Image source: Wikimedia Commons
Have you recently heard some news, or observed an event that upset you, made you angry, unsettled you and possibly robbed you of sleep? Do you get the feeling that in our world today, unsettling news and events are overwhelming our capacity to cope – be it natural disasters, political conflicts, economic hardships, religious scandals, and relationship failures. Life seems to be a stormy raging sea – a tempest!
The Bible tells a story in Matthew Chapter 8, about Jesus in a tempest in the sea of Galilee. When Jesus started his mnistry, he was living in Capernaum, a town at the north-west edge of the sea of Galilee. During one of his teaching and healing sessions, the crowdsize was overwhelming, and in order to get some well deserved rest, Jesus got into a boat to cross to the eastern side of the sea of Galilee. As soon as they set out, a strong and furious storm started got in their way.
Matthew 8:23-27 (NIV) narrates the story like this: “23 Then he got into the boat and his disciples followed him. 24 Suddenly a furious storm came up on the lake, so that the waves swept over the boat. But Jesus was sleeping. 25 The disciples went and woke him, saying, “Lord, save us! We’re going to drown!” 26 He replied, “You of little faith, why are you so afraid?” Then he got up and rebuked the winds and the waves, and it was completely calm. 27 The men were amazed and asked, “What kind of man is this? Even the winds and the waves obey him!”
Jesus was sleeping even with the tempest raging around him – incredible! King Solomon, speaking about the blessings that come to god-fearing people did say in Proverbs Chapter 3:24 (NIV) that “When you lie down, you will not be afraid; when you lie down, your sleep will be sweet.” Jesus was definitely enjoying sweet sleep (hahaha) despite the raging turbulent tempest!
Today, we may not have the power to calm the tempest, but we can pray for peace of mind and “sweet sleep” in tempestous times. May the Lord hear our prayers and give us sweet sleep daily, Amen!
Jesus, our redeemer, healing the world... 
