Mom Heart Moments #254

In the world you have tribulation, but take courage; I have overcome the world.

RIGHT IN THE MIDDLE OF JESUS’ LOVING, teaching, encouraging, and training His disciples, they embark on crossing the familiar lake where they have lived all their lives, and suddenly a life-threatening storm overtakes them.

How could this happen? Does Jesus want to lose all of His disciples at once? Is He trying to discourage them by letting this storm rage? After all, they had given up their whole lives to follow Him. Their hearts were dedicated to worshiping Him. They were busy serving other people day after day. And now this? I imagine they thought, Is this any way to treat those who are following You?

Just so, sometimes the “whaps” on our lives feel personal, invasive, and too much.

Have you ever felt that way? I have cooked. I have washed dishes. I have lost years of sleep. I have loved and served and given —does anyone notice? Does it matter? And now this? Another storm? Another problem? The relentlessness of life is about to drown me, Lord.

And so they wake Jesus up and ask, “Do you not care that we are perishing, Lord?” That is the question that we, too, have on our hearts when the storms come.

When He rises, He rebukes the storm’s wind and the ship settles on calm seas. Then he asks, “Where is your faith?” (Mark 4:35-41). I suppose the men looked at one another, garments soaked and askew, hair going every which way, eyes a bit wild from the excitement and fear of those moments when it seemed He was unaware or unconcerned about their dilemma.

Yet, He was there all along, waiting for them to call on Him.

Are you feeling like the storms of life are too much for you today, especially in light of all you’ve done to serve God? Remind yourself that He is with you, and storms are common to us all. Hold tight to Him, your Anchor in the storm, and know He has overcome the world.