POST 49: Our Steady Companion in an Unsteady World
POST 49
Our Steady Companion in an Unsteady World
Life is unpredictable. There are times when it feels like we’re in the middle of a storm. Chaotic, messy, overwhelming—maybe even scary.
The disciples of Jesus knew something about storms. In fact, there was one storm in particular where they were so terrified and unsteady, they thought they might die! Gale-force winds? Waves crashing? Boat swamped? Yep, sounds like a regular Tuesday in our world too.
It’s exhausting to go through life when everything is constantly changing and out of our control. The circumstances of life can feel so overwhelming that it’s a wonder we get through them.
But there is one person in any storm who remains steady as a rock.
In the midst of this severe storm with his disciples, Jesus was in complete peace—in fact, he was so at peace, he decided to take a nap. How could Jesus be asleep while everyone else on the boat was fearing for their lives?
One of the names for Jesus in the Bible is the Prince of Peace. Sometimes we think peace means that everything is calm, quiet, and still. But peace is more than that. Jesus was peace in the middle of the storm—before he calmed the waves, he was already at peace.
The question Jesus asks the disciples is a signal to us. “Why are you frightened? Don’t you have faith yet?” (Mark 4:40).
Did Jesus have peace because he had faith?
The link between faith and peace is profound—but the important part is what, or whom, you have faith in.
Jesus often talked about his Father—God. He would go away from his followers to spend time alone with God. In John 10:30, he says, “I and the Father are one.” Their relationship was steady, and because of that, Jesus trusted that God was with Jesus and the disciples in the storm and would bring them through the storm.
We have access to the same peace Jesus carried because we have access to the same God Jesus had faith in. God is our steady companion in this unsteady world.
The story doesn’t end there.
Jesus didn’t just keep that peace for himself. When his followers were terrified, he got up and calmed the storm. The winds died down and the waves settled. He shared the peace.
You can do that too. Because once Jesus gives us peace, we don’t keep it for ourselves. We’re called to share that peace with others—it’s part of our purpose.
READING GOD’S WORD
Later that day, when evening came, Jesus said to them, “Let’s cross over to the other side of the lake.” They left the crowd and took him in the boat just as he was. Other boats followed along.
Gale-force winds arose, and waves crashed against the boat so that the boat was swamped. But Jesus was in the rear of the boat, sleeping on a pillow. They woke him up and said, “Teacher, don’t you care that we’re drowning?”
He got up and gave orders to the wind, and he said to the lake, “Silence! Be still!” The wind settled down and there was a great calm. Jesus asked them, “Why are you frightened? Don’t you have faith yet?”
Overcome with awe, they said to each other, “Who then is this? Even the wind and the sea obey him!” (Mark 4:35–41)
Journaling Questions
Do you ever feel unsteady in this world? Why?
How can you find peace in Jesus when you feel unsteady?
Pray This Prayer
God, you are my peace in a world that often feels chaotic and out of control. You are my steady companion. Even when the waves are crashing and the winds are blowing—you are with me. Remind me of the peace that is already mine that I can have whenever I feel overwhelmed. In Jesus’ name, amen.
SOMETHING TO TRY
Write the words “Be Still” somewhere you’ll see them often. When life feels overwhelming, repeat those words to yourself and remember how those words calmed the storm in Mark 4:39.
THE TAKEAWAY
Jesus is our steady companion in an unsteady world. We can find peace in our storms because of the God who holds our faith.