Finding your calm
Who Is Your Calm?
I don't consider myself a stressful person. Arrogantly, I used to remark to God that He could put the weight of life on me because I could handle it. Until my arrogance came crashing down in 2020.
My wife was dealing with postpartum depression, the church was closed, ministry was busy, and homeschooling was in full effect. I lacked the capacity to deal with all the spinning plates, and for the first time in a long time, I was stressed. Not just stressed, but distressed to the max.
Have you ever noticed how quickly stress can take over your life? One difficult conversation, one unexpected bill, one disappointing diagnosis, or one unanswered prayer can make everything feel overwhelming. And when peace disappears, we often run to whatever promises to make us feel better—even if it only works temporarily.
In Mark 6, the disciples are exhausted, battling strong winds, and struggling to reach the other side. They had obeyed Jesus, yet obedience had not made their journey easy. Then, in the middle of the night, Jesus came walking toward them, and all they could think was, “This must be a ghost!” They screamed out in fear.
Jesus, being greeted by their fear rather than their faith, offered these words: “Take heart; it is I. Do not be afraid.”
Jesus revealed His presence in the middle of their distress.
Sometimes the greatest change God brings is not immediately changing your circumstances, but changing what His presence does to you while you are in them. The wind may still be blowing, but fear no longer has to control you. The journey may still require effort, but you no longer have to face it alone.
The closer we are to Christ, the more His presence changes how we experience life. When stress filled my life like an overflowing cup of water, God gave me Psalm 23—not just to get me through, but to bring the calm I needed through the assurance that He was close to me.
Today, ask God to remind you that He is near. The Messiah who stepped into humanity to be God with us, not just God over us. Open His Word when anxiety begins speaking loudly. Pray honestly instead of numbing what you feel.
You may still have to row to the other side, but you do not have to row without Him.
Prayer: Jesus, when fear rises and life feels overwhelming, remind me that Your presence is greater than my circumstances and that You are near. Be my calm, my strength, and my confidence today and every day. In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.