I tend to have control issues at times.  I want to figure things out and solve problems.  That's usually when I become overwhelmed.  And life starts piling up all around me.  Surrounding me.  Choking me.

There is a great account of Jesus’ disciples in a boat on a lake when a giant storm came up out of nowhere.  (Jesus had actually suggested that they get into the boat to start with!)  They were all wigging out as the water came into the boat to the point where they were all convinced that they weren’t going to make it.  They even wondered why Jesus wasn’t doing anything about their problem.  They also were incredulous that he was sleeping in the back of the boat!

When they woke Jesus up, He rebuked the storm.  And at the same time, He turned to His followers and rebuked them for having little or no faith in Him.

You see, they missed or overlooked a few key characteristics of following Jesus...

1. Jesus sends us in directions that can be tough and full of difficulty.  (Causing us to worry, stress out, feel despondent, and wonder why stuff in life is happening to us.)
2. Jesus allows storms to happen in our life.
3. Our faith is measurable.  We can have no faith,  a little faith or a lot of faith.  It can vary in quantity from believer to believer.
4. We tend to miss the obvious in our journey with Christ.  Jesus is in the boat with us in the midst of our storms in life!  He wants us to wholly and completely trust Him.  He doesn’t want us to try and bail the water out of our boat to fix our problems.  He wants us to recognize and live our lives daily resting in Him.

Here is the text to encourage you from Mark 4:35 – 41.

That day when evening came, he said to his disciples, "Let us go over to the other side." Leaving the crowd behind, they took him along, just as he was, in the boat. There were also other boats with him. A furious squall came up, and the waves broke over the boat, so that it was nearly swamped. Jesus was in the stern, sleeping on a cushion. The disciples woke him and said to him, "Teacher, don't you care if we drown?"

He got up, rebuked the wind and said to the waves, "Quiet! Be still!" Then the wind died down and it was completely calm.  He said to his disciples, "Why are you so afraid? Do you still have no faith?"  They were terrified and asked each other, "Who is this? Even the wind and the waves obey him!"

Be encouraged my friend!  While we think Jesus is asleep at the wheel, He's actually got our back!  He's always in control.

Do we believe it?