Last week I talked about introspection. Today I want to touch on all the struggles so many people face these days and how to still find peace.

People everywhere are dealing with everyday annoyances or full-on life altering tragedies. The person dealing with unfair treatment at work. A young mother recently diagnosed with brain cancer. An elderly couple waiting to buy groceries because their Social Security check is later this month. The people struggling to pay for basic healthcare. The list goes on.

Sometimes God calms the storm…

He excises the malignant cancer. Transfers the cranky boss. Replenishes the diminishing funds. The breath of heaven blows, the clouds scatter, and the winter sky turns springtime blue.

Other times, He calms the child…

Rather than quiet the tempest, He stills the sailor. Rather than remove the disease, He removes the fear. Rather than lift the debt, He lifts the doubt. The storm still rages. The wind still howls. But the child no longer frets – he trusts. He may even sleep.

The Calming

The story of how Jesus calms the storm is a popular one in the Bible, but it is also often misinterpreted to mean that Jesus will always calm our storms if we are living right. The truth is that this world is full of storms.

There is a saying that you are either in a storm, coming out of a storm, or about to go into a storm. It is part of life in a broken world, but a closer look at the scripture and its context points to a more powerful lesson about the presence of Jesus in the storm that He was trying to teach His disciples.

“He got into a boat and his disciples followed him. Suddenly a violent storm came up on the sea, so that the boat was being swamped by waves; but He was asleep. They came and woke him, saying, ‘Lord, save us! We are perishing!’ He said to them, ‘Why are you terrified, O you of little faith?’ Then he got up, rebuked the winds and the sea, and there was great calm. The men were amazed and said, ‘What sort of man is this, whom even the winds and the sea obey?’” Matthew 8:23-27.

What do you find more amazing? That Jesus calmed the storm – or that He slept through it?

Exactly how does one sleep through a storm? The boat bounced like a ping-pong ball. Waves crashed over the deck. Thunder boomed. The disciples screamed. And Jesus snored. The boat became His bassinet.

Could you use that kind of peace? If so, you’re not alone.

Finding Peace

Sadly, today anxiety is now standard fare. Recent studies show 43% of U.S. adults feel more anxious than they did just a year ago. It’s not hard to see why.

We feel ambushed – hurricanes strike, wildfires rage, politicians wage war amongst themselves, and AI threatens everything from jobs to our sanity. In our whirlpool of worries, we sleep less, argue more, digest poorly, and ache everywhere.

No storm ever hit harder than the one that raged through Gethsemane’s Garden. And no prayer was ever prayed with more passion than the one Jesus prayed on the eve of His death: “Father take this cup away from me.”

But, for the first time in all of eternity, the Father was silent.

God calmed storms for Moses. He had protected Daniel. He would deliver Paul and Silas. Surely, He could do the same for His own Son. Of course He could. But He chose not to.

God didn’t calm the storm. But He calmed His Son. And Jesus walked to Calvary in peace. A heaven-sent, illogical, stare-death-in-the-face-with-a-smile kind of peace. Why? Because Jesus trusted His Father!

As should we!

You too can find this peace. I pray God calms your storm. If not the storm, I pray He will calm you. Then may you find that: “…the peace of God that surpasses all understanding will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:7.

Closing Thoughts

It’s hard to find peace of mind because most of us were not taught how to obtain peace of mind. Peace is experienced when we understand that Christ alone can bring lasting peace – peace with God, peace among men and nations, and peace within our hearts. He transcends the political and social boundaries of our world.

I have found that embracing God’s peace means actively choosing to focus on God amidst life’s challenges, allowing His tranquility to guard my heart and mind through prayer and unwavering trust in His love and presence. It’s an ongoing journey that can bring lasting comfort and a calm that surpasses worldly understanding, even in chaotic times.

“Peace Be Still” by Hope Darst is a go-to song for me when I need to rekindle peace within. I’d encourage you to take a moment and not just hear, but feel the words. Simply click either the song’s title at the beginning of this paragraph or the image directly above. I can’t help but feel more grounded and at peace while listening to the words!

Thanks for reading this week’s ponderings. Remember, if you have any suggestions or questions please don’t hesitate to “Message Me“. Check back next week for more reflections! Click “Follow Me” to stay in touch. I hope you have a wonderful week!