“Why do bad things happen to good people?” What is the saying, if I had a nickel for every time I’ve heard that…. Obviously no one is immune, I don’t know a single person who has not experienced badness or or at least a solitary proverbial “storm” in their lives.
Recently finding myself in the middle of another “storm”, I felt myself struggling. My mind racing, feeling defensive, I felt that I was struggling to pull myself together so that I could focus on the task at hand. As I drove, only partially listening to the kids reflecting on school, the weather was storming around us. I was overwhelmed, alone, without a defense…
I remembered the story of Jesus and his disciples on the boat on Galilee and a previous discussion I’d been a part of that week; I continue to find in my research the support of God’s power over the weather [The Biggest Lie that Christians Tell] and found my extremely tired mind wandering to the fact that Jesus was no stranger to storms. How did Jesus handle the storms? How did the disciples? I considered the thoughts running through my head during my own personal storm, and how they echoed more the disciples’ instead of Jesus. I know I am not alone…I know I can claim Christ’s strength and pray more…I know He is my defense…but WHY? Why this storm? Why did it have to come at all? What good can POSSIBLY come from this? Why did Jesus have to go through a storm, too?
I’ve heard for years theories about that storm (can be read in Matthew 8:23-27, Mark 4:35-41 and Luke 8:22-25). I’ve heard that the Devil sent the storm to try to destroy Jesus. I’ve heard it was a means to convince the disciples of their lack of faith and/or to encourage them. I could go on.
But here’s a thought. Jesus and his disciples went through the storm because they were on the lake in a boat where storms happen. Period. Jesus was truly exhausted, and needing some peace and quiet even from the disciples (anyone else a parent when children constantly ask “why” and want to talk about their own doubts or self-aggrandizement?), he fell asleep. When the storm came up, the disciples, four of which were expert fishermen, tried everything they could do on their own to save themselves and then called to Jesus. [Here’s a thought…what if they all had been asleep like Jesus…I’m certain the outcome wouldn’t have been any different but the Bible also talks about talents and using them to the best of our ability…I wonder if Jesus would have first told them “well, what are you doing sleeping around here, save the ship!”] Jesus said “why were you fearful? God is watching us.” And then told the wind and waves to be quiet, which they did.
The disciples had not tried to calm the weather, because they’d never seen it done. They’d tried to work through the problem in their own wisdom and fear. But whereas they were a little upset that Jesus was sleeping through their storm, they didn’t realize that He just was not afraid. When he calmed the waves and wind, He was telling them that being with Him didn’t mean that the storms wouldn’t come, just that they were not alone. Even if he was sleeping…or one day taken from their presence…He was 1) with them in the storm and 2) not afraid and 3) could save them from it.
We are to remember, when we go through the storms 1) we are not alone, 2) since Jesus is not afraid then we do not need to be afraid and 3) we should still do our best through it but Jesus’ ability to save us from it/get us through it has nothing to do with our own strength and might.
And we learn and recite Scriptures to prove it. Psalm 91. 1 Peter 5:6-9. Psalm 23. I am not alone, Jesus is with me. The storm is happening because I am who I am/I do what I do/I live on a sinful earth and Jesus is not afraid of my storm. And I need to continue to persevere and use the talents I have been given but should trust that God can and will be my defense through it.
