Finding Faith and Strength in Life's Storms

Devotional

Day 1: Obedience Doesn't Exempt Us from Opposition

Even when you are faithfully following Jesus, storms can still arise in your life, not as a sign of disobedience but as a result of your obedience. The disciples were exactly where Jesus told them to be—crossing to the other side—yet the storm still came, reminding us that walking in God’s will does not guarantee a storm-free journey. Instead of always asking, “What did I do wrong?” when trouble comes, consider asking, “Lord, what are you about to do next?” Sometimes, the very presence of a storm is evidence that you are making progress and that God is preparing to bless you in a new way. [01:36:26]

Mark 4:35-37 (NRSV)
On that day, when evening had come, he said to them, “Let us go across to the other side.” And leaving the crowd behind, they took him with them in the boat, just as he was. Other boats were with him. A great windstorm arose, and the waves beat into the boat, so that the boat was already being swamped.

Reflection: When you face unexpected challenges while doing what you believe God has called you to do, can you shift your question from “Why is this happening?” to “God, what are you preparing me for?” What might that look like in your current situation?

Day 2: Storms Teach Us the Limits of Our Strength

Storms have a way of humbling even the strongest among us, reminding us that no matter our experience, resources, or abilities, there are situations we simply cannot control or fix on our own. The disciples, many of whom were seasoned fishermen, found themselves overwhelmed by a storm that was beyond their expertise, teaching them—and us—that God sometimes allows storms bigger than us so we remember He is bigger than the storm. When you reach the end of your own strength, you are invited to lean fully on God’s power and provision, knowing that storms may take you beyond your limits but never beyond His reach. [01:42:16]

Mark 4:37-39 (NRSV)
A great windstorm arose, and the waves beat into the boat, so that the boat was already being swamped. But he was in the stern, asleep on the cushion; and they woke him up and said to him, “Teacher, do you not care that we are perishing?” He woke up and rebuked the wind, and said to the sea, “Peace! Be still!” Then the wind ceased, and there was a dead calm.

Reflection: Where in your life are you trying to “row harder” in your own strength? What would it look like to surrender that area to God and trust Him to be your source?

Day 3: The Power of Jesus’ Word in the Storm

In the midst of chaos and fear, Jesus’ response to the storm was not frantic action but a calm command: “Peace, be still.” His Word alone was enough to bring immediate calm to the raging sea, demonstrating that what overwhelms us never overwhelms Him. One word from Jesus can do what all our human effort cannot—He doesn’t negotiate with the storm, He commands it to bow. When you cannot find peace from people or circumstances, you can find it in the promises and authority of Jesus’ Word. [01:46:14]

Mark 4:39 (NRSV)
He woke up and rebuked the wind, and said to the sea, “Peace! Be still!” Then the wind ceased, and there was a dead calm.

Reflection: Is there a situation in your life where you need to stop striving and instead speak or pray the promises of Jesus over it? What specific word from Scripture can you hold onto today?

Day 4: Storms Expose and Develop Our Faith

Storms not only reveal the power of Jesus but also expose the true condition of our faith. The disciples, though they had witnessed Jesus’ miracles, panicked in the storm and doubted His care. Faith is not the absence of fear, but knowing where to turn when fear comes. Jesus uses storms to challenge and grow our faith, not abandoning us when we falter but inviting us to deeper trust. Every storm is a faith school: you may enter doubting, but you can come out believing, with a testimony of God’s faithfulness. [01:50:58]

Mark 4:40-41 (NRSV)
He said to them, “Why are you afraid? Have you still no faith?” And they were filled with great awe and said to one another, “Who then is this, that even the wind and the sea obey him?”

Reflection: Think of a recent storm or challenge—how did it reveal the depth (or shallowness) of your faith? What is one step you can take today to turn your fear into trust in Jesus?

Day 5: Storms Reveal Who Jesus Really Is

The greatest lesson of the storm is not just about our weakness, but about Jesus’ greatness. The disciples had known Jesus as teacher and healer, but in the storm, they encountered Him as Lord of creation—the One whom even the wind and sea obey. Storms stretch our understanding of who Jesus is, moving us from knowing about Him to truly knowing Him as our rock, our shelter, and our Savior. When the waves rise, remember: Jesus is handling your flood, and every storm is an opportunity to see more of His nature and power. [01:52:36]

Mark 4:41 (NRSV)
And they were filled with great awe and said to one another, “Who then is this, that even the wind and the sea obey him?”

