After scrolling and seeing the picture of a lawn chair at the bottom of my friend’s pool, I curiously read the caption above her Facebook post.

“That was one crazy storm.”

Apparently, the night before the winds were strong enough to take down large branches and several trees in the area.

And blow my friend’s chair from her patio into her pool.

Casually, I made the comment that I had slept right through it.

But this is not always the case.

There are many times that I don’t sleep through the storms that blow through my life.

Sometimes, the force feels like it is enough to take me down.

My thoughts swirl around and it’s difficult to find my balance.

And like the chair at the bottom of the pool, I feel like I am going under.

On those days, I forget Who is in charge of the winds and the rain.

Despite knowing He is always with me, I start to focus on the storm instead of the Savior.

This is how the disciples responded when Jesus slept through a storm, even though He was with them.

“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 windstorm 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 winds and water, and they obey Him?” Luke 8: 22-25 (ESV)

Jesus, fully human and fully divine, understood what it was like to be caught in life’s storms.

As we start to read Matthew 14, we see Jesus removing Himself from others after He receives the news of John the Baptist’s death.

The loss of His friend.

Unspeakable grief.

And yet, in the midst of His own pain, Jesus had recognized the crowds who had followed Him to His place of solace were going through their own storms.

He understood their pain and had compassion on them.

He brought healing and hope, even when He was hurting.

“Now when Jesus heard this, He withdrew from there in a boat to a desolate place by Himself. But when the crowds heard it, they followed Him on foot from the towns. When He went ashore He saw a great crowd, and He had compassion on them and healed their sick.” 

Matthew 14: 13-14 (ESV)

And then if that were not enough, Jesus did more.

He fed the masses, both physically and spiritually.

“Now when it was evening, the disciples came to Him and said, “This is a desolate place, and the day is now over; send the crowds away to go into the villages and buy food for themselves.”  But Jesus said, “They need not go away; you give them something to eat.” They said to Him, “We have only five loaves here and two fish.” And He said, “Bring them here to me.” Then He ordered the crowds to sit down on the grass, and taking the five loaves and the two fish, He looked up to heaven and said a blessing. Then He broke the loaves and gave them to the disciples, and the disciples gave them to the crowds.  And they all ate and were satisfied. And they took up twelve baskets full of the broken pieces left over. And those who ate were about five thousand men, besides women and children.” Matthew 14:15-21 (ESV)

The story does not end there.  

After all of the miracles He had performed that day, Jesus took time alone to go pray.

The disciples, who were far off on the boat, witnessed yet another miracle of Jesus walking to them on the water.  

They did not immediately recognize Him, and were afraid.

“Immediately He made the disciples get into the boat and go before Him to the other side, while He dismissed the crowds. And after He had dismissed the crowds, He went up on the mountain by Himself to pray. When evening came, He was there alone, but the boat by this time was a long way from the land, beaten by the waves, for the wind was against them. And in the fourth watch of the night He came to them, walking on the sea. But when the disciples saw Him walking on the sea, they were terrified, and said, “It is a ghost!” and they cried out in fear.

But immediately Jesus spoke to them, saying, “Take heart; it is I. Do not be afraid.”  

Matthew 14: 22-27 (ESV)

Just like the disciples, sometimes I do not recognize Him, even when He is close.

And like Peter, I forget my faith when He calls me to take the next step.

I take my focus off of Him.

“And Peter answered Him, “Lord, if it is you, command me to come to you on the water.” 

He said, “Come.” So Peter got out of the boat and walked on the water and came to Jesus. 

But when he saw the wind, he was afraid, and beginning to sink he cried out, “Lord, save me.” Jesus immediately reached out His hand and took hold of him, saying to him, “O you of little faith, why did you doubt?”  And when they got into the boat, the wind ceased. 

And those in the boat worshiped Him, saying, “Truly you are the Son of God.”  

Matthew 14: 28-33(ESV)

Friends, I do not know what storms are blowing through your lives right now.

You may feel like you are sinking.

But Jesus understands your struggles.

He has compassion for you.

Don’t take your focus off of Him.

He is with you always.

Even in the middle of the storm.