When Life Falls Apart, Jesus Holds You Steady — Even in the Fiercest Storms
My friends,
We’ve all been there. A phone call that changes everything. A devastating diagnosis. A job loss. A betrayal from a friend. These are the moments when life doesn’t just get difficult; it falls apart. The ground beneath our feet feels like it’s shifting, and a fierce storm of anxiety and fear rages around us.
In these moments, where do we turn? The world offers temporary fixes—distractions, empty promises, or self-help books that fall short. But as followers of Christ, we have an anchor for our soul, a promise that is unshakable: Jesus holds us steady, even in the fiercest storms.
This truth is best illustrated in a powerful story from the Gospels. Let’s step into the boat with the disciples and see what it truly means to find peace when the waves are crashing.
I. The Disciples’ Storm: A Real-Life Story of Fear
Imagine the scene: The disciples, seasoned fishermen, were out on the Sea of Galilee. They were used to storms. But this one was different. The waves were so high they were breaking over the boat, filling it with water. They were terrified, convinced they would die.
But in the midst of this chaos, Jesus was sleeping peacefully in the stern.
“Suddenly a furious storm came up on the lake, so that the waves swept over the boat. But Jesus was sleeping.” (Matthew 8:24, KJV)
The disciples’ fear was rational. Their experience told them they were in grave danger. They had tried everything they knew, but they were powerless. This is so much like us. We try to use our own strength, our own intellect, and our own resources to navigate a crisis, but we often find we are completely out of our depth.
The disciples’ first instinct was to wake Jesus and accuse him: “Don’t you care if we drown?” This is a question we’ve all asked in our moments of despair.
II. The Peace of Christ: Not the Absence of Storms, But His Presence in Them
Jesus’s response to their fear is a masterclass in divine peace. He didn’t just calm the storm; He first addressed their faith.
“He replied, ‘You of little faith, why are you so afraid?’ Then he got up and rebuked the winds and the waves, and it was completely calm.” (Matthew 8:26, KJV)
This story reveals a profound truth: The peace of Christ is not the absence of storms, but His powerful presence within them. Jesus didn’t promise a life without storms; He promised to be with us in every single one. Our faith is not in the smooth waters; it’s in the One who can command the winds and the waves.
This is a different kind of peace than the world offers. Worldly peace is based on a tranquil environment. Godly peace is based on the unchangeable character of our Savior. This is the same peace that allows us to find comfort even when we face spiritual battles or face life-altering news.
III. Finding Our Anchor: Three Ways to Stay Steady
So how do we apply this truth when our own lives are falling apart?
- Remember His Authority: When the storm hits, we must remind ourselves who is in the boat with us. The same Jesus who commanded the waves also has authority over our anxiety, our fear, and our circumstances. This is the living hope we have, rooted in the power of Jesus’s resurrection that conquered death itself.
- Pray with Honesty: Like the disciples, we can come to Jesus in our fear. Tell Him you’re afraid. Tell Him you feel lost. He can handle our questions. When we are truly honest with Him, we invite Him to enter our chaos and bring His peace. For those who are in a marriage, you can even use a C.O.V.E.R. prayer strategy to address the storms in your relationship.
- Trust His Character, Not Just His Actions: The disciples were afraid because they were focused on the storm, not on Jesus’s nature. We need to trust not only that Jesus can calm the storm, but that He is good, even when the storm rages on. His plan is always perfect, and His final home is greater than anything we can imagine.
Conclusion and Challenge
Life will have storms. Your boat will feel like it’s sinking. But the promise is this: you are not alone. Jesus is in the boat with you, and He is holding you steady. He is your anchor, your hope, and your peace. He is not surprised by your chaos; He is the calm in the center of it.
What is one storm you are facing right now? How can you consciously choose to focus on Jesus’s presence in your boat this week? Share your thoughts in the comments below. 🙏
