Finding Peace in Life's Storms Through Christ
Summary
If God has been good, it’s only right to give Him thanks and praise. Even after all the enemy has tried, we can still declare that we have our joy. Life brings storms—sometimes fierce, sometimes subtle, but always real. These storms can be financial, relational, emotional, or spiritual. Yet, in the midst of every storm, there is a promise of peace—not because the circumstances are easy, but because of who is with us in the boat.
Mark 4:35-41 tells the story of Jesus and His disciples crossing the lake when a violent storm arises. The disciples panic, but Jesus is asleep, unbothered by the chaos. When they wake Him, He simply speaks, “Peace, be still,” and the storm obeys. This moment is not just about weathering literal storms, but about learning to trust the One who controls all things. Following Jesus does not exempt us from trouble; in fact, sometimes obedience leads us straight into the storm. But the presence of Jesus changes everything. His divinity is never worried, even when His humanity is tired.
Peace is not found in possessions, status, or even in the absence of trouble. True peace is found in Christ alone. The storms of life reveal the depth and object of our faith. It’s easy to trust God when things are going well, but storms expose whether our faith is rooted in Him or in our circumstances. When we try to control things ourselves, we end up anxious and exhausted. But when we surrender and trust Jesus, we discover that even the winds and waves obey His voice.
Storms also lead us to a greater awe of God. When Jesus calms the storm, the disciples are left in wonder, asking, “Who is this man?” Every storm is an opportunity to see more of who Jesus is—our Redeemer, Sustainer, and Deliverer. If we trust Him, we can be kept in perfect peace, no matter what rages around us. There is nothing too hard for God. In the midst of your storm, keep singing, keep believing, and keep your faith anchored in Christ.
Key Takeaways
- Storms Are Inevitable, Even for the Faithful
No amount of obedience or faith exempts us from the storms of life. Even when we follow Jesus closely, we will encounter trials and difficulties. The presence of storms is not a sign of God’s absence or displeasure, but a reality of life in a broken world. Our calling is not to avoid storms, but to trust God through them. [24:55]
- Jesus Is Present, Even When He Seems Silent
In the chaos and fear of the storm, Jesus was right there in the boat, though He appeared to be sleeping. His apparent silence is not abandonment; His presence is the assurance that we are never alone. God’s timing and methods may not align with our expectations, but He is always working for our good. We can rest, knowing that He is sovereign over every situation. [30:04]
- The Storm Is Subject to His Voice
No matter how fierce the storm, it is always under the authority of Jesus. One word from Him—“Peace, be still”—can change everything in an instant. Our efforts to control or fix our circumstances often lead to frustration, but surrendering to Christ’s authority brings true peace. The power of God’s word is enough to calm any chaos in our lives. [32:37]
- Storms Reveal the True Nature of Our Faith
It’s easy to profess faith when life is smooth, but storms test the authenticity and depth of our trust in God. Trials expose whether our confidence is in God Himself or in the comfort of our circumstances. Faith is not just quoting scripture, but living it out when everything is uncertain. God uses storms to refine our faith and draw us closer to Him. [36:35]
- Every Storm Is an Invitation to Greater Awe of God
When Jesus calmed the storm, the disciples were left in awe, realizing anew the greatness of the One they followed. Our storms are not just obstacles, but opportunities to encounter God’s power and love in deeper ways. As we see Him move, our worship and trust grow, and we are reminded that there is nothing too hard for Him. In every storm, God invites us to know Him more intimately. [39:38]
Youtube Chapters
[00:00] - Welcome
[00:49] - Praise and Thanksgiving
[01:49] - Reflections on Worship and Ministry
[02:38] - Scripture Reading: Mark 4:35-41
[07:10] - The Storm on the Lake
[09:43] - Defining Storms and Peace
[12:15] - God’s Goodness in Trouble
[15:06] - True Peace in Christ
[16:30] - The Real Lesson: Faith in the Storm
[18:26] - Personal Testimony: Fears and God’s Control
[20:09] - The Five Lessons from the Storm
[24:55] - Storms Will Come, Even for the Faithful
[25:42] - Jesus Is in the Boat
[30:04] - God’s Sovereignty and Our Anxiety
[32:37] - The Power of Jesus’ Word
[36:35] - Faith Tested in the Storm
[39:38] - Awe and Worship After the Storm
[42:06] - Who Jesus Is: Our All in All
[44:56] - Trusting Jesus Brings Peace
[46:42] - Invitation and Closing Song
Study Guide
Small Group Bible Study Guide: Peace in the Midst of the Storm
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### Bible Reading
- Mark 4:35-41
(Jesus calms the storm on the lake)
