Fear to Faith: Knowing We Are Not Alone in Times of Trouble

We Are Not Alone in Our Storms

In Mark 4:35-39(TLB), we see the disciples fearing for their lives. As evening fell, Jesus said to his disciples, “Let’s cross to the other side of the lake.” So they took him just as he was and started out, leaving the crowds behind (though other boats followed). But soon a terrible storm arose. High waves began to break into the boat until it was nearly full of water and about to sink. But they were not alone. Jesus was asleep at the back of the boat with his head on a cushion. Frantically, they wakened him, shouting, “Teacher, don’t you even care that we are all about to drown?” Then he rebuked the wind and said to the sea, “Quiet down!” And the wind fell, and there was a great calm!

Perhaps you are going through your own storm today. Maybe you feel like you are sinking and may drown because the waves are so big, and the winds are so strong.

I want to encourage you that this same Jesus who was in the boat with the disciples is also with you today. You do not have to face this storm alone.

Testimonial Reminders of God’s Presence

Because we are human, we excel at focusing on our problems. Our situations, health, pain, loss, or tragedy become our captain, crew, and anchor, and we forget to look to Jesus.

Isaiah 43 reminds us that we are not alone. God calls us by name. That when we walk through deep waters and great trouble, He will be with us. When we go through rivers of difficulty, we will not drown. We will walk through the fires of oppression, but we will not be burned up, for He is with us, and He loves us.

Take a moment and ask others how God rescued them. Bask in the glories of God through the testimonies of God-fearing people. Listen to their stories of redemption and how God never left their side.

Their testimonies will remind us that we are not alone and give us strength.

Ask God’s People, “Are we alone?”

If we ask Daniel, “Is God real?” He’ll share the story of how God shut the mouths of lions. Ask Shadrack, Meshack, and Abednego if God is with us, and they’ll tell of the fourth man in the fire. Speak with Moses about rescue, and he’ll remind us of how God made Pharaoh let His people go. Ask the people of Israel, “Does God care?” They’ll explain manna and quail in the desert. Or how freshwater can spring from a rock.

Ask Paul about captivity, and he’ll tell us about being set free. Ask Ruth about obedience, and she’ll tell us a story of God’s abundance. Ask David about surrender, and he’ll reveal story after story of God’s forgiveness. Ask the disciples about authority, and they’ll say, “Even the wind and waves obey His command.”

Mary Proves We Are Not Alone

Ask Mary if God works miracles. She’ll reveal how the Holy Spirit came upon her, and she conceived despite never having been with a man. She’ll tell many stories of feeling the Son of God grow in her womb, of how the baby in her cousin Elizabeth’s womb leaped for joy at her arrival because she carried the Son of God.

She’ll share of His birth and how many strangers came from near and far to worship Him. Her stories of His mighty miracles are numerous. She would tell of when He turned water into wine. She watched as He healed the sick, made the lame leap, the blind see, and cast out demons.

As if that were not enough, she’d explain that the biggest miracle of all is when He went to the cross, suffered a criminal’s death, and took the sins of all the world with Him to the grave. Then, on the third day, He rose again. That if we just believe, He promises to make a home for us with Him in heaven for the rest of eternity.

I know We Are Not Alone

Ask my husband, “How do you know God is real?” And he’ll share time after time when prayers were answered by a supernatural event. He’d smile and say, “Only God could do that!”

Ask me and I’ll tell you about radical change and how God used me, even at my weakest moment. I’ll share moments of intimacy so detailed and surreal that He cannot be denied.

Believing We Are Not Alone

Faith in action brings the power of Jesus into our lives. When we remember what God has done, we are enabled to stop focusing on the impossible (Our situations, health, pain, loss, or tragedy) and meditate on the God who does the impossible (Bringing peace in the storm).