Perhaps you have been battered by the waves and winds of adversity. What do you do when the winds are contrary and it seems your boat is about to sink. How do you handle stress? Consider another situation where the disciples faced peril at sea. When the waves and winds were contrary and they were being battered and swamped. Life is like that. But we can learn from Jesus how to have peace in the middle of the storm when the winds in your life are contrary and scary. In Mark 4:35-41 we have an account where Jesus invites his disciples to cross over with him to the other side of the lake. It was evening and their journey began through the darkness into a storm at sea. What can we learn about facing winds that are contrary?

First – FORWARD MOTION is necessary for advancement. Jesus said, “Let’s cross over to the other side of the lake” (Mark 4:35). Some people never cross over to new depths, adventures, or experiences because of fear. Life has certain risks. Advancement and growth requires risk. We have no guarantee of tomorrow. Someday we must cross over the river of death. Are you prepared?

Second – FORSAKE THE CROWDS. The disciples and some smaller boats were willing to forsake the crowds and go with Jesus. Some were satisfied with where they were. (Matthew 10:37-38.) Some are satisfied with the status quo. God values our free-will. We must make the choice to go or stay. (Joshua 24:15.)

Third – FELLOWSHIP INSPIRES FORTITUDE. What was it that inspired the disciples and those in the other little boats to go with Jesus? They had spent time with Jesus and couldn’t get enough of Him. (Revelation 3:20.) They had spent time with other believers and that gave them a sense of connectedness and community with Christ and other followers. (Acts 2:42 and I John 1:3.)

Fourth – FULL REST. When a gale arose and the boat was swamped, where was Jesus? He was in the stern, sound asleep on a pillow. (Mark 4:37-38.) Jesus so trusted His Heavenly Father that He had full rest, no matter what was going on around Him. Jesus said that there is a place of complete rest in Him. “Come unto me all you who labor and are heavy laden and I will give you rest” (Matthew 11:28-29). The writer of Hebrews talks about that rest. (Hebrews 4:1-11.) After straining at the oars the disciples finally went to Jesus – the Prince of Peace – in Him there is a place of full rest.

Fifth – FEAR NOT! They cried out to Jesus, “’Do you not care that we are perishing?’ ‘How can you sleep at a time like this?’” Fear and doubt destroys faith.

Sixth – FAITH BRINGS PEACE. “How is it that you have no faith? (Mark 4:40.) Faith in God is essential. (Hebrews 11:6.) When going through cancer treatments, the effects of chemotherapy temporarily affected my eyesight. By using a magnifying glass, the tiny print showed up crisp and clear in the center, but around the edges it grew distorted. Likewise, Jesus must become the focal point of our faith and we must learn to keep the magnifying glass of faith focused on Him. When we magnify Jesus through praise, thanksgiving, prayer, and scriptural meditation, our problems grow smaller in the light of His face. David experienced this. (Psalm 34.)

When we take our eyes off the storm and put them on Jesus we can have peace. “He arose and rebuked the wind and said to the sea, ‘Peace, be still!’ And the wind ceased and there was a great calm” (Mark 4:39).

Seventh – FRIENDSHIP with God engenders love and faith. Abraham, a great man of faith was called a friend of God. To know God in this manner fills one with love for God. “There is no fear in love, but perfect love casts out fear” (I John 4:18). Many people know God only as the Almighty judge. Jesus came to reveal a new intimate side to God, a relationship so personal that Jesus uses the word “Abba” or “Daddy” in addressing Him. God desires that relationship with you. (Romans 8:15 and Galatians 4:6.) You can know Jesus as your best friend. (Read John 15:13-15.) the One who stills the wind and the waves will walk with you.

An old hymn of the church “What A Friend We Have in Jesus’ reminds us of – “What a friend we have in Jesus, all our sins and griefs to bear! . . . Oh, what peace we often forfeit, Oh, what needless pain we bear all because we do not carry everything to God in prayer!” Perhaps you need to dig that hymn out and sing it again in faith and worship.

Put your faith in the One who stills the storm. Put your faith in the Savior who died for the sins of the world and arose victoriously from the dead. “For by grace are you saved through faith and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works” (Ephesians 2:8-9).