Radical Wisdom: A 7-Day Journey for LeadersSample

Are You Calm in the Storm?

Jesus is the perfect role model when it comes to remaining calm in the storm.

In Gethsemane (Luke 22:47-53), Jesus is identified to His killers by one of His own with a kiss! Talk about irony. His followers rally to defend Him, and He calmly holds them back and performs a miracle, healing the severed ear of a soldier.

Then there’s the time in the boat during a storm (Mark 4:36-40). Jesus is sleeping in the back while an intense storm is raging . . . a storm so intense His disciples—experienced sailors—fear for their lives. They wake Him up and He stills the storm with a word.

And the ultimate calm. Jesus is hanging on the cross (Matthew 27:34-44) in excruciating pain when one of His executioners dares Him to come down . . . to save Himself . . . even mocks Him. Jesus had raised people from the dead. It would have been short work for Him to drop those soldiers dead and set Himself free. The holes in His hands and feet would have healed just like the soldier’s ear the night before. Yet Jesus utters not a word.

So, what can we learn from Jesus?

Jesus knew that the outcome . . . the end result . . . would be all right.

And Jesus knew God was with Him and He was not alone.

Knowing He loves us so much, knowing the outcome is going to be all right and the situation is under His control, gives us the confidence we need to be calm in the midst of the storm.

Question: What habits have you developed to help you keep calm in the storm? If you don’t have any, take some time, talk to some people, and make sure you have a strategy and a team of people to help you through. Talk to each one, telling them how you plan to weather the storm and what you want from them when it comes.