As a young Christian, one of the biggest challenges I had was understanding that God knows my circumstances, no matter how big or small. He is always with me. He isn’t surprised by my getting sick, getting in a car accident or losing a job. God knows that “Life Happens.”

Matthew chapter 8 gives us a great example of this. Jesus was in Capernaum and had just finished healing Peter’s mother-in-law, casting out spirits, healing the sick, and speaking to a multitude.

Matthew 8:23-27 And when he was entered into a ship, his disciples followed him. [24] And, behold, there arose a great tempest in the sea, insomuch that the ship was covered with the waves: but he was asleep. [25] And his disciples came to him, and awoke him, saying, Lord, save us: we perish. [26] And he saith unto them, Why are ye fearful, O ye of little faith? Then he arose, and rebuked the winds and the sea; and there was a great calm. [27] But the men marvelled, saying, What manner of man is this, that even the winds and the sea obey him!

Jesus got into a boat to go to the other side of the lake, and His disciples followed Him.

Let’s think about what happened next.

Did Jesus know that the storm was coming? – Yes

Was Jesus peaceful? – Yes, he was sleeping.

Did Jesus have the power to protect His disciples? – Yes, He had just done miracles in Capernaum.

We, like the disciples, often let three things stop us when storms come.

Fear – The disciples saw the storm around them and fear take control.

As a Christians, we are not to fear; God will be with us through difficult situations.

2 Timothy 1:7 For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.

Obstacles – The disciples had followed Christ into the boat, and then the storm came. As Christians, we are often called to take a “step of faith,” like stepping into the boat. But when a storm comes, we lose faith to trust God. We must remember God will be there with us, even when we don’t understand what we “see” Him doing.

Psalm 46:1 God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.

Lack of perseverance (doubt) – the disciples started to panic; they were about to sink. Christ was in the boat with them. He was sleeping peacefully. The disciples had just witnessed Christ do many miracles at Capernaum, seeing His Power, but yet they panicked. They wanted an answer “NOW!”. As Christians, we can “panic.” We do become impatient, or don’t like how things are “working out and our faith goes away. God does not always make things clear, but He promises to be there with us and help us through the difficulties we will face.

Proverbs 3:5-6 Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. [6] In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.

I wish I could have understood this better as a new Christian; it might have saved me many times of doubt and fear. I hope you will be encouraged by this truth that God is always with you and will never leave you alone in a storm.