How to Quiet a HurricaneSample

Doesn't God Care?

As soon as the disciples entered the boat with Jesus to cross to the other side of the lake, “a furious squall came up, and the waves broke over the boat, so that it was nearly swamped” (Mark 4:37).

The Sea of Galilee is notorious for violent storms that come out of nowhere, and on this night, things went from bad to worse. The phrase translated “furious squall” literally means “a hurricane whirlwind.” The disciples found themselves in the middle of a hurricane, and it didn’t take long for panic to set in.

Throughout the Bible, a storm frequently serves as a symbol of the trials of life. “In this world you will have trouble” (John 16:33), Jesus said, and sometimes the trouble will arrive out of nowhere and descend upon us like a sudden storm. How do we endure?

I imagine that the first reaction of the disciples was to try to solve the problem themselves. Row harder. Put your back into it. But it didn’t take long before they were exhausted. Confronted by their own weakness, they turned to Jesus. To their surprise, they found their master cuddled up in a corner of the boat, asleep on a cushion. How could Jesus be sleeping? The terrified disciples quickly jumped to the conclusion that Jesus must not care about them or their situation. “Teacher, don’t you care if we drown?” (Mark 4:38).

Their reaction provides a glimpse into our own hearts. When we face circumstances that seem unfair, inexplicable, or beyond our strength, we often question God. How could he let this happen? Doesn’t he care? If he does, then why won’t he do something? Like the disciples, we can quickly conclude that because Jesus doesn’t immediately stop the storms we face, it means he is either not as loving or not as powerful as the Bible claims. But what if this hurricane nap is intended to model for us a different way of life?

Jesus asleep during a hurricane reminds us that God doesn’t always take away the storm, but we can rest in knowing that he will be with us in it.

Lord, some days it feels as if you don’t care that a storm is raging around me. Thank you for this reminder that you are with me in the storm and that you will help me get through this. Amen.