There are storms that roar in which I have no control, storms that roar like they have permission. Winds that arrive without warning, and my spirit asks quietly, “Lord… am I still safe?”
But lately, I’ve been learning something in those moments, something I don’t think I could learn any other way. I hear a truth echo in every cell of my body:
When Jesus is in the boat, the storm can’t win.
And isn’t it something, the disciples had Him in the boat and still panicked? Just like us. Even with Him present, we stare at waves instead of His peace.
Jesus isn’t just near the storm, He’s inside it with me. He doesn’t shout directions from the shore. He climbs in. He sits beside me. He rests where the waves slam. He remains unshaken by the waters that terrify us.
He doesn’t just promise peace. He is peace.
And this is the part I keep learning over and over: every storm becomes a classroom. A place of learning. Not punishment. Never punishment. Storms serve a purpose, even the violent ones.
The peace of God isn’t logical. Philippians 4:7 invites us into something we can’t explain: “The peace of God, which surpasses all understanding…”
Not learned peace.
Not practiced peace.
Not earned peace.
Not therapy peace.
Holy peace.
And when the storm ends… you come out different.
Not destroyed, matured.
Not weakened, strengthened.
Not doubtful, more faithful than before.
Storms don’t leave you the same…
and thank God for that.
And just like Rembrandt, I find myself in the painting,
forgetting at times that Jesus is already in the boat.

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