Faith in the Storm: The Storms of Life and the Savior’s Power Mark 4:35-41
Main Idea: Jesus has authority over every storm, and we must trust Him in the midst of them, even when He seems silent.
Text: Mark 4:35-41
35 On that day, when evening had come, he said to them, “Let us go across to the other side.”
36 And leaving the crowd, they took him with them in the boat, just as he was. And other boats were with him.
37 And a great windstorm arose, and the waves were breaking into the boat, so that the boat was already filling.
38 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?”
39 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.
40 He said to them, “Why are you so afraid? Have you still no faith?”
41 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?”
1. The Reality of Storms (vv. 35-37) – Storms Will Come
A. Storms Are a Part of Life
In verse 35, Jesus tells His disciples, “Let us go over to the other side.” They were following Jesus’ direction, yet they still encountered a storm.
This reminds us that obedience to God does not exempt us from trials. In fact, sometimes following Jesus leads us directly into the storm.
Examples of this are found everywhere in the Bible:
(1) Jesus’ Disciples in the Storm (Matthew 14:22-33)
After feeding the five thousand, Jesus "made" His disciples get into a boat and cross the lake while He prayed.
They obeyed, yet a storm arose, and they struggled against the wind and waves.
(2) Job’s Testing (Job 1-2)
Job was "blameless and upright" (Job 1:1), yet God allowed Satan to test him through extreme suffering.
He lost his wealth, children, and health, yet remained faithful.
Lesson: Righteousness does not guarantee an easy life, but God honors faithfulness.
(3) God led the people of Israel towards the red sea…. As if trapping them:
In Exodus 13:17-18 it says:
When Pharaoh let the people go, God did not lead them by way of the land of the Philistines; although it was near. For God said, ‘Lest the people change their minds when they see war and return to Egypt.’ But God lead the people around the way of the wilderness toward the Red Sea”
(4) Paul’s Hardships for the Gospel (Acts 9, 2 Corinthians 11:23-28)
Paul obeyed God's call, yet he faced imprisonments, beatings, shipwrecks, and constant danger.
He understood that suffering for Christ was part of his calling.
Storms in life come in many ways shape or forms—health crises, financial struggles, relational conflicts, or spiritual battles.
B. The Disciples Were Experienced Fishermen
Many of these men had spent their lives on the water. If they were afraid, it must have been a severe storm.
This highlights that no matter how skilled or prepared we think we are, life can bring storms beyond our control.
C. Unexpected and Uncontrollable
The storm arose “suddenly” (v. 37). Life’s storms often come without warning.
Just like the disciples, we can find ourselves overwhelmed and struggling to keep our heads above water.
Application:
Are you facing a storm in your life right now?
Do you feel like your world is spinning out of control?
Remember, storms are inevitable, but you are not alone.
2. The Response of Fear (v. 38a) – The Disciples Panic and Doubt
A. The Disciples’ Fear Overwhelms Their Faith
In verse 38, the disciples cry out, “Teacher, don’t you care if we drown?”
Instead of remembering who was in the boat with them, they allowed fear to take control.
Fear makes us forget what we know about God’s power and goodness.
A note on fear:
Fear has a way of clouding our judgment and making us lose sight of the truths we already know, especially about God’s power and goodness. When we are overwhelmed by fear, our focus shifts from God's faithfulness to our immediate problems, making them seem bigger than they actually are.
For example, in the Bible, when the Israelites faced challenges in the wilderness, they often forgot how God had delivered them from Egypt. Instead of trusting Him, they let fear take over, doubting His ability to provide for them (Exodus 16:2-3). Similarly, Peter was able to walk on water when he kept his eyes on Jesus, but the moment he focused on the wind and waves, fear made him sink (Matthew 14:29-30).
This shows that fear can make us forget how powerful, loving, and faithful God is. However, when we remind ourselves of His past faithfulness and promises, we can overcome fear and trust Him fully.
B. Jesus Seems Asleep (v. 38b) – God’s Silence Does Not Mean His Absence
Jesus was asleep on a cushion—completely at peace in the middle of the storm.
This wasn’t indifference; it was confidence in His Father’s plan. Remember Jesus had said: “Let us go across to the other side.” (35) which implied that they would eventually get to the other side, no matter what happens in between.
There are times when it seems like God is silent or inactive in our struggles, but remember: He is always present.
Application:
Have you ever felt like God was silent in your storm?
Instead of asking, “Where is God?” we should remember that He is in the boat with us.
3. The Power of Jesus (vv. 38b-39) – Jesus Speaks, and the Storm Obeys
A. Jesus Speaks with Authority
In verse 39, Jesus rebukes the wind and the waves with three words: “Peace, be still.”
Immediately, the storm stops. The wind dies down, and the sea becomes completely calm.
This is a powerful reminder that Jesus has authority over all of creation.
B. One Word from Jesus Can Calm Any Storm
Just as He calmed the physical storm, Jesus can calm the storms in our lives.
No matter how great the chaos, His power is greater.
Application:
What storm do you need Jesus to speak into today?
Trust that His Word is enough to bring peace, even in the most turbulent circumstances.
4. The Call to Faith (vv. 40-41) – Jesus Rebukes Fear and Calls for Faith
A. Jesus Questions Their Fear
In verse 40, Jesus asks, “Why are you so afraid? Do you still have no faith?”
Fear and faith cannot coexist—one will always drive out the other.
Please understand that: fear and faith are opposing forces, and whichever one dominates in a given moment will push out the other.
Faith is trust, confidence, or belief in something greater—whether it's in God, oneself, or a positive outcome. Faith encourages courage, hope, and resilience.
Fear, on the other hand, is rooted in doubt, uncertainty, and insecurity. It leads to hesitation, anxiety, and sometimes paralysis.
When fear takes over, it weakens faith by making a person doubt, hesitate, or feel powerless. Conversely, when faith is strong, it diminishes fear by instilling confidence and trust that things will work out.
The disciples had seen Jesus perform miracles, yet in the storm, they still doubted.
B. Jesus Calls Us to Trust Him
Faith is not the absence of storms; it is confidence in Jesus through the storm.
The disciples marveled at His power, asking, “Who is this? Even the wind and waves obey him!” (v. 41).
The key to peace is not avoiding storms but trusting the One who controls them.
Application:
What is Jesus asking you to trust Him with today?
Are you allowing fear to control you, or are you choosing faith?
Move from fear to faith by keeping your eyes on Jesus, not the storm.
Conclusion:
Storms in life are inevitable, but Jesus is greater than every storm we will ever face. Please remember, and reflect upon the following:
When the storm comes, will you respond with fear or faith?
Even when God seems silent, trust that He is still present.
One word from Jesus can calm your storm, will you trust Him today?
