Another violent storm swept across the Sea of Galilee, and the disciples’ boat was in the throes of destruction again. Waves were crashing over the hull, and the ship was taking on water. Yet Jesus is sound asleep in the stern of the boat (Mark 4:38). Did you know this is the only reference in the Bible to Jesus sleeping? That’s no coincidence. He was asleep during the storm to make a point.  Consider the stern was the deepest position in the boat. At the height of the storm, Jesus was at the lowest point, resting. 

Imagine Jesus sleeping as He’s soaked, and the boat is hurled from one side to the other. Apart from anesthesia, it’s impracticable to sleep under those conditions unless God calms you so much you can. He could have snoozed through the entire storm if his followers hadn’t awakened Him.

This was not the ordinary Galilean storm. It was too big for Peter and his crew to handle, and it appeared God wasn’t in control.  The disciples shook Jesus and cried, “Master, don’t you care that we’re going to drown?” Jesus stepped to the helm and ordered the choppy waves to be still and the gale-force winds to a peaceful breeze, which showed He was in charge of the storm. He proved that He was in command of their circumstances, regardless if He was asleep or awake. 

The disciples were astonished that He could quiet the storm by merely speaking words. And He can soothe your anxieties by whispering words to your soul. Can you hear Him whispering those words to your heart? “Peace, be still. Do not be troubled. Do not be afraid.”

Sleeping in the storm like Jesus is impossible until you rest in the reality that God is sovereignly in control, even when your boat is overflowing with water. God is still with you, even if He seems to be asleep and oblivious. If the Lord doesn’t calm the storm you are facing, He will settle you in the storm.  Either way, he removes the fear in your life.