It's NOT gonna be a Bright, Sunshiney Day

Mark 4:35-41
Jesus Calms the Storm

That day when evening came, he said to his disciples, "Let us go over to the other side." Leaving the crowd behind, they took him along, just as he was, in the boat. There were also other boats with him. A furious squall came up, and the waves broke over the boat, so that it was nearly swamped. Jesus was in the stern, sleeping on a cushion. The disciples woke him and said to him, "Teacher, don't you care if we drown?" He got up, rebuked the wind and said to the waves, "Quiet! Be still!" Then the wind died down and it was completely calm. He said to his disciples, "Why are you so afraid? Do you still have no faith?" They were terrified and asked each other, "Who is this? Even the wind and the waves obey him!" (NIV)

We often fear in our lives. We often think that Jesus is sleeping, and is going to keep on sleeping while we drown. This anecdote is certainly there to support Jesus' claims of Deity, but for those of us who already have confessed that, it is more. It is a reminder that Christ really does have power. We acknowledge that he can change the weather, but we forget that he brought the storm in the first place. Let's ask ourselves, "Why is this storm here?" Perhaps there's a purpose for it. Instead of asking for God to simply take away our struggles, shouldn't we first ask what we're supposed to learn from it? I'm not saying if your sick, don't pray for healing, or if your boss is a jerk, don't pray for their attitude. I am saying that the prayer should not exclude requests for the strength to learn the lessons God has in the situation. Christ said "If there is any way, let this cup pass from me, but NOT MY WILL."