Scripture reading: Mark 4:35–41
My first real experience of ‘turbulence’ was probably when I encountered an eclamptic patient for the first time. She was a young woman, about seven months into her first pregnancy, who had been wheeled into the emergency room a few minutes after having a fit and losing consciousness. She went on to have a series of violent seizures — several bouts of vehement, untamable tremors involving her entire body — that had to be aborted with waves and waves of intravenous anticonvulsants. It was like a storm.
In Mark 4:35-41, we witness yet another storm. On the evening of a day when Jesus had been teaching His disciples powerful truths about the Kingdom, He decided to put them through a practical session on faith. He said to them, “Let us cross over to the other side,” and the disciples obliged, unaware of what lay ahead. Among them were seasoned fishermen who were no strangers to the Sea of Galilee and its occasional turbulence.
On their way across, “a huge storm came up. Waves poured into the boat, threatening to sink it” (Mark 4:37, MSG). Storms come to prepare us for ‘the other side’. God allows certain storms to shape and strengthen us for what’s next. In life, we will encounter many challenges. These challenges are meant to stretch us — to test and strengthen our capacity to overcome — and in the process, make us better. Without fire, there’s no refining. Faith must be tested, and our resolve must not waver when boisterous waves pour into our boat, threatening to sink it, because Jesus is in the stern.
“Jesus was in the stern, head on a pillow, sleeping! They roused him, saying, ‘Teacher, is it nothing to you that we’re going down?” (Mark 4:38, MSG). They were afraid. But three things should have put them at ease:
- Jesus had assured them they were going to the other side (verse 35).
- He was with them (verse 36).
- He was peacefully asleep as though there was no imminent danger (verse 38) — because, as we’ll soon see, there wasn’t.
Instead, they fixed their eyes on the waves. Faith perishes where fear thrives. And fear thrives when we focus on our turbulent circumstances instead of fastening our faith to the Rock that cannot move — Jesus. They failed the test (verse 40).
Jesus steps in. “…He told the wind to pipe down and said to the sea, ‘Quiet! Settle down!’ The wind ran out of breath; the sea became smooth as glass.” – Mark 4:39, MSG
One of the tenets of managing obstetric emergencies like eclampsia is to call for help. At times, experience alone is not enough. Occasionally, our faith may falter. But when we call on Jesus, He will intervene. When He speaks, the billowing waves settle like glass, and not a whisper is heard from the wind. When He speaks, the storm is over!
Let’s Pray
Lord, quieten these storms —
Waves of doubt threatening to flood my heart.
Let me know You are with me.
Lord, calm the turbulence —
Winds of fear threatening to shake my soul.
Let me know You are with me.
As the boisterous sea rages around me,
May Your unfailing Word anchor me.
In the midst of the storm — “Peace, be still!”
Reflections
- What are some examples of storms that tend to test your faith in God? What are you most afraid of?
- To deal with fear, you need faith. Faith comes by imbibing God’s Word.
- How can you keep yourself grounded in God’s Word?
- The essence of tests is growth. Beyond having a personal relationship with Him, God is invested in your journey — in you crossing to the other side.
- You are not alone, even when it feels like it. God is near.
- Call on Him in times of trouble — and He will answer (Psalm 50:15).
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