“Have you ever felt that God was asleep?

Perhaps you prayed for healing, but the sickness remained. You prayed for peace in your family, but the misunderstandings continued. You worked hard and tried to do what was right, yet problems kept coming. At times like these, we may quietly ask, “Lord, where are You? Do You not care?”

That is exactly how the disciples felt in today’s Gospel. They were not on the wrong boat. They were with Jesus. They were doing exactly what He asked them to do. Yet a violent storm arose.

This reminds us of an important truth: following Jesus does not exempt us from life’s storms. Christians also experience sickness, financial difficulties, disappointments, and grief.

The difference is this: we do not face them alone.

Notice what the disciples did. They did not jump out of the boat. They did not abandon Jesus. They ran to Him and cried out, “Lord, save us!” That is always the best prayer we can make.

Sometimes we think faith means never being afraid. It doesn’t. Even the apostles were afraid. Faith means bringing our fears to Jesus instead of allowing our fears to pull us away from Him.

There is another beautiful lesson in this Gospel. Jesus first calmed the disciples before He calmed the sea. He said, “Why are you terrified, O you of little faith?” Only afterward did He rebuke the wind and the waves.

Often, God wants to calm our hearts before He changes our circumstances. Sometimes the storm outside continues for a while, but if Christ gives us peace within, we discover that we have the strength to keep going.

I remember a story about a father teaching his son to ride a bicycle. The boy was frightened and kept saying, “Dad, don’t let go!” The father smiled and said, “I’m right here.” The son still wobbled a little, but because he knew his father was beside him, he found the courage to keep pedaling.

That is what Jesus says to us today: “I’m right here.”

The storms may not disappear immediately. The waves may still be high. But if Jesus is in our boat, we have every reason to hope.

So whenever life becomes difficult, don’t ask first, “How big is my storm?” Instead ask, “Who is in my boat?” If Christ is with us, no storm is greater than His love, no wave is stronger than His power, and no darkness can overcome His light.”