Storms and Spiritual Battles

I’ve been meditating on Luke 8:22-35 for a while following an encounter with a beautiful 15th-century icon of Jesus and the disciples in the storm. It’s a story that we all know well and as I looked at the icon itself, it helped me think through two things that I hope will help you too.
First, it helped me insert myself into the story as one of the disciples. To think about my emotions as I get in the boat with Jesus with no idea what’s on its way. Hearing Jesus say, with the same authority that created the universe “Let’s go to the other side,” and obeying. Observing Jesus falling asleep as I’m left awake while a massive storm arises.
I’ve imagined myself in this violent, life-threatening squall and contemplated what may have been going on in the boat. Angry and reluctant sailors blaming each other: “You should have bought that new boat you were talking about. That would have got us across.” Matthew piping up: “Maybe we should have some faith?” only to be shot down by Thomas with the others and me joining in: “What do you know about this? You’re a tax collector.” Jesus remains asleep while arguments and self-destruction begin. I feel uncomfortable about the ‘self-and others’ destruction and blame/pity party in tough circumstances, but alas, I keep indulging it myself.
Yet, what I’m not appreciating in the moment is that Jesus has a plan. He has the authority to stand up and utter a few words for the storm to stop. He is teaching the disciples and me in this boat (and for the future boat called “life”) that we need to go through storms that come our way with trust and confidence in Him. Jesus can easily change the circumstances and stop the storm but He chooses not to so that we can grow.
My response should be (and needs to be for myself and others) to remain disciplined in the circumstances quiet within! Not lashing out or sharing my internal pain by transmitting it. Instead, sharing my internal pain with God, so that my heart will be reset to rest in Him. 1 John 3:19 says “This is how we know that we are of the truth and how we will set our hearts at rest in his presence.” The way out is through.
Selah.
Another revelation this icon brought was that Jesus had a purpose in setting out to sea in the first place: to rescue a deeply troubled prisoner. I had not seen the linkage before because they’re separated by chapter headings in Luke’s Gospel. The picture linked them for me whereas the chapter had disconnected them. Take a look for yourself on the far left.
Jesus took the disciples through that storm both to build their faith (let them know they could remain calm in the storm) and because He wanted to show them that He deeply cared and loved (an understatement if there ever was one) this man.
This is the mission we’ve also been called to and continue to do. To follow Jesus into the prisons of the world, to meet Him there and to serve those who are otherwise discarded, disregarded and despised. To be bringers of hope and healing to our world and to people that are destroyed by the hideous effects of crime and its consequences.
The rising of the storm was not because the disciples (or His ‘now-disciples’ like you and me) were doing anything wrong or uncommitted to Jesus or in the wrong place and time or any other reason. My conviction is that storms arise because we are in a spiritual battle.
A well-known Bible teacher was once asked, “What is a sign that you’re filled with the Holy Spirit?” and they said, “Trouble.” Trouble is a sure sign that we are on track when it comes to participating in God’s kingdom.
This ministry of reconciliation and the precious audience that we are called to (prisoners, families, victims) comes with the force of a royal decree from the Creator and Lord of the universe so a far better perspective is to expect a spiritual battle. Ephesians 6:10-20 reminds us what our responsibility is when we are in that boat and how we can stand firm in the middle of the battle.
May God bless you in all that you do, especially amidst the storms that come your way. Stand firm and have an inner calm until the King chooses to stand up and bring calm to our outward circumstances.
“His divine power has given us everything we need for a Godly life through our knowledge of Him who has called us by His own glory and goodness. Through these he has given us his very great and precious promises, so that through them you may participate in the divine nature, having escaped the corruption in the world caused by evil desires.” 2 Peter 1:4