“… Take heart; it is I. Do not be afraid.” Mark 6:50b (ESV)
My first time visiting the state of Georgia was before we had smartphones and instant weather reports. As I drove out to hike a mountain, local news warned of intermittent showers.
But after parking, I realized I’d forgotten my rain gear. Should I leave? The sun was shining. Armed with waterproof hiking boots and a baseball cap, I figured, I’ll be fine.
Hours later, as I trekked through thick woods, it started sprinkling. Then rain poured in sheets, coming down sideways. Storm clouds quickly moved in, darkening the sky. Gusts of wind howled. Claps of explosive thunder boomed as lightning discharged around me in ominous, intense flashes like strobe lights.
I was scared and disoriented. It got so dark I couldn’t see the trail well without a flashlight or a map. There I stood, cold and soaked through in the middle of a thunderstorm.
That’s how life’s “storms” often are too. Troubling circumstances happen suddenly. We feel helpless, unsure what to do — our world seemingly spinning out of control.
The truth is we aren’t in control. But God is.
Jesus stands in our confusion and whispers, Take My hand. I will carry you through. I am with you. I will be your peace.
Sometimes the only way out is letting Jesus take us through the storm — and finding that His peace will carry us better than any plan.
Once, Jesus was alone on a mountain praying after sending His disciples ahead of Him into the Sea of Galilee. They, too, met a storm (Mark 6:45-48). Why would Jesus send them on a journey knowing they’d encounter bad weather?
Jesus saw His friends straining at the oars, and He came to them: “Immediately he spoke to them and said, ‘Take heart; it is I. Do not be afraid’” (Mark 6:50b).
Peter attempted to walk to Jesus on the water but sank because he feared the wind’s strength. “Jesus immediately reached out his hand and took hold of him,” Matthew 14:31 tells us (ESV). Then Jesus got into the boat, and the wind stopped.
Jesus is with us in every storm and calms us with His promises. He moves us from having “head knowledge” to personally experiencing the powerful peace of His presence. Because peace, after all, is a person.
God has a plan in the storms of life, but we don’t always know what it is. That’s the part that requires faith. Jesus offers His hand instead of a map.
Holding on to Him means letting go of Plan A, B, or C. You can take it one day at a time — and remember you’re not alone. Reach out for help, and surround yourself with friends to support you.
Jesus sees you. He is with you. And even if He doesn’t calm the winds, He will carry you through.
Dear Jesus, take my hand. Be my peace. Never let me go. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.
Our First 5 study of Mark begins this Monday, May 18 — and there’s still time for you to join us. All throughout the Gospel of Mark, we see Jesus stepped into moments that felt chaotic, uncertain, and overwhelming. He met people when their faith felt fragile, when situations seemed impossible, and when they didn't know what to do next. Yet through it all, one truth is clear: You don’t have to hold everything together — because the King holds you. If you want to start the study with us on Monday, now is the time to grab your study guide. When you order your copy of the Mark study guide today, we’ll send you the digital download of the first two weeks so you can jump in immediately and not miss a moment of what God wants to speak. Then you can download the First 5 app and open the Gospel of Mark with thousands of women as the study begins on May 18. We can’t wait to dive into God’s Word together!
Find your joy with Jesus — embrace renewal with the FREE “Find Your Joy with Jesus: A 4-Day Devotional” by bestselling author and Soul Care Mentor Bonnie Gray. Join us on this uplifting journey to prioritize self-care the Jesus way. Download your free devotional here.
Isaiah 46:4, “I will be the same until your old age, and I will bear you up … I have made you, and I will carry you; I will bear and rescue you” (CSB).
What helps you experience God’s peace? Share with us in the comments!
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