Encouragement for Today

November 1, 2024 Embracing Peace Amid Chaos SHALA W. GRAHAM Lee en español

“When Jesus woke up, he rebuked the wind and said to the waves, ‘Silence! Be still!’ Suddenly the wind stopped, and there was a great calm. Then he asked them, ‘Why are you afraid? Do you still have no faith?’” Mark 4:39-40 (NLT)

A month after I moved to a new city, Hurricane Beryl came through with vicious winds and rain, waking me from my sleep. The power flickered off and on every 30 minutes or so until it stayed off for the next 36 hours.

My beloved view of the city that brought me so much peace was now filled with uncertainty. I could see the river near my apartment rising by the foot as tree branches bent helplessly in the wind. I could hear my windows creaking, and I just knew any second now, the wind was going to suck them right out of my walls!

Thankfully, it did not.

Walking through my home with anxiety in my chest, my thoughts suddenly turned to Jesus. How did Jesus sleep in a boat during a storm?

The Gospel of Mark tells us the story of Jesus crossing a lake with His disciples when a fierce storm rocked the boat:

“High waves were breaking into the boat, and it began to fill with water. Jesus was sleeping at the back of the boat with his head on a cushion. The disciples woke him up, shouting, ‘Teacher, don’t you care that we’re going to drown?’ When Jesus woke up, he rebuked the wind and said to the waves, ‘Silence! Be still!’ Suddenly the wind stopped, and there was a great calm. Then he asked them, ‘Why are you afraid? Do you still have no faith?’” (Mark 4:37b-40, NLT).

In the past when I thought of this story, I took jabs at the disciples for their lack of faith. Hello, Jesus is in the boat with you! Duh! Or I piously thought I would have been lying right next to Jesus, taking a nap while chaos circled around me.

But as I felt the anxiety of being all alone during my first hurricane, I was humbled by my own humanity and could empathize with the disciples.

Still, Jesus beckoned them, as He beckons us, to deeper faith. As the waters rise, so must our faith. He calls us to embrace peace amid all forms of chaos in our lives. He speaks over our anxiety and fear: “Silence! Be still” (Mark 4:39). He calls us to come near, to pull up a cushion and rest in Him.

Yes, Jesus does care. And in due time, He will calm the storm.

Until then, we can usher in peace by focusing on a few truths:

• Our good God is accomplishing something good in us, even through the storm.
• Storms don’t last forever.
• In the end, Jesus wins.

Father, we confess we all too often allow the big and small storms of life to diminish our faith in Your protection and provision. When the turmoil in our hearts begins to stir, help us to be still and trust in the power of Your presence. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

OUR FAVORITE THINGS

Betrayal can come in so many different forms. Maybe a friend tells a secret you trusted them with. Or your spouse is making decisions that are breaking your heart. Or maybe a co-worker threw you under the bus. Underneath it all, if you’re honest, you feel betrayed by God. Why didn’t He step in? Friend, these feelings are so understandable. That’s why Lysa TerKeurst, Dr. Joel Muddamalle and counselor Jim Cress are discussing all of this and more in a recent Therapy & Theology conversation here. Don’t miss this one!

ENGAGE

Visit Shala W. Graham’s website, Calling Qualified Ministries, to access free resources to activate you in your calling to Jesus. You can also find Shala on Instagram for more everyday reminders of God’s unlimited truths.

FOR DEEPER STUDY

Psalm 46:5, “God is within her, she will not fall; God will help her at break of day” (NIV).

John 14:27, “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid” (NIV).

Just like the disciples, we will experience storms as we journey with Jesus. What scriptures can anchor you to the peace of Jesus as you wait on the Lord?

© 2024 by Shala W. Graham. All rights reserved.

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