Walking Through the ValleysSample

In Mark 4, we are told about a storm. Jesus essentially informed the disciples, “We are going to cross the lake to the other side.” The disciples didn’t question Jesus. They simply obeyed, got in the boat, and started to make their way. The timing and way that Mark recounts the story makes me think that God doesn’t cause storms. Instead, He knows they are ahead. As the disciples and Jesus crossed the lake, a ferocious storm erupted out of nowhere.

Here is how Scripture describes it:

But soon a fierce storm came up. High waves were breaking into the boat, and it began to fill with water. Jesus was sleeping at the back of the boat with His head on a cushion. The disciples woke Him up, shouting, “Teacher, don’t You care that we’re going to drown?”

Mark 4:37-38 (NLT)

“Don’t you care?”

I resonate with that. In our storms, when the boat is taking on water and the waves keep crashing, don’t we tend to ask that exact thing? “Don’t you care?” We bail water, yet the boat fills higher. Anger rises. Bitterness takes hold. It feels like we are drowning in worry and fear. In the end, what is left is the same as the disciples’ sentiment, “God, are You there? Do You actually care? Can You grab a bucket and help me?” Each time I read this, I wonder how Jesus could be sleeping! I mean, is He that tired? Could it be that He isn’t aware of what’s happening? Or is He at peace, seeing the wind and waves as not worth the worry? When Jesus woke up, He rebuked the wind and said to the waves, “Silence! Be still!” Suddenly the wind stopped, and there was a great calm. Then He asked them, “Why are you afraid? Do you still have no faith?”

Mark 4:39-40 (NLT)

I can imagine the shock on the disciples’ faces as Jesus spoke. As career fishermen, they were used to storms. But, in their minds, this one warranted their panic. They were in a state of genuine fear for their lives. Jesus woke up absent of panic. He was not fearful. Instead, He had complete control. He peacefully looked at the situation and spoke boldly to the wind and waves. How often I wish Jesus would speak into my situation and it would instantly go away. But maybe God is less concerned about instantly transporting us out of the crisis or valley, and more focused on who we become as we walk through it. Can you imagine what it would have been like on that boat? What did it feel like to have the very footing beneath you tossed from side- to-side to then see Jesus speak to the wind and for the sea to go calm? In the silence of the disciples’ shock, Jesus’ voice speaks once more over the complete stillness of the water. Jesus looks at His followers and asks, “Why are you afraid? Do you still have no faith?” I don’t see His questions as a chiding or even a remark of shame. Instead, I believe Jesus brought a laser focus to the two things which were rooted in their hearts and kept them from trusting Him. Though we are not standing on the bow of a boat in the recently stilled sea of Galilee, I believe He would ask us the same two questions. In the valley, what causes us to be afraid, and why are we not putting our faith and trust in God?

In The Valley Growth Questions

1. Write down what God is teaching you right now.
2. Schedule coffee with a friend and share what God is doing in each of your lives.

Spend some time right now in prayer. Set a timer for 5 minutes to just rest in Him. During that time, reflect on what God is currently teaching you.