“On that day, when evening had come, he said to them, “Let us go across to the other side.” And leaving the crowd, they took him with them in the boat, just as he was…And a great windstorm arose, and the waves were breaking into the boat, so that the boat was already filling. But he was in the stern, asleep on the cushion. And they woke him and said to him, “Teacher, do you not care that we are perishing?” And he awoke and rebuked the wind and said to the sea, “Peace! Be still!” And the wind ceased, and there was a great calm. He said to them, “Why are you so afraid? Have you still no faith?” And they were filled with great fear and said to one another, “Who then is this, that even the wind and the sea obey him?” ~ Mark 4:35-41

Lord, Don’t You Care???

When I read this story, I can almost feel the heightened anxiety of the disciples in the boat with Jesus. Here they were, in the middle of a great storm, probably doing everything they could to stay afloat and….Jesus was sleeping.

When we are going through a difficult circumstance or situation where we need God’s help and He doesn’t appear to be “waking up” to do anything about it (i.e. relieve our pain! calm this storm!), we may want to say like the disciples on the boat, “Don’t you care that we are perishing??”

Don’t you care that my marriage is falling apart?

Don’t you care that I lost my job?

Don’t you care that my brother is very, very sick? (think Mary and Martha here)

Don’t you care that I haven’t had a full night’s sleep in months? (think “new mom” here)

A God Who is Awake to Our Problems

We serve a God who is awake to our problems. He is not indifferent to the suffering of humanity and the trial that you are facing this very day. Here are three promises from God’s Word to cling to when you feel like the storms of life are crashing in:

1. God is With You

Fear not, for I have redeemed you;
    I have called you by name, you are mine.
When you pass through the waters, I will be with you;
    and through the rivers, they shall not overwhelm you;
when you walk through fire you shall not be burned,
    and the flame shall not consume you.
For I am the Lord your God,
    the Holy One of Israel, your Savior. ~ Isaiah 43:1-3

This passage of Scripture has carried me through many a trial.  This trial will not overwhelm you (the Hebrew word here means “engulf” or “sweep away”) or consume you. God is with you – take heart!

2. God Will Never Forsake You

One of the most powerful promises in the Bible says what our fearful hearts need to hear more than anything: “I will never leave you nor forsake you.” ~ Hebrews 13:5

The word “forsake” in the Greek literally means “leave behind in” – to be left behind in a perilous or difficult moment. To be abandoned. When we choose to put our trust in Christ, He promises never to abandon us in our trials.

3. The Testing of Your Faith Produces Steadfastness

^“Count it all joy, my brothers,when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.“~ James 1:2-4

Look back over your journey with the Lord. What trials has He carried you through already? Are you spiritually stronger for having gone through them?

Friend, God has not abandoned you in your trial. He is with you, holding your hand, ready to strengthen your faith with each difficult step. And He wants you to grow closer to Him and more like Him through the process.

“There are some of your graces which would never be discovered if it were not for your trials.” – Charles Haddon Spurgeon