The Other Side
There is a story in the Bible is found in Mark 4 that is pretty famous. Jesus and His disciples climb into a boat, and before they leave, Jesus says "Let us go over to the other side."
Then, almost immediately, everything changes. A violent storm rolls in. The waves begin crashing into the boat, water starts filling it, and the disciples—many of whom were experienced fishermen become terrified. Meanwhile, where is Jesus? Sleeping. On a pillow. The disciples wake Him in a panic and ask, "Teacher, do You not care that we are perishing?" (Mark 4:38).
Jesus stands, rebukes the wind, speaks to the sea, and says, "Peace! Be still!" Instantly, the storm obeys. Then He turns to His disciples and asks, "Why are you so afraid? Have you still no faith?"
If I'm being honest, I've read this story so many times and thought, “Come on, disciples... Jesus was literally in the boat with you! How could you panic?” But the older I get and the more I've grown in my faith, the more I've realized that I am the disciples! Maybe not in a boat on the Sea of Galilee… but I have experienced being in the middle of my own “storms” and I often forget who is with me.
I heard a pastor preach on this passage. I've probably heard 50+ sermons about Jesus calming the storm in my lifetime, but this time one simple observation was made and I never forgot it. He said, "Notice what Jesus says before they ever get into the storm." "Let us go to the other side." Not, “Let's see if we make it.” Not, “Hopefully we'll get there.” He simply says, "Let's go to the other side.”
Jesus had already told them where they were going. The destination was never in question. The storm didn't surprise Jesus. It didn't change His plan, and it certainly didn't cancel His promise. The disciples had spent enough time with Jesus to know that when He spoke, His words could be trusted. So why did they panic? Because they're human. And so are we.
How many times has God given us a promise in His Word, yet we still fill in the blanks with fear? We say, "I know you said You'll never leave me... but what if You leave this situation?" Or, "I know You said You'll provide... but what about this bill, this diagnosis, this relationship, this uncertainty?" Or even, "I know all things work together for good... but surely not this." We read His promises, yet somehow convince ourselves that our situation must be the exception. The disciples believed Jesus—until the storm became louder than His words. If we're honest, we often do the same.
When the waves seem higher than your boat, when you're taking on water, and you find yourself thinking, I don't know if I can make it through one more day. This is going to take me under, remember this: Jesus never promised there wouldn't be a storm—He promised they would make it to the other side. The storm wasn't a sign that God had abandoned them; it was simply part of the journey to the place He had already promised they would reach.
Maybe that's where you are today. The waves feel overwhelming, the future feels uncertain, and God seems quiet, almost as if He's asleep. But His silence is not His absence. If He said you're going to the other side, then no storm can overturn His promise.
The same God who was with Moses at the Red Sea, with David before Goliath, with Daniel in the lions' den, and with the disciples in the storm is with you today. He has not changed.
So when fear begins asking, "God, where are you?” remember what He already said before the storm ever began: “We're going to the other side.”
- April Lemau