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### Observation Questions
1. In Mark 4:35-41, what was Jesus doing during the storm, and how did the disciples react to the situation?
2. According to the sermon, what kinds of “storms” do people face in life besides literal weather? ([07:58])
3. What did Jesus say to the wind and the waves, and what was the result?
4. After Jesus calmed the storm, what question did the disciples ask each other, and why is it significant? ([39:38])
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### Interpretation Questions
1. The sermon says that following Jesus does not exempt us from storms. Why might God allow storms even when we are being obedient? ([24:55])
2. The disciples panicked while Jesus was asleep. What does this reveal about their understanding of who Jesus was at that moment? ([25:42])
3. The preacher said, “Peace is not found in possessions, status, or even in the absence of trouble. True peace is found in Christ alone.” What does this mean in practical terms for a believer? ([15:06])
4. The storm led the disciples to a greater awe of Jesus. How can difficult times in our lives help us see more of who God is? ([39:38])
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### Application Questions
1. The sermon began with a call to give God thanks and praise, even after all the enemy has tried. What is one specific thing you can thank God for this week, even if you are in a storm right now? ([00:49])
2. Think about a recent “storm” in your life—financial, relational, emotional, or spiritual. How did you respond? Did you try to control it yourself, or did you turn to Jesus? What would you do differently now? ([31:44])
3. The preacher said, “When we try to control things ourselves, we end up anxious and exhausted. But when we surrender and trust Jesus, we discover that even the winds and waves obey His voice.” What is one area of your life where you need to surrender control to Jesus this week? ([32:37])
4. Jesus was present in the boat, even when He seemed silent. Have you ever felt like God was silent during a hard time? How did you handle it, and what did you learn about God’s presence? ([30:04])
5. The sermon said, “Storms reveal the true nature of our faith.” When was a time your faith was tested? What did you learn about yourself and about God? ([36:35])
6. The disciples were left in awe, asking, “Who is this man?” after Jesus calmed the storm. What is one way you can intentionally look for God’s power and presence in your current circumstances? ([39:38])
7. The preacher encouraged us to “keep singing, keep believing, and keep your faith anchored in Christ.” What is one practical way you can keep your faith strong during a storm this month? ([46:42])
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Closing Prayer Suggestion:
Ask God to help you trust Him in every storm, to recognize His presence even when He seems silent, and to give you peace that only He can provide.
Devotional
Day 1: Peace in the Midst of the Storm
No matter how fierce or unexpected the storms of life may be—whether they come as financial crises, health scares, broken relationships, or seasons of deep loneliness—there is a peace available that surpasses all understanding. This peace is not the absence of trouble, but the presence of Jesus in the midst of it. When the winds rage and the waves threaten to overwhelm, remember that Jesus is with you, offering a calm that the world cannot give. Even when you feel weighed down by the pressures and uncertainties of life, you can rest in the assurance that God’s peace is stronger than any storm you face. [09:43]
Mark 4:35-41 (NLT)
As evening came, Jesus said to his disciples, “Let’s cross to the other side of the lake.” So they took Jesus in the boat and started out, leaving the crowds behind (although other boats followed). But soon a fierce storm came up. High waves were breaking into the boat, and it began to fill with water. Jesus was sleeping at the back of the boat with his head on a cushion. The disciples woke him up, shouting, “Teacher, don’t you care that we’re going to drown?” When Jesus woke up, he rebuked the wind and said to the waves, “Silence! Be still!” Suddenly the wind stopped, and there was a great calm. Then he asked them, “Why are you afraid? Do you still have no faith?” The disciples were absolutely terrified. “Who is this man?” they asked each other. “Even the wind and waves obey him!”
Reflection: What is one storm in your life right now where you need to invite Jesus to bring His peace, even before the circumstances change?
Day 2: God Is Good—A Stronghold in Trouble
In the midst of every trouble, God remains good and steadfast. He is a stronghold when life feels overwhelming, a refuge when the world seems to be falling apart. No matter what troubles surround you—on your job, in your home, or in the world at large—God’s goodness does not change. He knows those who take refuge in Him, and He promises to be your security and your peace. When you recount the ways God has been faithful, you are reminded that your strongholds are not greater than your God, and that He is always working for your good. [12:52]
Nahum 1:7 (ESV)
The Lord is good, a stronghold in the day of trouble; he knows those who take refuge in him.
Reflection: Where in your life do you need to intentionally take refuge in God’s goodness today, trusting Him as your stronghold?
