Coping with storms

So they left the crowd; the disciples got into the boat in which Jesus was already sitting, and they took him with them. Other boats were there too. Suddenly a strong wind blew up, and the waves began to spill over into the boat, so that it was about to fill with water. Jesus was in the back of the boat, sleeping with his head on a pillow. The disciples woke him up and said, ‘Teacher, don’t you care that we are about to die?’
Jesus stood up and commanded the wind, ‘Be quiet!’ and he said to the waves, ‘Be still!’ The wind died down, and there was a great calm.  (verses 36-39)

Read Mark 4: 35-41

In my life there have been, and no doubt will continue to be, many storms. I sometimes wilt under the pressure of work. There have been times when I have let God down, and the people around me, very badly. There have been times when I have been hurt. I often let worries and problems get on top of me to the point of depression. I have worries about finances. The list goes on and on.

And usually I try to solve all my problems by myself. And when I can’t, I lash out at God. Where is he? Doesn’t he care? Trying to solve all of life’s problems by myself is a bit like trying to bail out a boat with a thimble and expecting it to stay afloat. Pointless! Especially when I always have with me someone who cares for me so much that he urges me to give all my anxieties to him.

I remember the times I did. There was a great calm.

Forgive me, Father, for my lack of trust in your promises. Help me to rely on you at all times, and may I always remember to thank and praise you for all your help. Amen.

by Bob Turnbull, in ‘New Strength for each Day’ (LCA, Openbook, 1998)

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