God Help Me! I'm About To Drown!

“Then He (Jesus) got into the boat and His disciples followed Him. Suddenly, a furious storm came up on the lake, so that the waves swept over the boat. But Jesus was sleeping. The disciples went and woke Him saying, ‘Lord, save us! We’re going to drown!’ He replied, ‘You of little faith, why are you so afraid?’ Then He rebuked the winds and the waves, and it was perfectly calm.”      
                                                                                                                                           Matthew 8:23-26

                What do we do in those most fragile moments of the journey when suddenly our mind and/or body seem to be on the verge of being taken over by the storm swells of life? One moment there is a calm and tranquil peace within our spirit, then suddenly we’re overtaken with unsteady anxiety, weariness, and often a ferocious fear of spiraling downward into the depths of darkness. It’s a feeling of dreadfulness in which you truly believe you’re going to drown in what seem the unnerving realities of the moment. I’ve also attempted to describe these moments to someone as if you were on a “Free-fall” ride in an amusement park, waiting at the top for the safety latch to release, sending you plummeting down at break-neck speed, hoping that the breaks will stop you before you completely hit bottom.

                The disciples found themselves in what appeared to them a horrifying circumstance in the middle of the sea with a mighty storm bearing down on them, waves overtaking them, and the fear of literally drowning. Such circumstances would produce anxiety and fear in the hearts of any of us. Yet, these were experienced fishermen, well aware of the possible dangers of the sea, who had probably been through many storms and high seas similar to what faced them on that very night. However, even with all their collective years of experience on the sea, they were scared to death even knowing all the while Jesus was with them, sleeping soundly in the front of the boat.
​

        In their moments of great despair, the disciples cried out to Him pleading with Jesus to save them. Knowing this was a test of their faith, He awoke and asked, “Why are you afraid?”, then proceeded with a spoken word perfectly calming the sea. The disciples had lost sight of who was in the boat with them, much like them we so often forget the reality of Jesus as our constant companion in the raging storms of life. The spiritual realities of the disciples were violently shaken by the storm before them, causing their sense of fear to strengthen and the faith in the One who was with them to fade. We, much like the disciples, forget that God is with us especially in our weakest moments when we feel like we’re going to drown. Call out to Him, rest in Him, because He will be faithful to calm the storm.

Connecting Faith & Life:
​
                Father, when my mind and body are weak, when the ‘storms of life’ are bearing down, please bring Your peace through the power of Your spirit and the truth of Your word. You are the One who is always in control and able to calm the storm within me. Remind me of Your constant presence in all circumstances of my life, along with the reality that I am never completely out of the reach of Your mighty hand of protection. In Jesus’ name. Amen.