In Mark chapter 4 there is a great windstorm. Personally, I hate storms, ask anyone who’s been near me when one happens, I tense up and want to just get away from it, they terrify me. And it terrified the disciples too. They proceed to wake Jesus up who calmed the storm. He asks them after “Why are you so afraid? Have you still no faith?”.
If we look at our own lives, we also have storms. Most of them won’t be actual storms that can shake a house or uproot a tree, but things in our own lives that cause worry and doubt. They will differ from person to person and even day to day. I’m also sure some of my storms would look like little spouts of rain compared to the hurricanes others face. But look at what Jesus said, “Why are you so afraid?”. I can’t pretend to know what everyone who reads this is going through. But ask yourself - why are you so afraid? Is what you’re afraid of that important in the grand scheme? Take a step back and look at it.
And the second thing Jesus asks them, “Have you still no faith?”. Have you no faith that you can prevail? Have you no faith that there is one greater than us who cares for each one of us personally, one who loves each of us? Have you no faith there is a Kingdom coming that will put an end to every storm you face? You can prevail. Have faith in that, and have faith there is and always will be one stronger than you that you can always trust to be there.
As you go through your day reflect on your own storms and ask yourself “Why are you so afraid? Have you still no faith?”
©Philip Kirkpatrick, 2023