Eyes of Faith
Without warning, a furious storm came up on the lake, so that the waves swept over the boat. But Jesus was sleeping.
The disciples went and woke him, saying, “Lord, save us! We’re going to drown!”
He replied, “You of little faith, why are you so afraid?” Then he got up and rebuked the winds and the waves, and it was completely calm Matt 8:24-26.
This story of the storm is one that I love. Part of it is relating to the disciples’ fear when threatening circumstances like this storm come up in my own life, and part of it is complete awe at Jesus, that “even the winds and the waves obey Him” Matt.8:27 – what a God we serve! But today I learnt another way to look at this story, and it has really inspired me.
It’s in the way that Jesus responds to the disciples.
The first thing He says to them as He hears the terror in their voices, and the anguish in their eyes is, “you of little faith.”
He speaks to their fear response, and asks them “why are you so afraid?”
I don’t know about you, but I stand corrected as much as the disciples in this story, because I know that my response in the face of something painful or hard is so often the same – one of little faith.
I look at the situation for what it is, and try with all my reasoning and resources to figure out the best way to respond. I might pray about it with one breath, but with the very next I am back to the fretting. Why do I so easily forget that because I know and love the Living God, I am called to a different, better, more exciting way of life? I am called to a life of faith in Him.
The God for Whom all things are possible Matt. 19:26.
The thing is we are to place more trust in what God says to us about our circumstances than the way they might seem to us on the surface. We live by faith, Scripture says, not by sight 2 Cor.5:7.
What is that Word God has spoken to you about that situation in your life? What verse from the Bible were you holding on to, that you have since forgotten about? Faith means we are to be certain of the things we do not yet see, Hebrews 11:1 says. Let’s stir up our faith again, trusting God more than our circumstances. Really trusting Him. This God Who commands the very elements to be stilled, can do anything in our lives according His will.
And He is faithful.
*The photo is of one of Mum’s ornaments that I love. Also, all italics in the post are mine 
This is great birgit, any chance of you being around on thursday to share?
Herein lies the skill we are to be ever perfecting with the aid of the Lord. He didn’t rebuke the fact that they took action. He rebuked their choice of action. God designed us to be thinking, reasoning and figuring things out. So we mustn’t fall prey to the temptation to be passive and “just let God handle it all”. Rather we must press in confidently to seek help at His throne of grace that we might take action the way that He wants us to. Yes, in faith. Yes, trusting His. Yes, relying on His power. But at the same time not sitting on our lollies resigned and frozen. I often wonder about this verse. Would Christ have preferred that the disciples taken authority over the storm? To answer your question at the end of the post I think that Lord is asking me to be strategic and purposeful in my prayers and actions.
Funny you should ask that particular question. “Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God,” 1 Thess. 5:16-18. It just dawned on me yesterday – more clearly than ever – that we are to do all three simultaneously.
Thanks Birgit, timely reminder! God is good, an ever present help in our times of trouble. Learning to live by faith, wow! Blessings
Thank you. Wonderful!
I keep exhorting myself, “Stay in the moment.” When I start thinking of tomorrow, next week or ten years from now…I get scared. The circumstances at this moment are calm enough that I can stop and write a comment, read some blogs, drink a glass of water. I find when I live in the moment I don’t get so fearful.
Now…just remembering to do it moment by moment by moment…sheesh!
And it’s biblical…don’t think about tomorrow, each day has enough trouble of its own…
Thanks, Birg!
Hi Mike, great to hear from you. I’ll follow up with you about Thursday
Lots of blessings to you.
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Hi @ngie, thanks for your reply with all these excellent points! That so often it is a case of taking action in faith and seeing God at work, very true and very encouraging. I must admit, that what I had in mind as I wrote this were the circumstances which God alone is able to change – conversions of the human heart or circumstances where all practical solutions are exhausted and all hope seems lost – it fills me with awe in those time when I hear stories of how God has done the seemingly impossible!
In both cases, I find it so inspiring to see the way that God is at work in situations when we are unmoved in our trust in Him 
Great question about whether Christ would have preferred the disciples to have taken authority over the storm. Our minister expressed the same question in a talk I heard recently, and likewise, whether Jesus would have preferred the disciples to feed the five thousand, because initially He said to them “You give them something to eat” Matt.16:14. Amazing what God can do through us as we act with faith in these ways, thank you for this great point! Love and blessings.
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Wow, Hope, what an awesome Word from God. I’ve just been sitting here re-reading that verse. That it is the will of God for us to be always rejoicing, always praying, and always expressing our gratitude to Him. So often I can wonder at God about His will in my life, and right there is one key part of it! I think I’ll have my hands quite full working on that one just there, ha, ha
What an inspiring verse God has given you, and it’s really helped me today too! Thank you, and love to you.
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Laura, I love that thought – God – our ever present help in trouble. I am so comforted by the knowledge of His sovereignty, and that He holds each of us in the palm of His hand, and loves us so, so much. May He continue to fill you with all hope and grace, and continue to pour out more of His Spirit on you and Ray, lots of love xo
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Oh yay! Hi Roxx! I was thinking of you recently, hope you’re well xo
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This is so true Michelle. Although I don’t know the circumstances you’re facing, I do relate to the feelings of worry, fear and anxiety that can creep in when we wonder at how certain things might turn out. And it’s such a great principle from Scripture that you mention here, that Jesus guides us to keep our focus on the day at hand trusting Him with the rest, love that
, what great encouragement! Lots of love to you xo
I’ve been thinking about this the whole week Birgit. I couldn’t stop thinking that this is how God wants us to think of Him, not in unbelief and terror of our lives, but with a quiet knowledge and faith that everthing is going to be ok. Knowing that He is control. It has challenged me so much this week with how I look at things and if I cry out to God, is it in faith or fear? And I think that the more we get to know Him as a father, a faithful father who cares for His children, but also as an Almighty God who holds the whole world in His hand and knows every hair on our head, and believe this, then we will be able to rest confidently in Him in every situation and bring glory to His name. Thank you Birgit:)
I really know what you mean, Rain. It is something that seems so foundational to our faith, that God is completely in control, that He is good, and that we can trust Him – no matter what – and yet, so often I find myself responding with worry or doubt when it comes to hard situations. I agree with you, that the more we grow in our knowledge and experience of His faithfulness as our Father (and in my case – remind myself of this!
) the more likely it is we will feel confident and peaceful when the storms come. Lots of love to you.