He Calmed the Troubled Sea

One day, Jesus and his disciples were on a boat in the middle of the Sea of Galilee. While Jesus slept under the bow of the ship, a storm rose, violent over the waters. The wind whipped against the sails and the waves tossed the boat about with such force that the men began to fear for their lives.

Unable to stand against their anxiety, the disciples woke Jesus, crying out, “Master, how can you sleep? Do you not know we are all going to die? Will you do nothing to help us?”

Slowly, Jesus rose and looked with disappointment at His men. “Where is your faith? Did you think that I would bring you here and not help you?”

The Lord walked to the bow of the ship and stood. Stretching out His hand against the storm, He commanded, “Peace, be still.”

And the wind died away. The waves ceased to churn. He calmed the troubled sea.

One day, terror struck my life. Death entered at the hands of an enemy I could not fight. The winds of doubt whipped against my sails. A storm brewed, tossing me violently upon a sea of fear and doubt. The very foundation of my faith was torn away.

Unable to stand against my anxiety, I went to Jesus and cried out, “Lord, where are you? Do you not know that I am dying? Will you do nothing to help me?”

Then Jesus stood in the path of my life and looked deep into my eyes. Softly and tenderly, He spoke these words, “Susan, where is your faith? Did you think I would have brought you here and not helped you?”

So this same Jesus lifted His hand to me and said, “Peace, be still and know that I am God.”

And the wind died away. The waves ceased to churn. He calmed the troubled sea.

Susan Van Volkenburgh               

To learn more about my experience with September 11, 2001, read my book: 
​SILENT RESOLVE AND THE GOD WHO LET ME DOWN (a 9/11 story).