was all that they truly needed.

Jesus has not changed. He cares and watches over his followers just the same today, coming to us, making his presence known in all the chaos, confusion, anxiety, fear, worry, and depression the storms of life can bring our way. Sometimes it is in the last half-hour of the storm, but he always comes right in time. It may be in surprising ways, but Jesus will come to us. He is never far away from his followers

Beloved, Jesus knows what you are going through today. He is saving you, and living to make intercession for you (Hebrews 7:25). He is making a way out for you. Before you know it, Jesus will have you safe and sound on solid ground. Don't let the fear of the storm overpower or overwhelm you. Jesus is teaching you to trust him in all situations, relying on his grace and peace that he freely gives to those who will receive. Everything around you may be falling apart, but you can rest assured that Jesus is on the way!

Know that you are loved,
gaj