When Following Jesus Gets Scary

What to Do When You Can't See Jesus in the Storm

Have you ever looked back at a moment when God clearly came through for you, only to find yourself in a similar situation wondering where He went? That tension is real, and it's exactly what the disciples faced in Matthew 14. This passage has something important to say about faith, focus, and what it means to trust Jesus when life feels overwhelming.

Have You Ever Said, "God, I Know What You Did Last Time, But Where Are You Now?"

Maybe last time, a friend called at just the right moment. Maybe a check arrived for the exact amount you needed. Maybe a door opened and God's guidance was undeniable. And now you're in a similar storm, asking the same question all over again.

The disciples knew this feeling well. Back in Matthew 8, they were in a boat when a storm rolled in. Experienced fishermen thought it was the end. But Jesus was in the boat with them. He stood up, rebuked the wind and waves, and everything went calm. They looked at each other and asked, "What kind of man is this? Even the wind and the waves obey him."

Now they're in another boat. Another storm. And this time, Jesus is nowhere to be seen.

Who You Believe Jesus Is Determines What You'll Trust Him With

A.W. Tozer once wrote, "What comes into our minds when we think about God is the most important thing about us." That idea is worth sitting with. Because who you believe Jesus is will directly shape what you're willing to hand over to Him.

The disciples were still working this out. The first storm ended with a question. This second storm was going to give them the answer.

What Happens When Jesus Doesn't Immediately Calm the Storm?

Sometimes we're so focused on asking Jesus to stop the storm that we miss what He wants to show us in the middle of it. What if Jesus doesn't immediately stand up, rebuke the wind and waves, and restore calm? What does that mean?

It might mean He wants to teach us something deeper. Not just that He has authority over the storm, but that we can trust Him while we're still in it.

Faith isn't reckless. It's trusting that Jesus is enough. It's obeying when He says go, and continuing to trust Him when the wind and waves rise anyway.

The big idea is this: we can rise above what overwhelms us by keeping our faith in Jesus.

Walking Through Matthew 14: The Storm, the Silhouette, and the Step

Matthew 14:22-25 picks up immediately after Jesus feeds the 5,000. He sends the disciples across the lake while He goes up the mountain to pray. By the time night falls, the disciples are far from shore, exhausted, and fighting against the wind.

This storm is different from the one in Matthew 8. That storm brought immediate terror. This one brings a slower, grinding exhaustion. They've been rowing all night. They're not facing sudden danger. They're facing something persistent, something that just won't let up.

That kind of weariness is familiar to a lot of people:

The disciples are just praying for dawn. And then something catches their eye.

This description was AI Generated based on the sermon transcript.