Wednesday, November 12, 2025

New Testament Reading Plan: James 2

It is easy to be discouraged by the political unrest, economic uncertainty, rising healthcare costs, and social tensions we are witnessing in the world today. I recently had this conversation with someone who was really worried about the future, and all I could do is share that I have the same fears as they do. But I also explained that my faith gives me the confidence that all will be well in the end.

Mark 4:37-40: “Jesus Calms the Storm”
But soon a fierce storm came up. High waves were breaking into the boat, and it began to fill with water.

Jesus was sleeping at the back of the boat with his head on a cushion. The disciples woke him up, shouting, “Teacher, don’t you care that we’re going to drown?”

When Jesus woke up, he rebuked the wind and said to the waves, “Silence! Be still!” Suddenly the wind stopped, and there was a great calm. Then he asked them, “Why are you afraid? Do you still have no faith?”

In the middle of the storm, the disciples lost sight of their anchor - Jesus. They forgot about his powerful presence and, instead, let fear consume and distract them.

In the movie Twisters, Kate is determined to tame a tornado. However, several team members die in the process, and her resulting fear changes her life’s trajectory. Instead of using her gift, she loses her passion, joy, and courage.

Her eyes were finally opened when someone asked, “How much more are you going to let it take from you?”

Just as the disciples panicked and Kate lost her way during their storms, we too can lose sight of our anchor when fear takes over. An unexpected diagnosis, the death of a loved one, a job loss, or devastating financial blow - you name it - they all have the power to blow us off course!

While we can’t choose the storms we face, we can choose how we respond, and who we trust in the middle of them. When the disciples panicked in the storm, Jesus was still in the boat, fully present and entirely in control.

We have a similar choice: Do we run from our storm, or do we trust Jesus enough to dive in with him?

Only Jesus has the power to calm the wind and waves and defeat death itself … and he’s right there in the boat with you.

Questions:
Will you run from your storm or dive into the chaos when it surrounds you, trusting Jesus to lead the way?

Next Steps:
Read Jesus' promises in John 16:33 and Romans 8:28.

Write out a prayer for peace and courage in the middle of life’s troubles, or repeat the one we’ve included below.

Prayer:
Father, I am so grateful for your promise to be with us in life's storms. Like the disciples in the boat, I sometimes let the wind and waves stir up fear within me. Calm my anxious heart and strengthen my faith to trust you when I cannot see. Break my heart for those who do not know you or those who are still caught in the storm without your peace. Use me as only you can to reach them with your love and truth. Strengthen my armor and give me courage. In Jesus' mighty name I pray, amen.

Series Theme Verse:

Romans 1:20
For ever since the world was created, people have seen the earth and sky. Through everything God made, they can clearly see his invisible qualities—his eternal power and divine nature. So they have no excuse for not knowing God.

This post was written by Julie Estep, a Perrysburg attendee and regular contributor to the Daily LivingItOut.