Many people have heard about Jesus calming the storm. He was sleeping in the front of the boat while the disciples were panicking (Matthew 8:23-24). A storm was raging around them, and they feared drowning (Matthew 8:25). Once they awakened Jesus, He rebuked the wind and the waves, calming the storm (Matthew 8:26).
Often, Christians mistakenly use this account as a teaching lesson about how Jesus calms the “storms” of life. Just because Jesus calmed the wind and waves does not mean He will stop any troubles from happening in our lives.
Believers are not exempt from hardship and pain in this life. In fact, Christ told us that we will experience trouble (John 16:33). He certainly can stop our problems if that is His will. However, from what we know in Scripture, He often allows hardships and “storms” to strengthen our faith.
Why Did Jesus Calm the Storm?
One of the main reasons Christians think the story of Jesus calming the storm is about stopping life’s troubles is because they have misapplied the account. Instead of allowing the passage to speak for itself, we have turned the story into a lesson about ourselves.
Yes, we will experience times in life that feel like a terrible tempest at sea, but this does not mean we should force this text of Scripture to teach what we want it to say.
In the account, the disciples followed Christ into a boat to cross the lake (Matthew 8:23; Mark 4:35; Luke 8:22). When the fierce storm came upon the boat, the disciples were sure they were going to drown (Matthew 8:25; Mark 4:38; Luke 8:24).
When Jesus awoke, He asked His disciples “Where is your faith?” (Luke 8:25). They still did not understand Jesus’ power.
The focus of the passage is Jesus. After experiencing His power, the disciples stood in awe of the Lord, wondering “What kind of man is this? Even the winds and the waves obey him!” (Matthew 8:27).
They knew no one else but God can control the weather or nature. By calming the wind and the waves, Jesus displayed His power as God.
Instead of focusing on ourselves when reading this passage, believing Jesus will calm all our troubles in life, we should contemplate what these verses teach us about Christ. He is the all-powerful Lord, Creator, and Savior of humankind.
The man who slept peacefully through the storm is also God who rebuked the wind and waves. Like the disciples, we too should stand in awe and worship Christ.
We Are Not Immune to Hardship
As Christians, we are not promised lives of “smooth sailing” with comfort and happiness. Scripture reminds us, “Everyone who wants to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted” (2 Timothy 3:12).
When we wholeheartedly follow Jesus, we can expect trouble. Satan will try to keep us from being fruitful because he wants to keep unbelievers in spiritual bondage (2 Corinthians 4:4). Our sin nature will also fight against us, rising with an increased desire to rebel against God (Galatians 5:17).
Finally, we will inevitably experience some form of persecution, either physically, depending on where we live, or through ridicule. The world will hate us for following Christ because it first hated Him (John 15:18).
Multiple people in the Bible were hit by intense opposition and trouble during their life because they followed the Lord. Shadrach, Meshach, and Abendego were not kept from going into the fiery furnace when they refused to worship the golden image (Daniel 3:13-20).
Neither Stephen nor James was kept from experiencing martyrdom because of their faith in Christ (Acts 7:54-60; 12:2).
Even the Apostle Paul, a man who penned a substantial portion of the New Testament and spread the gospel across the Roman Empire, was not immune to suffering (2 Corinthians 11:23-28). Christ did not calm their storms but walked with them through the trials.
Jesus’ Promise of Peace
Although Christ does not promise to take away our problems, He will be with us through our trials. Notice Jesus’ words in John 16:33: “I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world, you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”
Yes, we are told we will have trouble, but He offers us peace. Instead of sinking into despair, we can have courage as we face trials.
Offering us peace and hope amid life’s storms, He will be our anchor in times of distress. His peace is assured and true, unlike the fleeting happiness the world offers. When we face trials and hardships in life, we can rest in His peace, trusting in His promise.
Growing in the Storms of Life
Persevering through temptations, trials, and hardships, we will find that our faith will grow and our relationship with Christ will deepen.
The Apostle Paul reminds us of this truth when he wrote, “We know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us” (Romans 5:3-5).
God can use hardships in our lives for His glory.
Jesus was not concerned about the storm, but He was disappointed in the disciples’ lack of faith (Matthew 8:26; Mark 4:40; Luke 8:25). Instead of trusting Him, they allowed their fear to overwhelm them.
Like the disciples, we often display weak faith in times of trouble because we allow other emotions, such as fear, to become our preoccupation. Instead of focusing on the Lord, our gaze is locked on the challenges we are facing.
Just as Jesus offers us peace in times of trouble, He also invites us into a deeper level of faith. During challenging times, we can choose to trust God even if we are afraid, uncertain, or angry.
We can bravely trust God instead of giving in to fear or doubt, echoing the words of the psalmist, “We will not fear, though the earth give way and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea” (Psalm 46:2).
We are not taking a blind leap of faith when we choose to trust God in the “storms” of life. Our faith is not blind since we trust in a Person, Jesus Christ, who “is the same yesterday and today and forever” (Hebrews 13:8).
Keeping our eyes on Christ’s character can help us persevere in times of trouble. He has allowed these “storms” to happen for a reason according to His wisdom.
If everything works together for the good of those who love Him, then we can trust that God will use any situation, including painful ones, for His good (Romans 8:28).
Although we might want to complain to the Lord, as the disciples did, we should exercise faith in Christ’s goodness and love. He is just and true, so let us have faith in Him.
Trusting in God’s Perfect Will in the Storm
As the almighty God-man, Jesus is more than able to calm our storms in life. Just because He can keep painful trials from happening in our lives does not mean He will or should. Sometimes, we will not understand God’s will. His ways are higher than our own (Isaiah 55:8-9).
Often, Christ will allow difficult “storms” into our lives to help us grow in faith. Persevering during these times with our eyes fixed on Jesus is the wisest option as we trust in His perfect will.
For further reading:
What Is the Significance of Jesus Calming the Storm?
Why Does Jesus Rebuke His Terrified Disciples in the Storm?
What Did Jesus Mean That We Will Have Trouble in This World?
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