Reflection: In what area of your life do you need a fresh revelation of who Jesus is? How can you invite Him to show you more of His power and presence in your current storm?

Sermon Summary

Storms in life come without warning, disrupting our plans and shaking our sense of security. They don’t discriminate—whether you’re strong or weak, rich or poor, faithful or struggling, storms will find you. Yet, these storms are not just destructive; they are also instructive. They teach lessons that calm seasons never could. In the midst of chaos, we are forced to confront our limitations, examine our faith, and cling to God’s promises in ways we never would otherwise. Storms reveal that we are not in control, that our resources and connections can’t always save us, and that sometimes, the only thing left to do is trust in God’s power.

Obedience to God does not exempt us from opposition. In fact, sometimes it invites it. The disciples in Mark 4 were exactly where Jesus told them to be, yet the storm still came. This challenges the notion that trouble is always a sign of disobedience. Instead, storms can be evidence that we are moving forward, that God is about to do something new in our lives. Rather than asking, “What did I do wrong?” we should ask, “God, what are you about to do next?”

Storms also teach us the limits of our own strength. Even seasoned fishermen, like the disciples, found themselves overwhelmed by a storm they couldn’t handle. God allows us to reach the end of our strength so we can discover that His strength has no limits. When we exhaust our resources, we are reminded that He is the true source. No storm can take us beyond His reach.

The power of Jesus’ word is another lesson storms teach. When the disciples woke Jesus, He didn’t panic or grab a bucket—He simply spoke, “Peace, be still,” and the storm ceased immediately. What shakes us does not shake Him. One word from Jesus can calm any chaos, break any chain, and bring peace where there was none.

Finally, storms reveal the true condition of our faith and expand our understanding of who Jesus is. It’s easy to have faith when the waters are calm, but storms test whether our faith is deep or shallow. Even when our faith falters, Jesus does not abandon us; He uses the storm to develop and strengthen us. Through the storm, we come to know Jesus not just as teacher or healer, but as Lord over all creation—the one whom even the wind and waves obey.

Key Takeaways

1. Obedience Does Not Exempt Us from Storms Following God’s direction does not guarantee a storm-free life. Sometimes, being in the center of God’s will is precisely what brings opposition, because the enemy resists forward movement. Instead of seeing storms as punishment, recognize them as signs that God is at work and preparing to bless you in new ways. Ask God what He is about to do next, rather than what you did wrong. [96:06]
2. Storms Reveal the Limits of Our Strength No matter how experienced, resourceful, or strong we are, storms will eventually bring us to the end of ourselves. This humbling experience is not meant to destroy us, but to remind us that God’s strength is made perfect in our weakness. When we have nothing left but God, we discover that He is more than enough and that His reach extends beyond our limits. [101:49]
3. The Power of Jesus’ Word in the Midst of Chaos When the disciples panicked, Jesus simply spoke, “Peace, be still,” and the storm obeyed. His word has authority over every chaos in our lives—He doesn’t negotiate with the storm, He commands it. Trusting in the power of His word brings a peace that surpasses understanding, even when circumstances remain turbulent. [106:14]
4. Storms Expose and Develop Our Faith Storms test whether our faith is rooted deeply or just surface-level. It’s easy to talk about faith when life is calm, but storms reveal what we truly believe and where we turn when afraid. Even if our faith falters, Jesus uses the storm to grow and mature us, turning our doubts into deeper trust. [109:48]
5. Storms Expand Our Revelation of Who Jesus Is Each storm is an opportunity to encounter Jesus in a new way. The disciples knew Him as teacher and healer, but in the storm, they met Him as Lord over creation. Our greatest trials often lead to our greatest revelations of God’s power, goodness, and faithfulness—reminding us that He is always greater than whatever we face. [112:36]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[17:35] - Opening Hymn: Standing on His Promises
[85:48] - Testimonies of Survival
[87:33] - Celebrating the Men’s Choir
[88:14] - Honoring Leadership and Family
[90:08] - Scripture Reading: Mark 4
[91:01] - Lessons from a Storm: Introduction
[93:01] - Storms as Instructors, Not Just Disruptors
[95:42] - Obedience and Opposition
[100:38] - The Limits of Our Strength
[105:04] - The Power of Jesus’ Word
[108:27] - Storms and the Condition of Our Faith
[112:18] - Who Jesus Really Is
[113:34] - God’s Nature Revealed in the Storm
[135:09] - Personal Testimony and Family
[138:23] - Closing Prayer and Benediction

