Where is your faith?
Have you ever been in a frightful situation? Have you been so afraid that you could not think properly to even remember that you have faith in the Lord? I have…I have experienced some fearful situations and then I caught myself wondering why I ever allowed my imagination run away to fear rather than to faith and trust in the Lord.
One day, as Jesus travelled with His disciples, they followed Him onto a boat. Jesus told them, “Let us go over to the other side of the lake.” During the trip on the lake, Jesus slept. A storm arose and the wind was strong and their pleasant boat ride became a terrifying experience. The boat took on water and the disciples were very afraid as they battled the storm. They woke Jesus and they were surprised that He spoke to the storm, He told the wind and the crashing waves to stop. The disciples marveled at His words and how He commanded the wind and the waves. They were probably also surprised at His question: “Where is your faith?”
One take away from this story that we find in the eighth chapter of Luke, in the New Testament, is that Jesus never said, get in the boat and we might make it to the other side. Nor did He say, get in the boat and hopefully we will make it safely across the lake. Jesus said, “Let us go over to the other side of the lake.” Jesus was certain that they would safely reach the other side of the lake. Jesus knew for certain that they would have a successful journey. He was so sure that during the trip, He slept. The disciples did not understand. The disciples did not focus on the fact that Jesus was with them and that He would protect them during the storm, even when it seemed hopeless. As I read this story, I get it. I totally understand why the disciples freaked out and were afraid. The wind was strong, the waves crashed against their boat, and the water level in the boat kept getting higher. Their situation seemed hopeless.
After Jesus calmed the wind and the waves, the storm ceased. He then asked them, “Where is your faith?” They were probably speechless. I understand them because when I find myself in a frightening situation and take time to focus on the Lord, I too am speechless. I realize that I have nothing to fear when I trust the Lord regardless of my circumstances. I have faith in Jesus and I can depend on Him to help me in my most frightening situations, the same way the disciples were able to trust Him to take control of the storm which seemed so powerful at the time. Jesus did not fear, He knew they would cross the lake safely. Jesus knew the storm would come and yet He did not fear the storm, He slept.
What a powerful message. This story touched my heart and is such a wonderful reminder that daily I need to trust the Lord, regardless of my circumstances, even when things in my life seem hopeless. I can chose to focus on the situation or I can chose to focus on the One who can calm the storm. What is the storm in your life today? What is the frightening situation you face? Is it unemployment, a broken relationship, the current economy, politics, climate, personal loss, heartache, finances, or divorce? Whatever your storm, whatever the situation that filled your life and mind with fear, give that burden to the Lord. Ask Jesus to help you release the fear, the anxiety, and ask Him to fill your life with His peace. His peace is not like the world’s temporary peace; His peace is real and it is powerful. Take a moment right now and surrender all of your fear, all of your anxiety and ask Jesus to replace it with His peace. Have faith in Jesus because He loves you and gave His life for you. You can trust Him today.