“Don’t you care if we drown?”
The disciples asked Jesus this question during a storm in Mark 4:35-41. It was Jesus who requested a late-night boat ride in the Sea of Galilee when a large storm threatens their lives. The disciples are panicked and upset that Jesus is sleeping. They ask Jesus if he cares about their lives.
This is a common question that many ask Jesus when in the middle of a storm. We wonder if Jesus really cares if something bad happens to us. Your question may be: Jesus, don’t you care if I lose my job and can’t pay my bills? Jesus, don’t you care if my marriage is in ruins or that I am single and lonely? Jesus, don’t you care that my health is in jeopardy?
The disciples asked this question because of Jesus’ inaction. While the disciples are working and trying to save their lives, Jesus is just sleeping. He’s not contributing or doing anything to help them. How often do we try to fix our problems and we get upset with Jesus because it seems like he is also “sleeping” on the job? It seems that we are doing all the work and we assume that Jesus is not pulling his weight. We get upset because we expect Jesus to at least be awake and help. Many of us feel that Jesus is asleep in our lives. We wrongly assume that he’s not working.
In the story, Jesus does wake up and he rebukes the storm and it calms down. He then rebukes the disciples. The disciples asked Jesus one question, but Jesus, in true Jesus style, asked them two questions. He asked them “Why are you afraid” and “Do you still have no faith?” Jesus used this as a teaching moment to teach them about faith. It wasn’t about caring or solving the storm. It is about having faith during the storm. The disciples didn’t have it in that moment. Jesus did. How do you know if you have faith during the storm? Here are four ways that show that you have faith while you are in the storms of life.
You can sleep during the storm
Sleep is a sign of faith. Most of us can’t sleep during the storm because we are anxious, worried and consumed with fears. We are afraid of what may happen or will happen. Even though it’s only in our head, it impacts our sleep and ability to rest. We can never truly rest or be at rest. Jesus is asleep not only because he’s tired from a full day of ministry but also because he has faith. He knows that there is a storm but he’s not worried about it. He’s not afraid of it. He has faith in God.
People who have faith in Jesus can sleep at night. They know where their security, trust and hope comes from. Psalm 4:8 is a good example.
In peace I will lie down and sleep, for you alone, Lord, make me dwell in safety.
Psalm 4:8
If you can’t sleep right now or are not getting rest then you may be consumed by fear more than by faith.
You believe in the size of God rather than the size of the problem
When we go through these storms of life, we tend to look at the size of the problem. The disciples saw the size of the storm. Jesus saw the size of God. Jesus knew that God has authority over the winds and the seas. People of faith recognize and acknowledge the storms and problems of life, but they also believe that God is bigger than those storms and problems.
Hebrews 13: 6
“The Lord is my helper; I will not be afraid.
What can mere mortals do to me?”
When we truly know who God is then we don’t need to be afraid. We can have faith that God will help us and be there for us through the storms.
You think positively and see opportunities or possibilities
The disciples could only see one option, death. They only saw the negative in the storms. Jesus saw the positives. He saw opportunities and possibilities. He knew that God could take care of this.
People of faith see the positivities even in a negative situation. It doesn’t mean that they don’t see the negatives too. They know that life can throw you lemons but people of faith know that God can make lemonade with those lemons. They see options.
Philippians 4:11-13
11 I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. 12 I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. 13 I can do all this through him who gives me strength.
Paul doesn’t let circumstances dictate his attitude. No matter how bad the storm is, you can still see the positives and potentials because God is with you.
You make it about God and others
When we live in fear, we only see ourselves. We make it about ourselves. We wonder if God is there or cares about us. Jesus did not. He made it about God. He made it about helping the disciples have faith in God during the storm.
People of faith don’t look inward during the storms, but look toward others. They want to help and increase faith. They want to see God and help others increase their faith in God.
Hebrews 10:24
24 And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds,
We need to encourage and build each other. Faith looks outward and wants to help others.
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