Even So...what?

 

Even so….what?

          Even if the kids are screaming all. day. long.

          Even if my boss is being unreasonable

          Even if traffic is backed up three miles

          Even if my husband is not meeting my expectations

          Even if my child is going down the wrong path

          Even if life has beaten me up, again

          Even if it seems freedom is being eroded

          Even if it seems like God has abandoned me

Even so, it is well with my Soul.

How can that possibly be, you might wonder. How can it be well if my whole world is crumbling around me?

In Matthew 4: 35-41, we read that Jesus and the disciples were crossing the Sea of Galilee when a storm sprang up. It was vicious; the waves were so high they crashed over the sides of the fishing boat. The wind tossed them like a cork on a pond. The boat was filling faster than the disciples could bail out the water. These experienced fishermen were afraid. They were watching the storm rage all around them – there was no way out; they were doomed.

Then one of them noticed Jesus was asleep in the bow of the boat. They had to wake Him up! The bow is the narrowest place in a boat, it is usually the place that gets buffeted and bounced the most, but there was Jesus, asleep as if nothing was happening. I am imaging Jesus sitting up and looking around, not at the storm but at the disciples. “What is wrong?” He could have asked. “Master, we are going to die! Don’t you care?” the disciples were frightened to death. They saw no hope, no way out of their situation. Then Jesus looked at the raging storm. Only then did He tell the waves to calm and the wind to stop. And they obeyed!

Jesus wondered why His followers were so afraid, but they did not really know Him. Do you know Him? Is Jesus your port in the storm? Do you wait until your ship is sinking to ask for His help? The sea was so calm after Jesus rebuked the storm that the disciples probably had to row to shore. Their job was not over, but the way was peaceful and calm.

Lord Jesus, Help me to see you amid the storms in my life. When the kids are going crazy - when my boss is unreasonable -  when my marriage is strained. You are with me even when I cannot feel you working. Help me to remember that you are the Master of all the storms of my life. You are my protection; You alone can bring me to a place of peace and safety. Nothing can surprise You, Jesus. You are my help in the very time of trouble. 

In the Peaceful name of Jesus I pray, Amen.