Reactions to Storms

In the Gospels, we read about a time when Jesus and His Apostles were in a boat on the water and a storm hit:

One day he got into a boat with his disciples, and he said to them, “Let us go across to the other side of the lake.” So they set out, and as they sailed he fell asleep. And a storm of wind came down on the lake, and they were filling with water, and were in danger. And they went and woke him, saying, “Master, Master, we are perishing!” And he awoke and rebuked the wind and the raging waves; and they ceased, and there was a calm. He said to them, “Where is your faith?” And they were afraid, and they marveled, saying to one another, “Who then is this, that he commands even wind and water, and they obey him?”

Luke 8:22-25

The Lord of Creation

The main purpose of this incident in the Gospels is to help reveal Jesus’ identity as the incarnate Lord:

Then they cried to the Lord in their trouble,
    and he delivered them from their distress;
he made the storm be still,
    and the waves of the sea were hushed.

Psalm 107:28-29

Reactions to Calamity

Below is the picture I bought several years ago of that same Gospel scene:

What I like about this picture is that it shows the three different kinds of reaction we have when we encounter difficulties…

1. Fear and inaction
   In the picture, this is represented by St. John cowering in the corner of the boat, covering himself in his cloak.
   
2. Indignation and and supplication.
   We don’t understand why we are undergoing this storm, so we cry out to God to do something. After all, doesn’t He care about us? In the picture, this is represented by St. Peter pleading with Jesus.
   
3. Resting in the Father’s Goodness
   The final kind of reaction is exemplified by Jesus.

I kept this above my bed for years, just to remind myself that there are different ways to respond when disaster strikes. It is up to me which one I choose.

Are you more like John, Peter or Jesus when you encounter a storm in your life?