There is a likable story that comes from a naval academy in England. On a particular day a top officer in the British navy visited the depot and began barking questions at the students to determine their preparedness for the rigors of commanding a ship at sea. Cornering one student the Admiral asked, “What would you do if a storm blew up?” The student snapped back, “Lower the anchor, sir!” The Admiral retorted, “What would you do if the anchor broke away and another storm blew up?” Without skipping a beat the student replied, “Lower another anchor, sir!” Pressing his case the Admiral asked, “What would you do if that anchor broke away and a third storm blew up!” Sticking to his guns the student answered, “Lower another anchor, sir!” More than a little frustrated the commanding officer snorted, “And where are you getting all these anchors?” The student replied, “Same place that you are getting all the storms from, sir!”
Those storms may have been imagined, but the point being made by the Admiral was very real. Every British naval officer needs to know how to navigate his way through a heaving sea. And what is true of life in the navy is true of life itself! We all need to know how to deal with sudden storms and squalls that blow up in our face. Storms such as death, illness, demonic attacks, besetting sins, loss of income, divorce, crime, church conflict, and perhaps a suffocating sense of defeat. Interestingly, saints of old have likened their trials and troubles to sudden storms (Psa. 18:16; 69:1-3; 144:7).
To help us chart a path through life’s storms let’s briefly examine several principles that emerge out of the story of Jesus calming the storm (Mark 4:35-41). First, peace is found in knowing that even in the midst of a storm God intends for you to be there. One of the striking features about this story is that they undertook this journey at Christ’s command (Mark 4:35). They were not out of the will of God, but following it. There was a divine intentionality in this storm encounter. Jesus willed it; He purposed it and He had purposes in it. Second, peace is found in fighting the temptation to doubt God’s love in the face of God’s apparent disinterest or distance. The disciples wrongly questioned Christ’s care of them (Mark 4:38-40). Jesus’ sleep was intended to awaken in them a greater trust, but they failed because of fear. Third, peace is found in focusing on the glory and power of Christ (Mark 4:41). Their fear of the storm was replaced by a greater fear of the One who had calmed the storm. There stood in their midst the creator of all living things. Peace doesn’t come from finding calmer waters, but from having Jesus in the boat.
Remember, what Jesus did physically in stilling the wind and the waves He can do emotionally and spiritually. Jesus can bring peace to the troubled mind, and quiet to the restless soul (Isa. 26:3). His miracles are meant to point to a greater spiritual reality (Mark 2:9-12). They move from the lesser to the greater, from the physical to the spiritual. So in the storms of life the believer finds an anchor in the inexplicable peace that comes through trusting Christ (John 14:27; Phil. 4:6-7).
With Christ in the vessel you can smile at the storm!