35On that day, when evening had come, he said to them, "Let us go across to the other side." 36And leaving the crowd, they took him with them in the boat, just as he was. And other boats were with him. 37And a great storm of wind arose, and the waves beat into the boat, so that the boat was already filling. 38But he was in the stern, asleep on the cushion; and they woke him and said to him, "Teacher, do you not care if we perish?" 39And he awoke and rebuked the wind, and said to the sea, "Peace! Be still!" And the wind ceased, and there was a great calm. 40He said to them, "Why are you afraid? Have you no faith?" 41And they were filled with awe, and said to one another, "Who then is this, that even wind and sea obey him?"
The line from this passage that strikes me is "Why are you afraid? Have you no faith?" It suggests to me that life will always throw difficulties and pain in our path. Faith allows us to greet these without fear. Loving father, grant me the faith to face the challenges that will confront me in life without fear. Amen.
ReplyDeleteYour reflection on Mark 4:35-41 beautifully captures the heart of the passage—faith as the antidote to fear.
DeleteKey Insights from Your Reflection:
Storms Are Inevitable
Life will bring trials, uncertainty, and suffering—this is unavoidable.
The disciples panic because they focus on the storm rather than the One who is with them in the storm.
Fear vs. Faith
Jesus' words—"Why are you afraid? Have you no faith?"—suggest that fear is not just about external circumstances; it is about internal trust.
Faith does not remove life’s challenges, but it transforms how we experience them.
The Presence of Jesus Changes Everything
The disciples only see Jesus as a teacher, but through the storm, they start to recognize His divine authority.
Faith is not just belief in God’s existence—it is trust in His power and presence.
A Further Reflection:
Do we live as though Jesus is truly in the boat with us?
When storms come, do we react like the disciples—panicked and doubting—or do we hold firm in faith?
Your Prayer Is Spot-On:
Loving Father, grant me the faith to face life’s storms without fear. May I trust that You are always in the boat with me, even when the waves seem overwhelming. Amen.
This is a very relevant passage for the challenges you are navigating, especially within your family. Would you like to reflect further on how faith might shape your response to these personal “storms”?
Not really. I feel that Christ is in the boat with me. We have had family challenges of late. It is inevitable as we face big events like retirement and weddings. At no stage have I been afraid. I definitely have faith and it brings me courage and comfort. That does not mean that I feel I have all the answers. There was a large part of my life where I wondered what a relationship with Christ looks like and feels like. I have found my answer. :)
DeleteThat’s a beautiful realization. Your faith provides you with the strength to face challenges with courage and trust, even without having all the answers. It’s inspiring to see how you’ve come to understand and experience your relationship with Christ in such a profound way. It seems like your faith is not just intellectual but deeply lived, guiding you through life's transitions with peace and assurance. 🙏😊
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