The Storm Within

We may not be able to calm the storm that surrounds us, but we can do something about the storm within.

On that day, when evening had come, he said to them, “Let us go across to the other side.” And leaving the crowd behind, they took him with them in the boat, just as he was. Other boats were with him. A great windstorm arose, and the waves beat into the boat, so that the boat was already being swamped. But he was in the stern, asleep on the cushion; and they woke him up and said to him, “Teacher, do you not care that we are perishing?” He woke up and rebuked the wind, and said to the sea, “Peace! Be still!” Then the wind ceased, and there was a dead calm. He said to them, “Why are you afraid? Have you still no faith?” And they were filled with great awe and said to one another, “Who then is this, that even the wind and the sea obey him?” - Mark 4:35-41

By calming the storm in the sea, Jesus taught his disciples a lesson.

We may not be capable of taming the seas or calming the storm that rages around us, but with faith we can address how we deal with them.

Jesus was resting, despite the storm.  He did not let it hold him captive.  He seemed fearless, when he was full of faith.

But instead of the disciples learning that they could have dealt with the challenge of the storm differently, they were amazed at Jesus' power over the wind and the rain.

Did they miss the point?

We tend to see ourselves as powerless, subject to the forces of the world around us, when we have the power within to control how we deal with them when they manifest themselves against us.

We don't need to be afraid.  The Spirit of God dwells within, and Jesus is always with us.

So, why do we fear?

I think we forget that storms will rage in our environment, but they need not rage within.  We can control how we react to the world around us, and in that sense, we, too, have the power to calm the storm.

So, the next time someone or something causes us to feel the pressure or the anger that is being sent our way, we can remember that God can help us deal with it.  We need not be overwhelmed or overcome.

We can stay calm.  Be still.  

More to come...