PERSPECTIVE 10 february 2026 www.goodnewsfl.org Good News • South florida edition A truth is always true. I am not a believer in work/life balance but rather work/life rhythms. I find that rhythms are more realistic. Sometimes my life is at peace, and I can experience the joy of tranquility, and at other times my life is chaotic and stormy — anything but relaxed. Do you ever feel that way? Lately, my life has felt a little stormy, and the discernment and wisdom that God provides are critical in helping me know how to process and navigate all that comes my way. I am sure you can relate. I have been reflecting a lot on the “storms” we face in our lives. Recently, we have all been dealing with storms. These storms can be related to weather (literally), politics, the economy, culture, and our personal and private lives. Storms have a way of taxing us physically, spiritually and emotionally. They can make us feel overwhelmed, anxious and depressed. So how do we manage a storm, since they are inevitable? I remember as a young boy having a picture hanging in my bedroom that depicted a young man piloting a boat at its helm in the midst of a storm. Jesus stood behind the young man with one hand on his shoulder and the other showing him where to steer on the high seas. Today, that painting hangs on a wall in our house that is full of paintings, each with a story behind it. I had not paid much attention to it until the other day, when I realized how prophetic it was that this picture hung over my bed when I was a young boy (and still am). Recently, I was drawn to a story in the Bible where Jesus and His disciples (I call them interns) experience a significant storm. The story is found in the Gospel of Mark, chapter 4. Jesus has just finished a long series of teachings about faith and His Kingdom, using many parables. The day has been long, and He tells His interns that it is time to get into the boat and go to the other side. Various Bible scholars argue that “the other side” represented a Gentile (non-Jewish) region and that a good Jew would not be caught dead there. However, Jesus is on a mission. The eight-mile journey occurred at night, and while crossing the lake, a violent storm hits the boat. The storm is so severe that these hardened men — many of them fishermen — fear for their lives. The one who appears unafraid and fast asleep is Jesus, not the least bothered by the storm. The interns, in utter fear, wake their Teacher and accuse Him of not caring. He responds first with action: He calms the storm. Then He turns to them and asks two questions (which is what Jesus does best): Why are you so afraid? Where is your faith? I have reflected on this story many times as I try to learn how to manage the inevitable storms that show up. We are in a storm (most of the time) There is no question about it — storms are part of reality, and they come in all shapes and sizes. The storms you and I experience affect us differently, but they can easily produce overwhelming fear. We are reminded daily that our world is broken and that death is very much a part of it. Several theologians suggest that the storm Jesus and the interns encountered was not merely weather-related but involved demonic forces at work. Perhaps that is true, and if so, it adds another layer to the storms of life. Rembrandt van Rijn captured this scene in his famous painting (which, by the way, was stolen and has yet to be found). The painting draws you in — you can feel the wind and rain, the angst, fear and chaos. Mark’s story finds Jesus in the boat, sound asleep. We might assume He is detached or distant from our pain. But in reality, He has chosen to be present. He could have asked the interns to meet Him on the other side or simply watched from afar. Instead, He chose to journey through the storm with them. He knew the storm was coming and still joined them. He also knew they would need Him because He knew their faith was small. I find it almost comical that Jesus is asleep. I am not sure what kind of sleeper Jesus was, but as far as I know this is the only time in Scripture where we see Him sleeping. Many times we read that Jesus rose early to pray — but asleep in a crisis? My cynical side can read this wrongly, as though Jesus is selfish or more concerned with His needs than ours. But that is not true. He is demonstrating peace in the storm. Jesus never knew fear; it is not in His vocabulary. How many times do we read “fear not” in Scripture? A lot — some estimate 365 times. When Jesus is awakened, His first action is to quiet the storm with a command. Did He shout? Or did He quietly say, “Peace, be still”? No wonder Jesus never knew fear — He could quiet a storm. He demonstrates His power to His interns. A teaching moment (Don’t miss it) Jesus, the consummate teacher and shepherd, uses this as a teaching moment. I do not believe He is angry, but He is corrective as He asks about fear and faith. Faith and fear have an interesting relationship — faith is the antithesis of fear. Satan uses fear as his weapon, while Jesus uses faith. Dr. Tim Royer, a neuropsychologist, has remarked that our greatest fear often comes from anticipated fear. We use our God-given imagination to imagine what might be, and in our fear we can abandon our faith. James tells us that sin begins in our desires — our imagination — and fear works the same way. Jesus is in the boat with them, yet they default to fear. He teaches them that faith will always overcome fear. When we accept that storms are normal, we have less reason to be afraid because Jesus stands at our back — one hand on our shoulder and the other pointing the way. Jesus takes them to the other side, where they meet a demonpossessed man terrorizing the region. Jesus had a purpose in crossing the lake. He wanted to demonstrate His presence, peace and power in a dark place. Perhaps that is why Satan sent the storm. If he could have taken out the disciples, there would have been no transformation on the other side. What an insult to Satan’s power that Jesus chooses to nap during the attack. When the storms cease — and they will — we will arrive on the other side with stronger faith. That faith will give us power to confront the evil that awaits us. We pray for revival, and it is coming, but it begins in our hearts as we weather life’s storms. Here is a thought for extra credit. There was a time when Jesus was awake and the interns were asleep — on the night of His betrayal in the Garden of Gethsemane — and again He rebuked them. Perhaps there is a lesson here: when Jesus is asleep and at peace, we should take note and do the same. When He is awake and alert, we should take note and do the same. There is much to consider there. Have faith. The best is yet to come. In closing, it has been my great honor to write these little articles in the GOOD NEWS for many years. I am proud of the GOOD NEWS and its tireless effort to share the good news of what God is doing. After much prayer and pondering, I have decided to take a break for a season and give someone else an opportunity to contribute — someone who will surely bless you. Thank you for your many encouraging words. I look forward to seeing you out and about. May God richly bless you and keep you. Stephan N. Tchividjian is the CEO and co-founder of the National Christian Foundation South Florida. Visit southflorida.ncfgiving.com to learn more. - Stephan Tchividjian - CEO and Co-Founder, National Christian Foundation South Florida Sleepy Storms
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