Bible Study Guide

Bible Reading

Mark 4:35-41 (ESV) — 35 On that day, when evening had come, he said to them, “Let us go across to the other side.”
36 And leaving the crowd, they took him with them in the boat, just as he was. And other boats were with him.
37 And a great windstorm arose, and the waves were breaking into the boat, so that the boat was already filling.
38 But he was in the stern, asleep on the cushion. And they woke him and said to him, “Teacher, do you not care that we are perishing?”
39 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.
40 He said to them, “Why are you so afraid? Have you still no faith?”
41 And they were filled with great fear and said to one another, “Who then is this, that even the wind and the sea obey him?”

Observation Questions

According to Mark 4:35-41, where were the disciples when the storm hit, and whose idea was it to cross to the other side?
What was Jesus doing during the storm, and how did the disciples react to his behavior? ([01:45:04])
What did Jesus say to the storm, and what was the result? ([01:46:14])
After Jesus calmed the storm, what questions did he ask the disciples, and how did they respond? ([01:48:27])

Interpretation Questions

The disciples were following Jesus’ direct instructions when the storm hit. What does this suggest about the relationship between obedience and facing difficulties? ([01:36:06])
Why do you think Jesus was able to sleep during the storm while the disciples were panicking? What does this reveal about his nature and their understanding of him? ([01:45:04])
When Jesus asked, “Why are you so afraid? Have you still no faith?” what was he challenging in the disciples? How does fear interact with faith in this story? ([01:49:48])
After witnessing Jesus calm the storm, the disciples asked, “Who then is this, that even the wind and the sea obey him?” How did this experience expand their understanding of who Jesus is? ([01:52:36])

Application Questions

The sermon said, “Obedience doesn’t exempt us from opposition. It at times invites it.” Can you think of a time when you were doing what you believed God wanted, but still faced a storm? How did you respond? ([01:36:06])
The disciples were experienced fishermen, but the storm was bigger than their abilities. Have you ever faced a situation where your skills or resources weren’t enough? How did that experience affect your dependence on God? ([01:41:49])
Jesus calmed the storm with just a word. When you are in chaos, what does it look like for you to trust in the power of Jesus’ word? Are there specific promises from God’s word you cling to in hard times? ([01:46:14])
The sermon said, “Storms test whether our faith is shallow or deep.” How do you usually react when life gets turbulent? What does that reveal about your faith? ([01:49:48])
The disciples’ understanding of Jesus grew because of the storm. Has a difficult season in your life ever changed the way you see God? If so, how? ([01:52:36])
Instead of asking, “What did I do wrong?” the sermon encouraged us to ask, “God, what are you about to do next?” How might this shift in perspective change the way you approach your current challenges? ([01:38:19])
The sermon mentioned that storms can strip us down until we have nothing left but God. Is there an area in your life right now where you feel at the end of your strength? How can your group pray for you or support you in trusting God’s strength in that area? ([01:41:49])

Sermon Clips

And when they finally woke him up, notice what he did. He didn't grab a bucket to throw out water. He. He didn't try to help roll the boat out of the storm. No. All he did was speak. It was three words from Jesus that shifted the entire, entire atmosphere. Jesus says, peace, be still, family. That's the power of His Word. One word from Jesus can do with humored effort. Never could. One word from Jesus can silence chaos. One word can calm in a storm. One word can break chains. One word can heal bodies. It's just one word that can set captives free. [01:45:53] (39 seconds)

Family storms have a way of exposing the true condition of our faith. I know it's easy to talk faith when the waters are calm. It's easy to quote scripture when the sun is shining. But storms would test if your faith is shallow or deep. And here's what storms reveal that it reveals that faith is not. The absence of fear is what you do with fear. Faith does not mean that you never tremble. It means you know where to turn when you do. Faith doesn't mean that you're never shaken. It means that even when you shake, you know who your anchor is. [01:49:19] (40 seconds)

Sometimes the hardest lesson in the storm is realizing that your faith is smaller than you thought. But here's the good news. Anybody ready for the good news? Here's the good news. Jesus doesn't abandon us when our faith falters. He instead uses the storm to. To develop it. Family, every storm is faith school. You may go in doubting, but you can come out believing. You may enter afraid, but you'll exit assured. [01:50:41] (32 seconds)

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