A person who is drowning experiences overwhelming panic. With all their strength, they will scream for help, even as water fills their nose and mouth. In their panic and fear, they may even thrash about when someone tries to rescue them. Not because they don’t want help, but because panic and fear keep them from fully surrendering to being saved. In such situations, the danger comes not only from the water that can drown them, but also from their resistance to the rescue itself.
As believers, we are not immune to what happens around us. God never promised that a believer’s sky would always be clear; instead, dark clouds may gather. God also never guaranteed that a believer’s path would always be smooth and unobstructed; rather, rough roads can be an inseparable part of life. How we respond to those realities, however, will show whom we really trust.
Likewise, Jesus’ disciples could not avoid trouble. They cried out and shouted for help. At first glance, there is nothing wrong with that cry for help—it is human and reasonable. We, too, can call on the Lord with shouts or prayers, even if they echo only in our hearts. What was wrong was not their plea, but the lack of trust implied in their words, “We are perishing.” That is what prompted Jesus to rebuke them: “Why are you afraid, you of little faith?” They were not yet dying, but they acted as if destruction were certain. Their boat had not sunk, yet they felt as if there was no hope left. While Jesus was in the boat with them, they still felt the storm’s shaking and the waves’ assault, but they were under His care. The same is true for believers: as long as we are in God’s hands, storms may shake us, but our lives remain within His sovereignty.
Why did Jesus rebuke the winds and the sea after reprimanding His disciples? Why did He not calm the elements first and then admonish them? It shows that a person’s condition is more important than the problems they face. A human being’s standing before God matters more than their life’s troubles. God sovereignly helps people out of suffering—not because He is inattentive, but because above all problems He cares most about the person. Do not let problems make you distrustful, suspicious, or even accuse God as the cause of your troubles. This was Jesus’ concern for His disciples: how could those who had been with Him still show so little trust in Him?
May our journey with the Father and the Lord Jesus be grounded in full trust in Him. God wants to keep us in His care for our physical needs and, even more, for our souls and spiritual life. Therefore, do not grow weary of trusting Him. Hold on and wait for His help. God does not always work as quickly as we want, but His help comes at the right time. We need help that is right according to His timing, not help that is quick according to our timetable.