Take sometimes to meditate on today’s scripture and this devotional with me. Let’s fill our minds with the truth of God, and recenter our focus on peace, and strength as we find guidance in God.
“And he awoke and rebuked the wind and said to the sea, ‘Peace! Be still!’ And the wind ceased, and there was a great calm.”
We all face storms:
Sometimes they come suddenly, sometimes they linger longer than we ever thought possible. I may not know the storm you’re going through right now. It could be financial troubles, the heartache of a broken relationship, loss, the death of a loved one, children rebellion, unmet needs, high demands at work or in your ministry, betrayal, addiction, or a struggle with your mental health. Perhaps you have been battling years with a medical diagnosis or chronic condition, or maybe your storm is one hidden deep inside—a matter of the soul a life weighed down by guilt, the burden of lies, or the pain of living a double life.
Whatever form it takes, it could feel overwhelming at times, like a relentless wave battering the sides of our heart and taking the wind out of you.
I know my storm. And this morning at 4:30 when I read this verse, it took all of me to understand that Jesus was reminding me that He is still in control. I can be honest with you now, because I am honest with Him about my pain, my fear, and my doubts. This I realized that while I’ve been crying out for the storm to end, Jesus wants me to remember that He is right there in the boat with me. He is above every wave, every gust, every dark cloud that feels so overpowering.
As humans we want the light when we are in the darkness and the darkness when the sun shines too bright, there is a high need for control, but even there The Lord Provides a Pillar
Back to when I read Mark4:39 this morning; I took a minute to fill my boat (my heart) with the truth, in that moment, I shifted my prayer from, “Lord, take away the storm,” to “Lord, thank You that You are above the storm.” He isn’t just aware of my struggle; He’s sovereign over it. My peace came not because the storm stopped but because I remembered who was with me in it. When Jesus is in the boat, there is a calm that is deeper than any external situation.
As I sat with this truth, I found myself praying for others. Suddenly, the storm raging in my heart stilled. The external circumstances have not changed, and they will probably not change any time soon, but my internal landscape did. I felt peace—deep, abiding peace that reminds me that I don’t have to be in control because He already is. Isn’t it a lot easier for someone else to be in control when the boat is heavy and the waves are raging out of control?
The waves are the circumstances in the situation: I’ll be explain
Imagine you’re in a small boat on the ocean. When the sea is calm, it’s easy to stay balanced, enjoy the view, and feel steady. But when a storm suddenly rolls in, waves crash against the boat, pushing it in every direction. I pray you’re getting this, navigating in the ocean is the situation you’re in, situations are not always bad, the waves are the circumstances that are taking place. And a circumstance or circumstances are usually temporary in nature. Like a process.
Okay, now each wave feels like a new threat, something to survive and navigate. These waves are like the circumstances in our lives—the unexpected challenges, the conflicts, the fears, and the doubts that keep hitting us one after another.
Just like the waves, these circumstances can make us feel powerless, tossed around, and overwhelmed. We start to focus on the storm itself, watching every wave that threatens to knock us off course, and fear can easily take over. But if we remember that Jesus is in the boat with us, we realize that the waves, as powerful as they seem, don’t have ultimate control. Just as He commanded the wind and the waves to “Peace, be still,” He has the authority to calm our hearts in the midst of life’s storms. The waves are real, and they’re daunting, but they’re no match for the One who’s with us in the boat.
So, while the circumstances might keep coming like waves, crashing in different directions, they’re never beyond Jesus’ reach or power. His presence gives us an anchor of peace, allowing us to trust and find calm even while the waves continue to surge around us.
Whatever you’re going through, can I encourage you today to turn your gaze to Jesus? Let His presence fill the boat of your heart. When we surrender control to Him, we acknowledge His power, His goodness, and His unwavering presence in our lives. In that space, He is glorified; we become smaller, and He becomes greater.
The storms may not cease immediately, but I pray that you will find the calm that comes from knowing who is in control. In His hands, your storm—no matter how fierce—bows to His authority. Allow Him to speak “Peace, be still” into your heart today.
If you don’t yet know Jesus, can I invite you to take that step today? He’s waiting, ready to calm your heart and bring you peace. Simply come as you are. If you’re ready, pray with me:
“Jesus, I come before you. I admit that I am a sinner, and I repent of my sins. Please forgive me. I invite you to come into my heart, to lead me to still waters. I want to live a life for you here on earth and with you in eternity. Please write my name in the Book of Life. Amen.”
May you experience the peace that only Jesus can give, no matter the storm. He is with you, and He is in control.
This version keeps the original flow while addressing the weight of hidden struggles and providing a prayer for readers who want to invite Jesus into their lives.
©️2024 Denise Kilby New Hope MHCLC Assoc. All rights reserved.
One response to ““Peace! Be Still.” – Finding Calm in the Midst of the Storm”
This is a great piece. I think it would be interesting to think of how Jesus, who knew everything beforehand, didn’t stop the disciples from sailing off with the boat. He wanted them to experience the storm, because in the storm, they could experience His Sovereignty.
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