“Peace, Be Still” — Now Find A Seat And Buckle Up.

“And a great windstorm arose, and the waves were breaking into the boat, so that the boat was already filling. But he was in the stern, asleep on the cushion. And they woke him and said to him, “Teacher, do you not care that we are perishing?” And he awoke and rebuked the wind and said to the sea, “Peace! Be still!” And the wind ceased, and there was a great calm. He said to them, “Why are you so afraid? Have you still no faith?” (Mark 4:37-40 cf: Mt. 8:23-27).

So, there they were—waves crashing, boat tipping, disciples flailing like first-time floaties in the deep end—while Jesus catches a lil’ shut eye on a cushion.

A cushion, y’all.

Naturally, the disciples wake Him up with the ancient Hebrew version of “DO YOU EVEN CARE?!” And like only Jesus can, He gets up, rebukes the wind like it’s a disobedient toddler, hushes the sea, and then—drops the mic with a question:

“Why are you so afraid? Have you still no faith?” (Mark 4:40)

Now here’s the thing—I’ve heard this passage preached more ways than a Southern Baptist casserole has been cooked. But almost every time, the takeaway is, “You just need more faith to calm your storm.”

I know what you are thinking but just hear me out. I am an older woman with a mandate to teach younger women – and I take that task seriously. Especially when the mandate comes from the holy God of the universe. Therefore, my husband has seen fit to make sure I am discipled well. Not that he tells me what to think – As a matter of fact, I have learned that if I have a question, I should expect homework.

He is a very good discipler and has taught me how to study Scripture well. And I think there’s been a little bit of an issue when preachers teach on this verse.

There is no doubt in my mind that the first commandment given in the order it was given, was no coininky-dink.

As a matter of fact, it should be added to the Christian tattoo list.  

Like on the forearm.

Where it can be seen every single moment – of every single day.

Our wretched, black, evil hearts have a propensity to put everything and everyone above God. But make no mistake about it, at the top of that totem pole of “no other gods” is our A.I. generated head.

So, it is no wonder at all that all of the sermons that I have heard on this particular passage focus on not having enough faith to calm the storm.

We do the same thing with the mustard seed – expecting every mountain to be moved at our command…

But that is NOT the message.

“He said to them, “Why are you so afraid?”

One of my favorite verses in the Bible is directed towards women.  Women… the “weaker vessel” woman… it says: “Do not fear anything frightening” (1 Pt. 3:6).

The Greek word used for frightening or in the NASB “fearful” is ptoeō and literally means terrifying.

“Do not fear anything terrifying.”

Side note – when conducting a word study on the word ptoeō, it had a female connotation (noun, femine). I found that little tidbit interesting since women tend to be quite vicious and can be quite terrifying – especially towards other women – covertly, of course.

“Bless your heart.”

But I digress…

The command to “fear not” is repeated in Scripture more times than a toddler says “Mom.”

Nowhere does it say:

• “You better move that mountain!”
• “Calm your own sea!”
• “Manifest your breakthrough, queen!”

Nope.

It does say:

• “Do not fear.”
• “Be strong and courageous.”
• “Be still and know that I am God.”

(Spoiler: You’re not.)

Trials are going to come. Storms will rage. And it does not matter how many “warrior princess” meme’s you post, the storms will keep coming.

The Bible never promised storm-free living. It promised storm-secure faith.

“Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials…” (Js. 1:2)

Not “if.” When.

The goal is not to “calm the storm,” but to trust the One who can—even if He chooses not to.

Sometimes He rebukes the sea.
Other times He rebukes you.

And let’s be honest, most of us respond to adversity like the disciples—spiritual toddlers in adult-sized tunics, melting down the minute things get soggy.

Jesus isn’t asking, “Why can’t you stop the wind?”
He’s asking, “Why are you still scared, when I’m literally right here?”

So here’s the Holly T. Ashley teaching:

• Don’t chase comfort like it’s your Savior.
• Don’t idolize peace like it’s your Provider.
• Don’t let your “empowerment” make you forget you are not the Power.

Pack your spiritual armor.
Grab an extra cloak.
Bring your sword. (Or, if you’re a woman of the Word… go full Jael and grab the tent peg.)

And if all else fails, just remember:
Jesus has more authority in His nap than you do in your loudest prayer circle.

Let the storms rage.

You don’t need to be the hero.

You just need to trust the One who is.

And hang in (on) for the blessing:

“For you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness.And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing” (Js. 1:3-4).

Amen and pass the tent peg.

The man of faith brings God in. he looks at everything from God’s perspective and estimates values by Spiritual standards. His view of eternity is through the light of eternity and he receives whatever comes as from the hand of God. His heart is calm in the midst of the storm. His hope is in the glory of God. (AW Pink).

Holly T. Ashley | CrossStrengthMinistries.org