Jesus and his disciples were crossing to the other side of the sea when a great windstorm arose, threatening to sink their boat. Though Jesus was asleep during the storm, the disciples woke him in fear that they would perish. Jesus calmed the storm with just three words, "Peace, be still." Though storms will come, Jesus has authority over nature and the circumstances of our lives. He brings peace when we have faith in him.

1. The Storms of Life
All NKJV unless otherwise specified
Mark 4 v35-41
35
On the same day, when evening had come, He said to them, “Let us cross over to the other side.” 36
Now when they had left
the multitude, they took Him along in the boat as He was. And other little boats were also with Him. 37
And a great windstorm
arose, and the waves beat into the boat, so that it was already filling. 38
But He was in the stern, asleep on a pillow. And they
awoke Him and said to Him, “Teacher, do You not care that we are perishing?” 39
Then He arose and rebuked the wind, and
said to the sea, “Peace, be still!” And the wind ceased and there was a great calm. 40
But He said to them, “Why are you so
fearful? How is it that you have no faith?” 41
And they feared exceedingly, and said to one another, “Who can this be, that even
the wind and the sea obey Him!”
Think of situations or circumstances in life where you were (or are) experiencing storms and contrast this against the below.
What can we observe here:
1) The fact that Jesus was in the boat did not mean that there was not going to be a storm coming against them.
2) The physical evidence “seen” was that the boat was beginning to sink. The disciples reacted to their circumstances.
3) Their response was fear. However Jesus was asleep.
4) The called upon Jesus in their time of need.
5) Jesus has authority over the storm.
6) Jesus spoke 3 words to the storm “Peace, be still.” Peace knowing that God is in control. When we yield to God’s control,
whatever storm has arisen will be still.
7) When we have faith in Jesus, we know that no storm will overcome us, as long as He is in the boat with us (as long as He
is in our lives).
8) They marveled, as we are to marvel because Jesus Christ, the Son of God, who lives in us, has the power to overcome all
created things.
9) We are to respond to the storms of life in faith. Faith that God will deliver us.
In fact storms are a fact of life. We ourselves experience storms. When going through a storm, we may feel helpless because
the circumstances are out of our control. The initial desire may be to try restore control in order to feel a sense of comfort
again. However we cannot control every situation, and the only way we can have a truly lasting peace is to let go-and let God.
There is no doubt that South Africa is facing a multitude of storms at present, such as: high fuel costs, inflation, increasing
interest rates, volatile stock markets, power cuts, crime, Zimbabwean illegal immigation, governmental power struggles,
family breakdowns, breakdown in social/family values. It is easy to get negative over such issues and become despondent. We
may also end up speaking about such issues and becoming a part of the anti-SA evangelical brigade. However we must guard
against this mindset. When we see the ‘boat’ sinking, we should not fear and panic, but rather look to the promises of God,
and cast your cares upon Him. Speak instead these promises over your lives and over the country.
Below are some of God’s promises which we should verbally confess over our lives as often as we can….
Psalm 23 v4
4
Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil; For You are with me; Your rod and Your
staff, they comfort me.
 Even though we face death in the face, we are to fear no evil. The crime situation in South Africa is a case in point.
See Psalm 91 below.
 Jesus is the Good Shepherd and we are the sheep. The rod protects us (it is a weapon), and the staff guides us
(showing us the direction to take).
 God is with us Romans 8v31 What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us?.
 The Creator of heaven and earth, to Whom all knees will bow and all tongues confess, is with us. Philippians 2 v9-11
9
Therefore God also has highly exalted Him and given Him the name which is above every name, 10
that at the name of
Jesus every knee should bow, of those in heaven, and of those on earth, and of those under the earth, 11
and that every
tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

2. Psalm 3
1
LORD, how they have increased who trouble me! Many are they who rise up against me. 2
Many are they who say of me,
“There is no help for him in God.” Selah 3
But You, O LORD, are a shield for me, My glory and the One who lifts up my head.
4
I cried to the LORD with my voice, And He heard me from His holy hill. Selah 5
I lay down and slept; I awoke, for the LORD
sustained me. 6
I will not be afraid of ten thousands of people Who have set themselves against me all around. 7
Arise, O LORD;
Save me, O my God! For You have struck all my enemies on the cheekbone; You have broken the teeth of the ungodly. 8
Salvation belongs to the LORD. Your blessing is upon Your people. Selah
 God defends us – He is our shield
 God hears our prayers
 God sustains us – He is our provision, our portion.
 God destroys our enemies
 God’s blessing is upon His people – those who are called by His name – those born again.
Psalm 91
1
He who dwells in the secret place of the Most High Shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty. 2
I will say of the LORD,
“He is my refuge and my fortress; My God, in Him I will trust.” 3
Surely He shall deliver you from the snare of the fowler
And from the perilous pestilence. 4
He shall cover you with His feathers, And under His wings you shall take refuge; His truth
shall be your shield and buckler. 5
You shall not be afraid of the terror by night, Nor of the arrow that flies by day, 6
Nor of the
pestilence that walks in darkness, Nor of the destruction that lays waste at noonday. 7
A thousand may fall at your side, And
ten thousand at your right hand; But it shall not come near you. 8
Only with your eyes shall you look, And see the reward of
the wicked. 9
Because you have made the LORD, who is my refuge, Even the Most High, your dwelling place, 10
No evil shall
befall you, Nor shall any plague come near your dwelling; 11
For He shall give His angels charge over you, To keep you in all
your ways. 12
In their hands they shall bear you up, Lest you dash your foot against a stone. 13
You shall tread upon the lion
and the cobra, The young lion and the serpent you shall trample underfoot. 14
“Because he has set his love upon Me,
therefore I will deliver him; I will set him on high, because he has known My name. 15
He shall call upon Me, and I will
answer him; I will be with him in trouble; I will deliver him and honor him. 16
With long life I will satisfy him, And show him
My salvation.”
 There can be no more profound statement than Psalm 91 about God’s protection and deliverance, to those who:
(a) trust Him; (b) love Him; (c) know His Name; (d) Call upon Him; (e) Make Him their dwelling place (abide in
Him)
Why do we have storms?
a) Storms test your faith and builds patience
James 1 v2-3 2
My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, 3
knowing that the testing of your faith produces
patience.
b) Storms build character and hope
Romans 5 v3-4 3
And not only that, but we also glory in tribulations, knowing that tribulation produces perseverance; 4
and
perseverance, character; and character, hope.
c) Storms reveal our foundation
Matthew 7 v24-27 24
“Therefore whoever hears these sayings of Mine, and does them, I will liken him to a wise man who
built his house on the rock: 25
“and the rain descended, the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house; and it did
not fall, for it was founded on the rock. 26
“But everyone who hears these sayings of Mine, and does not do them, will be like a
foolish man who built his house on the sand: 27
“and the rain descended, the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that
house; and it fell. And great was its fall.”
d) Enduring storms help us to comfort others
2 Corinthians 1 v3-4 3
Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort,
4
who comforts us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort those who are in any trouble, with the comfort with
which we ourselves are comforted by God.

3. 1) bones of righteous not broken
2) Psalm 34
3) Psalm 107
4) Psalm 103
Do not worry…..about tomorrow, etc.
Some warfare prayers we can pray….
1) Put on the whole armour of God….
2) Plead the blood of Jesus
3) Testify
4) Love God, and love others.
What do the storms of life do?
1) They build us up, build our resilience, build our character. – when all is said and done, to stand.
2) We learn from them, and in turn can help others in similar situations. A word of encouragement.
Sown among thorns