I have a good friend who ferries boats up and down the East coast for a living. An accomplished captain, he navigates all kinds of weather and conditions. This man is a solid Christian, a recovered addict, and a leader of others who struggle with addiction. He has weathered all kinds of storms in his life as well as on the water. But the strength of his faith is ironclad. Through all of his experiences, he has learned to trust God and wholly yield to God’s will. Everyone who knows him is blessed by his example.

My friend is living proof that you can survive the worst storm of your life if you submit your life to Jesus. He sent me this picture last week and commented that some mornings you wake up and suddenly you are in the midst of the storm. But on that day, God hasn’t changed. The only thing that changes is the height and depth of the waves around us, but God is consistent, present, and unchangeable.

I immediately thought of the Scripture that demonstrates God’s power to overcome any storm we face in our lives:

Luke 8 (New International Version)

²² One day Jesus said to his disciples, “Let us go over to the other side of the lake.” So they got into a boat and set out. ²³ As they sailed, he fell asleep. A squall came down on the lake, so that the boat was being swamped, and they were in great danger.

²⁴ The disciples went and woke him, saying, “Master, Master, we’re going to drown!”

He got up and rebuked the wind and the raging waters; the storm subsided, and all was calm. ²⁵ “Where is your faith?” he asked his disciples.

In fear and amazement they asked one another, “Who is this? He commands even the winds and the water, and they obey him.”

If you are in the midst of high seas and battering winds, remember who commands even the winds and the water. Jesus is in control of every dangerous thing that threatens to drown you. Like my friend, if you submit to his power and do his will, you will sail on to better seas.

Sometimes the storm is of our own making. Submitting to his will may mean getting serious about your addictions, behaviors, or destructive habits. It may mean physically leaving a place or a relationship that has grown toxic. It may mean risking everything to pursue a positive outcome. It may mean letting go of something so that you can fully grasp the life that he promised.

What storm are you in today? When you find Jesus, you will find the calm.

The Storm Subsides at His Voice by Dustin Daniels