When Jesus Sleeps in the Boat: A Journey Through Faith and Fear in the storm

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Youth Leader, Praise Dance Leader, Teacher, Musician, Worshipper, Department Head… Whatever the title, I grabbed it. I wanted God to not forget His servant. As I wrestled with chronic migraines, vertigo and more symptoms than I could count. I prayed for healing and strength to return to my body, I began to wonder: What did I do wrong to bring this on? I thought I did everything “right.”

I stayed persistent in prayer, but over time, my prayers began to wane. I didn’t feel things were getting better, and I found myself asking, “Jesus, where are You?” Tears streamed down my face when my husband came to speak to me. He said, “You should consider reading the story of Jesus on the boat and see what you can learn from it.” I wasn’t immediately up for the challenge. I cried more. Days passed. I was brokenhearted. Hysterical. But eventually, I decided to open my Bible and read the story again—this time hoping to see something new. I was already on my own boat as the vertigo persisted. I walked oddly and slowly as the world around me shifted left and right with every step barely able to hold on.

During this season, for the first time in a long time, I experienced a real test of faith—one that forced me to confront the hardest part of faith: trust and silence. It wasn’t that I didn’t believe anymore, I was lost and confused. In one instance I wasn’t hearing God, then when I thought I did, I was a skeptic to every good thing I heard. "Was that really Him?"I wondered. I was a seasoned veteran. A sheep. I should know His voice—I’d been walking with the Lord since I was nine. How could I feel so far, so unheard?

I was afraid. Troubled. I feared my prayers wouldn’t be answered. Every negative thought flooded my mind. "Where is Jesus?" I asked. "Does He see my tears? Does He know my hurt? Where is my Superman to the rescue? I know He can fix this, I know He can fix me".

Finally, I turned to the story—Jesus calming the storm.

The Story: Jesus Calms the Storm

While in a boat, a life-threatening storm hits, and Jesus is asleep. The disciples panic and wake Him, asking if He really intends to let them die. I understood their reaction—“Hello?! Do you not feel the crashing of the waves?” Jesus sleeping felt like a disregard for their suffering.

But these weren’t ordinary men. These were His disciples. They knew what He was capable of. Maybe the vulnerability of Jesus’ tired body made Him seem just like them. Still, they knew enough to run to Him. Yet, they mistook His sleep for a lack of concern."Instead of looking at Jesus' reaction to their situation, the disciples allowed their situation to dictate their actions."

Have you ever gone through something and wondered where Jesus was? It’s hard enough to discern His voice—but it’s even harder when you’re suffering and questioning whether He’s present at all. That’s when we often react like the disciples—frantic.

What I Learned from the Storm

(Matthew 8:23–27, Mark 4:35–41, Luke 8:22–25)

1. We’re Headed Somewhere

Matthew 8:23 – "Then he got into the boat and his disciples followed him."

Luke 8:22 – “One day Jesus said to his disciples, “Let us go over to the other side of the lake.” So they got into a boat and set out."

Following Jesus doesn’t mean we avoid storms—it may mean we’re led into them. The disciples were going somewhere. Just like the Holy Spirit led Jesus into the wilderness to be tempted, I was led into this storm for a reason. So… where was this storm taking me?

2. Jesus Is at Peace and Resting in My Storm

Matthew 8:24 -Suddenly a furious storm came up on the lake, so that the waves swept over the boat. But Jesus was sleeping.

Luke 8:23 -As they sailed, he fell asleep…

Jesus knew what was ahead even if I didn't. If I am to imitate Christ, His rest should comfort me. Rather than thinking, “How dare He sleep?” I should praise Him for bringing Himself; His peace into my storm.

3. He Isn’t Intimidated by the Storm

Matthew 8:26 –"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.

Mark 4:40 - "He said to his disciples, “Why are you so afraid? Do you still have no faith?”

Jesus isn't afraid of what has arrived enough so to sleep through it. I may be overwhelmed, but Jesus isn’t. My confidence should be in His presence, not in the absence of problems. He wants me to find strength in knowing He is always with me rather than fear thinking He isn't.

Mark 4:40

4. Jesus Feels My Storm More Than I Do

Mark 4:38 – “Jesus was in the stern, sleeping on a cushion…”

The stern's shape and design significantly impact the boat's performance influencing speed, stability, and how it handles waves. The stern is a vital and vulnerable part of a boat—less stable, more exposed. Jesus chose to rest there- the place of most influence. If the boat went down, He’d go first. He’s not distant. He’s more in the storm than I am. He literally has my back. Risking His life before my own.

5. How I Speak to Him Reflects How I See Him

The disciples came to Jesus differently in each Gospel:

1. Matthew - "Lord save us! We're going to drown!"

(Request + Doubt)

2. Mark - “Teacher, don’t you care if we drown?”

(Questioned + guilt)

3. Luke - "Master, Master we are going to drown."

(Doubt + fear)

Each cry held fear, guilt, or doubt. No matter how it was phrased the disciples assured drowning was inevitable. I’ve prayed the same way: “Please I beg you rescue me” “Save me—I’m falling.” But I’m learning to speak to my storm about Jesus, not just to Jesus about my storm. Sometimes, like the disciples, I show little faith. But I have thus began changing my language towards Jesus.

6. I’m Not Going to Die

The enemy has a way of painting a picture of death in the places of the most difficult trials and trys to convince us that our pain is final. He tried it with the disciples too. Thoughts of hope and redemption are usually far from the mind. Because of my many symptoms I felt this way But some storms are not unto death. I had to remind myself again and again:

“I will not die but live.” (Psalm 118:17)

Yes, the waves hit. But Jesus was closer than death—and I did not die.

7. Everything Obeys Him

Mark 4:41 – “Who is this? Even the wind and the waves obey him!”

The disciples had seen miracles—but still underestimated Him. I’ve done the same. I know what He can do, but I still box Him in. To the point of surprise. The disciples are asking themselves "who is this"? Familiarity can create limitations in our minds. I know what Jesus can do but, do I truly understand to what extent. That night, Jesus revealed not just healing power—but sovereign authority over nature itself.

I Pray: “God, may I not box you in and I pray to witness your authority over all my problems so that the storm of my life may also obey you."

💬 Final Thoughts

Jesus teaches me that storms are meant to be endured, not escaped. The disciples had no option to go back or stop. They moved forward—with Him. His strength is to help, heal, lead and provide for me through the storm, not just out of it. To speak peace to my chaos. He is near to what I’m going through. Though my feelings clouded my judgment, Jesus began to calm me in the storm.

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