Asleep in the Boat

How do you sleep?  Generally, I sleep very well but there are some nights when I lie awake for hours thinking of all that has to be done, possible solutions to matters needing to be solved or people I need to contact. It's an indication that somewhere inside I'm lacking the deep peace which comes when we put all our concerns completely in God's hands. In order to sleep well, you need to be at peace.

In Luke's Gospel chapter 8 verses 22 - 25 we read that Jesus was asleep in the boat during a storm which would have woken most people, a storm which caused experienced fishermen to fear for their lives. Clearly Jesus had an inner peace even in this turbulent situation. And it's this peace He promises to give us. He calls us to lie down in the boat and sleep, as He did, in complete trust that He is Lord over the storm that rages around us. He knew that circumstances would never overcome Him, for He was Lord over all. Jesus is still Lord over all, no matter what trial we may be facing today. We need not fear, for He is in control in the storms of our lives just as the disciples discovered He was Lord of the storm that they were experiencing: ''Who is this? He commands even the winds and the water, and they obey Him. ''

There are so many things in our lives that can cause us to be anxious and stressed. Yet God tells us in His Word many times not to fear or be anxious about anything.

'' Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. '' ( Philippians 4:6-7 )

Surrendering ourselves to Him and offering Him all that we are and all that we have is the key to knowing His peace and having total confidence in His faithful love and care for us. Sometimes when we're ' in the boat in a storm', we can't see where we are going and this uncertainty can cause us to feel 'all at sea' as it were. But Jesus knows the way and He invites us to sleep in the boat while He takes us there. The psalmist encourages us with an example of God's faithfulness in the past:

'' He stilled the storm to a whisper; the waves of the sea were hushed. They were glad when it grew calm, and He guided them to their desired haven. ''   Psalm 107:29-30

When our circumstances seem overwhelming, we can be sure that He, Almighty God, our Saviour, will keep and protect us through these challenging times and lead us into all the good plans He has for us. ( Jeremiah 29:11 )