Sometimes events, emotions, people, responsibilities just seem to flood around us. We even call it chaotic. We think we’re in control. We think we are free people. But in reality we’re pounded down and often at the mercy of emotions of fear, anxiety, anger. We strike out verbally or sometimes even physically at other people. Alienating our friends. Or at best just appearing to be a fool. But we refuse to believe that we’re not in charge of our life.
As we follow the story of Jesus through Mark’s writing, we read a story that addresses this problem. Jesus started preaching from a boat in the lake. Some of Jesus’ friends were professional fishermen. They knew how to handle boats, or at least we presume so. But he sent them ahead and a storm blew in. Scared them to their very core. Storms in a story often represent these storms in our lives, the chaos that envelops us and prevents us from living a Spirit-filled life. These friends weren’t thinking about Spirit-filled life. They were thinking basic physical survival from the chaos around them.
Jesus comes to them, and they slowly begin to realize even more power about the Spirit-filled life. Jesus brings calm to the chaos. He still does. When you think everything is out of control and you are at the mercy of many destructive emotions and other forces, changing the focus of your attention to God brings calm in the midst of chaos. A few slow, deep breaths. Remembrance of God. Slowly focusing on God. And you can feel calm and perspective flowing back into your life. And that’s peace–one of the fruits of the Spirit. This is the secret of those who can be calm and think clearly in the midst of emergencies and challenges. It can be your secret, too.
Faith Venture 
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