Finding Jesus in the Storms of Life

Life often feels like paddling against a relentless wind—no matter how hard we try, we sometimes find ourselves stuck, making little progress, and wondering if we’ll ever reach the other side. In Matthew 14, the disciples experience this firsthand as Jesus sends them into a storm, not because of disobedience, but precisely because they are following his instructions. This challenges the common assumption that hardship is always a sign of being off course. Sometimes, storms come even when we are exactly where Jesus wants us to be.

The disciples, many of whom were seasoned fishermen, find themselves unable to make headway. Their struggle is not imminent danger, but the frustration of being stuck—an experience that resonates with anyone who has faced persistent health issues, financial pressures, relational conflicts, or spiritual stagnation. Yet, in the darkest hours, when hope seems lost, Jesus approaches, walking on the very waves that threaten them. He doesn’t calm the storm first; instead, he uses the chaos as his path to reach his friends. This is a profound reminder that what we dread most may become the very avenue through which Christ draws near.

When Jesus arrives, he declares, “It is I”—literally, “I am,” echoing the divine name of God. He reveals himself not just as a teacher or miracle worker, but as the Lord over creation, the one who treads on the chaos and brings peace. Peter’s attempt to walk on water is not held up as a model of faith to emulate, but as a cautionary tale about the tension between what our senses tell us and what Jesus invites us to believe. Doubt, in this context, is not faithlessness but the human struggle of wavering between two realities.

The heart of the story is not about mustering up enough faith to “get out of the boat,” but about recognizing the extraordinary grace of Jesus, who meets us in our fear, our doubts, and our failures. When we cry out, “Lord, save me,” he is always ready to reach out and hold us fast. The presence of Jesus transforms not only the storm, but everything that follows. The invitation is to look for him in the very places we dread, to trust that he is with us, and to let his presence redefine our understanding of victory and peace.

Key Takeaways

• 1. Sometimes Jesus himself leads us into storms, not as punishment or correction, but as part of his purpose for our growth. The disciples were not off course; they were exactly where Jesus told them to be, yet still faced overwhelming difficulty. This challenges the idea that hardship is always a sign of disobedience and invites us to trust God’s sovereignty even when life feels stuck or unproductive. [08:12]
• 2. The very things we dread—the waves, the chaos, the setbacks—often become the path Jesus uses to reach us. He doesn’t always remove the storm first; instead, he walks on the very waters that threaten us, demonstrating his authority and presence in the midst of our fears. Our greatest anxieties may be transformed into the very means by which we encounter Christ’s power and love. [18:16]
• 3. Jesus reveals himself in the storm as “I am,” the divine name, showing that he is not just a helper but the Lord over all creation. This revelation is meant to anchor our faith, reminding us that the one who comes to us in our darkest hour is the same God who holds all things together. Our confidence is not in our ability to weather the storm, but in the identity and authority of the one who comes to us. [21:22]
• 4. Peter’s experience on the water is not primarily a call to heroic faith, but a picture of the human struggle with doubt. Doubt here is not unbelief, but the tension between what we see and what Jesus says. When we find ourselves wavering, the invitation is not to condemn ourselves, but to cry out to Jesus, who is always ready to reach out and save. [28:18]
• 5. The presence of Jesus changes everything—not just the storm, but what comes after. When we invite him into our struggles, we may not see immediate resolution, but we discover who is with us in the midst of it all. The journey of faith is less about perfect discipline and more about continually reminding ourselves who Jesus is and allowing his presence to transform our perspective and our lives. [35:26]

Youtube Chapters

• [00:00] - Welcome
• [00:34] - Community and Connection Before Service
• [01:10] - Summer Stories and Boundary Waters
• [02:21] - Facing Obstacles and Feeling Helpless
• [04:16] - The Disciples’ Struggle on the Water
• [06:14] - Prayer for Illumination
• [07:34] - Jesus on the Mountain, Disciples in the Boat
• [08:12] - Jesus Sends Disciples Into Difficulty
• [10:50] - Different Kinds of Storms
• [12:42] - Jesus Approaches in the Darkest Hour
• [16:52] - Jesus Walks on the Water: Divine Authority
• [18:16] - The Pathway of What We Dread
• [21:22] - “I Am”: Jesus Reveals His Identity
• [22:42] - Peter Walks and Sinks: The Nature of Doubt
• [25:08] - Rethinking Peter’s Role
• [28:18] - Doubt, Faith, and Crying Out
• [32:03] - What This Means for Us Today
• [35:26] - The Transforming Presence of Jesus
• [36:39] - Closing Prayer and Blessing

