Walking with God (Part 5): Walking (Sailing) with God Through the Storm
Adrian Thornton

What does it look like to walk with God when life feels out of control? How do we keep walking when we can’t hear His voice? Mark 4:35-41 gives us a picture.

The story begins with Jesus saying, “Let us go over to the other side.” He doesn’t say, “You go, I’ll meet you there,” but, “Let’s go together.” That’s His heart—not just waiting for us in heaven, but walking with us now.

On the lake, a furious storm comes up. Waves crash into the boat until it’s nearly swamped, and even the seasoned fishermen are terrified. Jesus knew the storm was coming, yet He didn’t warn them.

Meanwhile, Jesus is asleep in the stern. The disciples panic: “Teacher, don’t you care if we drown?” Isn’t that the cry of our hearts sometimes? “God, don’t You care what I’m going through?” And yet—He does.

Jesus rises, rebukes the storm, and instantly it is calm. What a glimpse of the Father’s heart: faithful, strong, and protective. Scripture reminds us in Psalm 121:7, “The Lord will keep you from all harm— he will watch over your life;”

But!

Jesus asks, “Why are you so afraid? Do you still have no faith?” The instruction—“We’re going to the other side”—was about direction. The storm, though, was about their development. Jesus wanted them to build a resilient faith that doesn’t give up.

And that’s what walking with God looks like. Sometimes, He calms the storm. Other times, like with Paul in Acts 27, He doesn’t. Paul’s ship was destroyed, yet God’s word—“You will stand before Caesar”—carried him through. Battered and clinging to planks, he still reached the other side because God said he would.

That’s the kind of faith Jesus was building in His disciples. Not a fragile faith, but a trust anchored in His word. The kind that believes: even if I arrive drenched and exhausted, I will get there, because He promised.

Walking with God isn’t always smooth sailing. Sometimes He’s silent, like sleeping in the stern. Sometimes there’s a storm. But His silence doesn’t mean absence, and storms don’t mean you’re outside His will.

James 1:2-4 reminds us that trials produce perseverance, leading to maturity so that we “lack nothing.” Although God doesn’t want any of His children to be hurt, traumatised, or overwhelmed by life, He will use storms to form what you are lacking.

And the good news? You don’t face the storms alone. Jesus is with you in the boat, and so are the people of faith surrounding you.