“That day when evening came, he said to his disciples, ‘Let us go over to the other side.’ Leaving the crowd behind, they took him along, just as he was, in the boat. There were also other boats with him. A furious squall came up, and the waves broke over the boat, so that it was nearly swamped. Jesus was in the stern, sleeping on a cushion. The disciples woke him and said to him, ‘Teacher, don’t you care if we drown?’ He got up, rebuked the wind and said to the waves, ‘Quiet! Be still!’ Then the wind died down and it was completely calm. He said to his disciples, ‘Why are you so afraid? Do you still have no faith?’ They were terrified and asked each other, ‘Who is this? Even the wind and the waves obey him!'” —Mark 4:35–41
The other night while I slept I tossed about in my bed as the Holy Spirit began to show me something. Suddenly I was in the boat. I could see as the wind and waves began to swell up around the boat tossing it about. The sky was dark. It was difficult to see anything. Fear was present and just as the waves and wind had surrounded the boat and seemed to be taking over so fear surrounded the hearts of the men (and women) who were aboard and began taking over.
Then I saw Jesus.
Sleeping.
At the stern of the ship.
The storm carried on and the wind grew stronger and stronger. The boat tossed about violently. Fear was now gripping the hearts.
Then the Holy Spirit began speaking to me. He said,
“The vessel Jesus was in may have been tossed about by the wind and waves but He remained at peace.
Sturdy.
Solid.
Anchored.
Today, you are His vessel.
And this is a picture of what happens now within your heart… the heart of the believer.
Jesus lives in you and remains solid. Sturdy. He’s there at your stabilizing point, your heart. And regardless of how much you are tossed about by the storms of life Christ is in you, anchored to the Father. You need not be afraid.”
Then I woke up. I fumbled around for my phone so I could write all of this down. I was blown away by this thought. Why had I not read this portion of scripture in this way in the past? What a beautiful picture.
When we are born again we give Jesus full reign of our heart (Gal. 2:20). This is now where He dwells. Your heart becomes His home (Eph. 3:17). And just as He was solid, steady, sturdy and anchored in the Father when He walked the earth so He remains as He makes His home in your heart.
Look at what happened when the disciples confessed their fear to the Lord. Jesus stood up. Rebuked the storm. And then He said to His disciples,
“Why are you so afraid? Do you still have no faith?” (Mk 4:41)
I believe He would ask the same of us today.
Why are you so afraid?
Do you still have no faith??
Jesus is in you now calming the storms… calming your fears… He speaks through you so when fear tries to swell up around your heart allow the voice of Christ in you, who is GREATER than the voices of the world, to speak firmly to those waves of fear, “Quiet! Be still!”
Its time we trust the Lord more friend. It’s time we cast all our cares on Him. He died to carry our fear, our shame, our guilt, and our pain for us so that we could live a life reflective of the peace dwelling within our hearts. Anchored in Christ Jesus, anchored in the Father, and anchored in faith.
“Because the God who said, Out of darkness light shall shine, is the One who shined in our hearts to illuminate the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ. But we have this treasure in earthen vessels that the excellency of the power may be of God and not out of us.”—2 Corinthians 4:6-7
This Week’s Challenge: Everyday realize that Christ Jesus is right there… in your heart… anchored to the Father. Let faith arise with in you. Command fear to leave you. Jesus is the anchor for your soul. Thank Him for the peace that dwells in your heart and begin to declare each and every day, especially as you sense those storm clouds approaching, Quiet! Be still! In the Name of Jesus.
I love you,
Read last week’s devotional, When You’re Discouraged Because Others Won’t Listen, by clicking HERE.