Bible Reading

Matthew 14:22-33 (ESV) —
> 22 Immediately he made the disciples get into the boat and go before him to the other side, while he dismissed the crowds.
> 23 And after he had dismissed the crowds, he went up on the mountain by himself to pray. When evening came, he was there alone,
> 24 but the boat by this time was a long way from the land, beaten by the waves, for the wind was against them.
> 25 And in the fourth watch of the night he came to them, walking on the sea.
> 26 But when the disciples saw him walking on the sea, they were terrified, and said, “It is a ghost!” and they cried out in fear.
> 27 But immediately Jesus spoke to them, saying, “Take heart; it is I. Do not be afraid.”
> 28 And Peter answered him, “Lord, if it is you, command me to come to you on the water.”
> 29 He said, “Come.” So Peter got out of the boat and walked on the water and came to Jesus.
> 30 But when he saw the wind, he was afraid, and beginning to sink he cried out, “Lord, save me.”
> 31 Jesus immediately reached out his hand and took hold of him, saying to him, “O you of little faith, why did you doubt?”
> 32 And when they got into the boat, the wind ceased.
> 33 And those in the boat worshiped him, saying, “Truly you are the Son of God.”

Observation Questions

1. According to the passage, who sent the disciples into the boat and into the coming storm? What does the text say about their obedience? ([08:12])
2. What was the disciples’ main struggle during the storm—was it fear for their lives, or something else? How does the passage describe their situation? ([10:50])
3. How does Jesus approach the disciples in the middle of the storm? What is unusual about the way he comes to them? ([13:15])
4. What does Jesus say to the disciples when he arrives, and what is significant about his words? ([21:22])

Interpretation Questions

1. The sermon points out that Jesus sent the disciples into the storm, not as punishment but as part of his plan. What does this suggest about the relationship between obedience and hardship in the Christian life? ([08:12])
2. The preacher said that Jesus walked on the very waves that threatened the disciples, using the chaos as his path. What might this mean for how we view our own struggles and fears? ([18:16])
3. When Peter tries to walk on water, he begins to sink when he notices the wind and waves. The sermon says this is not just a lack of faith, but a struggle between what Peter sees and what Jesus says. How does this help us understand the nature of doubt? ([28:18])
4. The disciples worship Jesus after he calms the storm and say, “Truly you are the Son of God.” What does this reveal about what they learned through the experience? ([21:22])

Application Questions

1. The sermon challenges the idea that hardship is always a sign of being off course. Can you think of a time when you faced a difficult situation even though you were trying to follow Jesus? How did that experience affect your faith? ([08:12])
2. The preacher said that sometimes the very things we dread become the path Jesus uses to reach us. Is there something in your life right now that you are dreading or trying to avoid? How might Jesus be using that situation to draw near to you? ([18:16])
3. When Peter began to sink, he cried out, “Lord, save me,” and Jesus immediately reached out to help him. Are there areas in your life where you need to cry out for Jesus’ help instead of trying to handle things on your own? What would it look like to do that this week? ([30:18])
4. The sermon says that doubt is not faithlessness, but the tension between what we see and what Jesus invites us to believe. Where do you feel this tension in your own life? How can you bring your doubts honestly to Jesus? ([28:18])
5. The presence of Jesus didn’t immediately remove the storm, but it changed everything for the disciples. In your current struggles, how might focusing on Jesus’ presence change your perspective, even if your circumstances don’t change right away? ([35:26])
6. The preacher mentioned that the journey of faith is less about perfect discipline and more about remembering who Jesus is. What are some practical ways you can remind yourself of Jesus’ identity and presence during the week? ([35:26])
7. The disciples worshiped Jesus after the storm. How can you make worship a response to God’s faithfulness in your own life, especially after going through hard times? ([21:22])