“Other little boats were also with Him” (Mark 4:36)

The frightened people in the boats witnessed a miracle. “A great windstorm arose, and the waves beat into the boat … He arose and rebuked the wind, and said to the sea, ‘Peace, be still!’ And the wind ceased and there was a great calm. But He said to them, “Why are you so fearful? How is it that you have no faith?” (Mark 4:37–40).

Yes, they witnessed a miracle, but the big lesson for the disciples was they needed to trust in the Lordship of Christ. If we sail with Christ, we shouldn’t expect smooth sailing. “Beloved, do not think it strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened to you … if anyone suffers as a Christian, let him not be ashamed, but let him glorify God in this matter” (1 Peter 4:12–16).

Faith doesn’t end when things don’t turn out the way you want or expect. When bad things happen, “by your patience possess your souls” (Luke 21:19). The Greek word translated patience is a compound word that means “stay under”. For Christians, the Scripture means,  “By your staying under the Lordship of Christ, you preserve your souls”. When a storm is raging, don’t listen to your flesh or your Old Man … stay in the boat with Christ and ask for wisdom.

“The testing of your faith produces patience. But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing. If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God … But let him ask in faith” (James 1:2–6).

Think back to the many times you listened to your flesh and your Old Man, and failed.  Next time a storm comes, trust that “all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose” (Romans 8:28), and ask for wisdom. If you have faith, you’ll expect God to give you a way of dealing with the storm with integrity. If you don’t have faith, you won’t stay submitted to the Lordship of Christ, and you’ll remain a baby, or worse.