05. The Story for Fear
The Power of Stories — Series
Story: Jesus Calms the Storm (Mark 4:35–41)
Fear is one of the few experiences every person shares.
It doesn't matter where we live, how much money we have, or how strong our faith seems.
Sooner or later, every one of us finds ourselves in a storm.
Sometimes the storm is physical — a frightening medical diagnosis, an accident, a natural disaster.
Sometimes the storm is emotional — anxiety, depression, loneliness.
Sometimes it is financial — a lost job, unexpected bills, a business that suddenly struggles.
Sometimes it is the grief of losing someone we love or watching life unfold in ways we never expected.
The details are different.
The fear feels the same.
That is why the story of Jesus calming the storm has comforted believers for nearly two thousand years.
After a long day of teaching, Jesus told His disciples,
"Let's go over to the other side of the lake."
They obeyed.
It is important to notice something.
The storm did not come because they were outside God's will.
The storm came while they were obeying Jesus.
Many people assume that following Christ should remove life's difficulties.
This story teaches the opposite.
Faith does not eliminate storms.
It changes how we walk through them.
As they crossed the Sea of Galilee, a violent windstorm suddenly arose. Waves crashed into the boat until it began filling with water.
Several of the disciples were experienced fishermen.
They had seen storms before.
Yet this one was different.
They believed they were going to die.
Meanwhile, Jesus was asleep.
To the disciples, His silence felt confusing.
To many believers today, God's silence can feel the same way.
"Where are You?"
"Don't You see what is happening?"
"Don't You care?"
Finally they woke Him and cried,
"Teacher, don't you care that we are dying?"
That question has echoed through history.
People ask it in hospital rooms.
Parents ask it while praying for children.
Missionaries ask it when ministry becomes difficult.
Disciple-makers ask it when years of labor seem fruitless.
Followers of Jesus have always wrestled with that question.
Jesus stood.
He spoke only a few words.
"Peace! Be still!"
Immediately the wind stopped.
The sea became completely calm.
The One who created the wind simply spoke to it.
The One who formed the seas commanded them to rest.
Then Jesus turned His attention away from the storm and toward His disciples.
"Why are you so afraid? Have you still no faith?"
Notice what Jesus did not ask.
He did not ask why the storm came.
He did not explain why they suffered.
Instead, He asked about their trust.
The greatest lesson was never the weather.
It was the identity of the One in the boat.
The disciples were amazed and asked one another,
"Who then is this, that even the wind and the sea obey him?"
That is the question every listener must answer.
The story is not primarily about storms.
It is about Jesus.
Storms reveal what we believe about Him.
Sometimes Jesus calms the storm immediately.
Sometimes He allows the storm to continue.
But He never abandons His people.
His presence is greater than our panic.
His authority is greater than our circumstances.
His peace is greater than our fear.
This is why every disciple should carry this story.
When someone is overwhelmed by anxiety, don't simply tell them not to worry.
Tell them about Jesus in the boat.
When someone receives devastating medical news, tell them about Jesus in the boat.
When someone loses their job, tell them about Jesus in the boat.
When someone grieves the loss of a loved one, tell them about Jesus in the boat.
When someone wonders if God has forgotten them, tell them about Jesus in the boat.
People may not remember a long explanation about fear.
But they will remember frightened disciples, crashing waves, a sleeping Savior, one command to the wind, and a calm sea.
More importantly, they will remember that the safest place in the world is not where there are no storms.
The safest place is wherever Jesus is.
Carry This Story When…
- Someone is struggling with anxiety or fear.
- Someone has received a difficult medical diagnosis.
- Someone is facing financial uncertainty.
- Someone has experienced unexpected loss.
- Someone feels abandoned by God.
- Someone is overwhelmed by circumstances beyond their control.
- Someone needs to discover that Jesus is greater than the storm they are facing.
The question isn't whether storms will come. The question is: Who is in your boat?
Want to go deeper in disciple-making? Join Terry's Zúme training class at zume.training/join-a-training.