Peace in the Storm

On Sunday, I preached from Mark 4:35–41, the story of Jesus calming the storm. If you’ve ever sat through a Midwest thunderstorm with the windows rattling and the power flickering, you get a taste of what those disciples felt. But today, I want to talk not just about that storm—but about the storms we go through in life. And how we too often put our faith in the wrong things to save us.

Jesus says, “Let’s go to the other side.” And the disciples follow. They’re in the boat with Jesus when the storm hits, which means they’re in the middle of chaos even while being obedient. That should tell us something right off the bat: just because you’re following Jesus doesn’t mean you’re immune from the storms of life. In fact, sometimes it’s Jesus who leads us into the thick of it.

The chaos comes fast, just like it does for us—illness, loss, financial ruin, family drama, political upheaval. The boat is being swamped, and Jesus is asleep. The disciples panic. And isn’t that how we feel when it seems like God isn’t responding to our crisis? When we scream, “Don’t you care?” Jesus wakes up and speaks peace. But here’s the thing: His peace doesn’t come from fixing the problem—it comes from being present in it.

What We Reach for When We’re Drowning

Here’s where I need to be honest. When the storms of life hit, many of us instinctively reach for something—anything—that feels secure. Sometimes it’s our bank account. Sometimes it’s our routines, our comfort zones, or the way things used to be. Other times, it’s our leaders, political systems, or the latest headlines that we cling to, hoping someone else can fix what feels broken.

It’s human to want something solid to hold onto. But the danger comes when we start putting our ultimate trust in things that were never meant to hold that kind of weight. When we start acting like the solution to our anxiety is a return to the good old days, or the right person in charge, or just enough money in the account—we’ve lost sight of the One who actually calms the storm.

I’m not saying those things don’t matter. Government has a role. Finances are necessary. Traditions can be good. But none of them can speak to the wind and waves and make them obey. Only Jesus can do that.

But trusting Jesus means we stop trying to control every outcome. It means we stop looking for comfort in the storm and start looking for Christ in the storm. It means we ask not, “How do I make this storm go away?” but, “What is Jesus teaching me in this moment?”

When We’re the Cause of the Storm

And while we’re being honest—sometimes the storm is our own doing.

Maybe it was our greed. Our unwillingness to forgive. Our neglect of justice. Our silence when we should have spoken up. Our decisions have consequences. So do the decisions of others. Some of us are navigating storms caused by broken systems—racism, economic inequality, addiction, political corruption—and we’ve either ignored the warning signs or helped build the boat that’s now taking on water.

But Jesus still gets in the boat with us.

That’s the good news. Jesus doesn’t wait for the sky to clear before He joins us. He enters our mess, sits beside us in our fear, and says, “Peace.” Not because the chaos has stopped, but because His presence makes all the difference.

Remember Who’s in Control

The disciples asked, “Who then is this, that even the wind and the sea obey him?” That’s the question we have to ask ourselves. Who is this Jesus we claim to follow?

Because if He really is Lord of all—then He deserves more of our trust than our party, our paycheck, or our favorite political commentator. If He really is the one who speaks and nature responds—then why are we so afraid all the time?

If Sunday was about peace in the storm, then Monday through Saturday is about learning how to live in that peace. Not waiting for everything to get better, but walking in the calm assurance that Jesus is already in the boat.

So here’s the challenge:

• Next time the storm hits—before you check your 401(k) or repost a political meme—pray.
• When the noise is loud and the fear is strong—open your Bible instead of your favorite news app.
• Ask yourself: Is my peace dependent on Jesus or on circumstances I can’t control?

Because Jesus never promised the storm would go away. He promised He would be with us in it.

And that’s enough.

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Closing Prayer:

Lord Jesus, you are our peace in the middle of chaos. Forgive us for the ways we look to the world for security. Forgive us for the idols we’ve created—out of wealth, power, and comfort. Teach us to trust your presence more than we fear the storm. Remind us that you are already in the boat. And give us courage to follow you, even when the skies are dark and the waves are high. Amen.