Like A Bridge Over Troubled Water
TiffanyAnn Lewis 

“On the same day, when evening had come, He said to them, “Let us cross over to the other side.”  Now when they had left the multitude, they took Him along in the boat…and a great windstorm arose, and the waves beat into the boat, so that it was already filling.  But He was in the stern, asleep on a pillow.  And they awoke Him and said to Him, “Teacher, do You not care that we are perishing?”  (Mark 4:35-38)  

Can you relate?  One minute you’re happily sailing along on the boat of life and suddenly a storm arises out of nowhere and you find yourself sinking in troubled waters.  All hell is breaking loose and you’re wondering where God is in all of it.

As believers, we know that “all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose.” (Rom. 8:28)  However, when the waves are crashing all around us, doubt begins to seep in and we wonder why we ever left the shore in the first place.  Our roar of faith is sounding more like a kitten’s meow in the face of the storm.  We become dismayed as the undercurrent grips our heart with fear.

Jesus forewarned us that storms would come, “In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.” (Jn 16:33b)  Tribulation is pressure, oppression, distress, anguish, and affliction. (Strong’s #2346)  Tribulation is the tough stuff in life that makes you want to bail ship and jump overboard.  Jesus assures us that when everything seems to go wrong, in Him we can still stand strong.  These storms will not overcome us because He has overcome the world.

Difficult times are easier to go through when you are not alone.  We phone a friend when we’re sad or hold a loved ones hand to receive bad news.  This is a natural example of a spiritual principal.  God has promised “When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; And through the rivers, they shall not overflow you…Fear not, for I am with you.”  (Is. 43:2, 5)  That’s worth repeating, “Fear not, for I am with you.”   HalleluYah!  Jesus has not left you to weather this storm alone, nor did He call you out on the water just so you could drown.  He called you out so you could “cross over to the other side.” (Mark 4:35)   He calms our fears by reminding us of His abiding presence through it all.

Jesus was in the boat with the disciples when the storm hit, yet they weren’t sure if they were going to make it to the other side.  They were scared and cried, “Lord, save us!  Do You not care that we are perishing?”(Matt. 8:25 & Mark 4:38)  Oh beloved, of course He cares.  Jesus cared so much that He rose up and “rebuked the wind, and said to the sea, ‘Peace, be still!’” (Mark 4:39)  Notice, Jesus didn’t pray to the Father, He spoke to the storm.  Jesus addressed was what was rocking their boat causing them to doubt and fear.  He spoke to the source of the trouble, the storm, and commanded it to be still!

After the storm was quieted, Jesus asked the disciples, “Why are you so fearful? How is it that you have no faith?” (Mark 4:40)  That’s a great question.  Why do we get so fearful in these troubled waters when we know the Truth?  Jesus was at peace in the storm because He knew they were going to get to the other side.  In the midst of the storm, it takes faith to see the other side.  When we make it through to the other side, we can look back and see clearly God’s plan, provision and faithfulness.  Hindsight is 20/20.  The fruit produced by the storm comes at a very high price.  Peace in the midst of a storm is priceless.  You will never experience the priceless value of peace until you have experienced it in a storm.

We may be “pressed on every side by troubles, but we are not crushed.  We are perplexed, but not driven to despair.  We are hunted down, but never abandoned by God.  We get knocked down, but we are not destroyed.” (2 Cor. 4:8-9 NLT)  We don’t know what it’s going to look like on the other side.  We may wonder if we’ll even get there, but we need to remember above it all, Jesus is there and He cares.  He has not abandoned us; He is in our boat.  We need to hear His voice through the noise of the raging winds saying, “Fear not, for I am with you; Be not dismayed, for I am your God.  I will strengthen you, Yes, I will help you, I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.” (Is. 41:10)  We may never understand the reason for the storm but with Him we’re going to make it through.

I am reminded of Simon and Garfunkel’s song, “Bridge Over Troubled Water.”  As you read these words, imagine the Lord is singing this song to you.  

When you’re weary, feeling small,
When tears are in your eyes, I will dry them all.
I’m on your side.
When times get rough and friends just can’t be found,
Like a bridge over troubled water, I will lay me down.
Like a bridge over troubled water, I will lay me down.

When you’re down and out, when you’re on the street,
When evening falls so hard, I will comfort you.
I’ll take your part.
When darkness comes and pain is all around,
Like a bridge over troubled water, I will lay me down.
Like a bridge over troubled water, I will lay me down. 

Jesus Christ laid down His life to be our peace in these troubled waters.  “Peace I leave with you, My peace I give you; not as the world gives do I give to you.  Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.” (John. 14:27)  I don’t know what you may be going through today, but lift your eyes above the storm and behold your God, not your circumstances.  With arms of faith, hang onto Jesus the “anchor of the soul…” (Heb. 6:19) and ride out the storm.  You are never alone, for Jesus said, “lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” (Matt. 28:20b)  Amen!