Sleeping Through Storms?

Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid. John 14:27

What do you do when the plane you are flying in runs into heavy turbulence? The sort of turbulence that gives you good reason to expect that the plane may never land again, and that you might never see your loved ones again. What do you do?

Do you join the rest of the passengers in praying fervently? Do you join the loud chorus of blooooooooooooood of Jeeeeeeeeeeeesus being screamed by everyone, including Muslims, traditionalists and even avowed atheist? What do you really do?

It is important to understand that the peace that the Lord offers us is the kind that he had which allowed him to continue to doze undisturbed in a storm-tossed boat that was about to capsize.

Well, we at least know what some believers might do. They, like the disciples of Jesus who were caught in a storm on the sea might panic, and scream out to God “carest thou not that we perish?” (Mark 4:38). When we are confronted by danger, it is not as easy to be rational, and full of faith, as we might like to assume we would. It certainly wasn’t for the disciples in this instance.

The peace the Lord offers is the kind that allows us not necessarily to avoid storms but to sleep through even the fiercest of them.

In the split second when danger stares us in the face, it is easy to forget that the Lord said, “Are not five sparrows sold for two farthings, and not one of them is forgotten before God? But even the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Fear not therefore: ye are of more value than many sparrows.” (Luke 12:6-7)

It is important to understand that the peace that the Lord offers us is the kind that he had which allowed him to continue to doze undisturbed in a storm-tossed boat that was about to capsize. It is not the kind of peace that the world offers which means the absence of trouble. The peace the Lord offers is the kind that allows us not necessarily to avoid storms but to sleep through even the fiercest of them.

“Let not your heart be troubled,” says the Lord. But one might ask, “how can a man keep trouble from his heart when he is surrounded by it?” The secret as Isaiah writes is to keep our mind focused on him

“Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee.“(Isaiah 26:3)

Prayer

Lord, help me to focus my mind on you continually. Help me to look at all life through your eyes.