Day 3: True Peace Comes from Jesus Alone
True peace is not found in possessions, achievements, or even in the absence of conflict, but in Jesus Himself. He promises that in Him, you will have peace, even as you face tribulation in the world. The Christian journey is not easy, and trials are certain, but Jesus has overcome the world. When your mind is fixed on Him, He keeps you in perfect peace, no matter what chaos surrounds you. Let your heart rest in the assurance that Jesus alone is the source of lasting peace, and that He is with you through every trial. [15:06]
John 16:33 (ESV)
I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.
Reflection: What is one area where you have been seeking peace apart from Jesus, and how can you shift your focus to Him today?
Day 4: The Storm Reveals Your Faith
Storms in life are not just obstacles; they are opportunities for your faith to be revealed and strengthened. It’s easy to trust God when everything is going well, but true faith is tested when the winds blow and the waves rise. The disciples had seen Jesus perform miracles, yet in the storm, their fear exposed their lack of trust. In your own life, storms will expose whether your faith is rooted in God or in your circumstances. Let every trial be a chance to deepen your trust in the One who is always faithful, knowing that faith as small as a mustard seed can move mountains. [34:40]
Hebrews 11:1,6 (ESV)
Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen. … And without faith it is impossible to please him, for whoever would draw near to God must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him.
Reflection: When was the last time a difficult situation revealed the true strength of your faith, and how can you respond differently the next time a storm comes?
Day 5: Awe and Worship—Who Is This Man?
When Jesus calms the storms in your life, it leads to a deeper awe and worship of who He is. The disciples, once terrified by the storm, were left in awe of Jesus’ authority and power, asking, “Who is this man, that even the wind and the waves obey him?” Every time God brings you through a storm, let it be a reminder of His greatness and love. Let your response be worship, gratitude, and a renewed commitment to trust Him. No matter what you face, remember that Jesus is your deliverer, your sustainer, and your all in all—worthy of all your praise. [39:38]
Psalm 107:29 (ESV)
He made the storm be still, and the waves of the sea were hushed.
Reflection: How has God’s faithfulness in past storms led you to a greater sense of awe and worship, and how can you express that awe to Him today?
Quotes
All you need is one word from Jesus. One word will change the whole trajectory of your life. One word will make stuff better. One word will cause you to be healed. One word will cause you to be set free. One word will cause you to be delivered. One word from Jesus because he has all power in his hands. [00:32:25] (34 seconds)
Jesus is present even when it feels like he's silent. Jesus is present even when he feels like, when it feels like he's silent. And you're asking those questions, God, where are you at? God, why aren't you moving in this situation? Oh, he going to move because he's sovereign. God does what he wants to, when he wants to, and how he wants to. He's not going to move on your timetable. He's going to move on his timetable. Because all things work together for the good of those who love the Lord. [00:29:49] (50 seconds)
You ain't gonna find peace in your money, you ain't gonna find peace in that nice car you got in the parking lot, you ain't gonna find peace in your home, you ain't gonna find peace on your job. Jesus said I'm the only person that's gonna give you true peace. [00:15:18] (27 seconds)
Storms test the strength of our faith and reveal the subject of our trust in him. It's easy to quote scripture, it's easy to quote scripture but can you live out the scriptures that you quoted? That's faith. [00:38:40] (22 seconds)
If the disciples had trusted in him, they would have been kept in peace. Y 'all wouldn't sleep on that one. If the disciples had trusted in him, they would have been kept in peace. Let me go to the third person. If you trust in him, you can be kept in peace. Their fear in the time of danger revealed their unbelief. In their efforts to save themselves, they forgot Jesus. And it was only when in despair of self -dependence, they turned to him that he could give them help. [00:45:20] (60 seconds)
The storm reveals our faith. The Bible says, the Bible says in verse 40, then he asked them, why are you afraid? do you still have and verse 40. 4 and Thank you. No faith. The Bible says, oh God help me, that faith is the substance of things hoped for. It is the evidence of things not seen. But if you move further down to Hebrews, it says, without faith, come on Bible readers, it is impossible to please God. [00:33:41] (46 seconds)
Storms lead to a greater awe of God. Storms reveal who God is because in verse 31 one after Jesus got up from his little nap and told the waves and the winds to shut up and to be still don't don't don't Those jokers had the nerve to say, what manner of man is this, that even the wind and the waves obey him? [00:39:12] (42 seconds)
The reason why some of us got so many issues in our life because we're panicking and we're worried. But Jesus ain't worried. He ain't panicking. Y 'all, stress kills. Stress is a silent killer. Y 'all better start stressing over the stuff you can't control. Stop stressing over the stuff you can't control. Give it to Jesus. [00:29:03] (45 seconds)
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