Wellbeing

Matthew 8:25–27 “And they went and woke him, saying, ‘Save us, Lord; we are perishing.’ And he said to them, ‘Why are you afraid, O you of little faith?’ Then he rose and rebuked the winds and the sea, and there was a great calm. And the men marvelled, saying, ‘What sort of man is this, that even winds and sea obey him?’” 

We, just like the disciples in the boat, may at times begin to think, “Does Jesus not care? Is God indifferent? Perhaps we can recognise ourselves in the disciples’ questions. When we experience pain, suffering or distress, it seems strange that God allows it to continue. It is difficult at such times to receive Jesus’ wish for peace when we are so preoccupied by what confronts us. Jesus always takes a longer view and asks the same of us. He puts the present moment in God’s hands, trusting that God will work in all things for our good.

In a storm, whether of the sea or of our own emotions, the urgent often pushes out the important; overwhelmed by feelings of panic, We can say and do things that destroy relationships or make our plight worse. It need not be like that. Mother Teresa, Gandhi, Nelson Mandela, suffered worse crises than any we have suffered; we marvel at the calm with which they could respond. Jesus’ greeting is one of peace. Teach me that, Lord.

The disciples found out bit by bit ‘what kind of man this is'. In different situations they would get to know Jesus; by hearing him and watching him with people, they would understand and appreciate and love him more. Reflection, prayer, conversation and reading can all enhance and increase our knowledge of him. Mostly our knowledge will grow with our love of him, as both grow together. Our prayer leads us from love to knowledge, the knowledge of the heart that is at the heart of prayer.

This scene is often pictured and is a favourite for times of stress and of darkness - in the storms of life. We may feel Jesus is asleep, not near us. He woke at the moment he was really needed, and calmed the waters. In prayer he calms us too, maybe not immediately but when we really need him he is there, a hand outstretched to save us from anxiety, darkness and despair. The Lord of wind and sea, the one in whom all was created is the one who creates calm and confidence in everything of life. 

Heavenly Father, You are our hiding place from the storm and the rain. You are our shelter and our covering. We ask You for preservation from this raging tempest. Please keep all those in the path of this storm safe and defend their homes from damage. Bring peace and protection and provision, we ask. Thank You for Your great compassion and mercy for Your children. Amen.