Have you ever been caught in a storm you didn’t see coming?
A storm so relentless it left you wondering where God was?
For me, 2024 has felt like that kind of year. My anxiety is worse, leading to other health issues, and financial struggles keep piling up. On top of that, a few close friendships have fallen apart—one for reasons I don’t know and another for reasons I don’t understand.
Maybe you’ve been there, too, wondering how to find peace in the chaos. I’ve turned to Jesus through this storm—not because I have it all figured out, but because I’ve learned that faith isn’t about avoiding the storm. It’s about finding peace in the middle of it.
The Gospel of Luke has been an invaluable guide, reminding me that no matter how fierce the storm may seem, Jesus is there, calming the waves, speaking peace, and inviting me to trust him. As we look at Luke 8 together, I hope these stories will speak into your life just as they have into mine, offering hope, direction, and a reminder of God’s presence when life feels out of control.
Faith in the Storm: Calming the Sea (Luke 8:22-25)
Picture this: you’re on the Sea of Galilee, a seasoned fisherman who’s weathered plenty of storms. But tonight, the wind hits differently—it’s stronger, more violent, and suddenly, you’re unsure if the boat will make it. Waves are crashing in, cold spray stinging your face, and fear grips your heart. Jesus is there with you all the while, but he’s asleep. You’re desperate and scared for your life, so you wake him. And with one word, he commands the storm to stop. Just like that, the chaos around you turns to calm.
That’s precisely what happened to Jesus’ disciples in Luke 8:22-25. And in the middle of their fear, Jesus didn’t criticize them for waking him. Instead, he asked them a profound question: “Where is your faith?”
“Where is your faith?
But here’s something many don’t realize: Jesus intentionally led the disciples into this storm.
They weren’t in that boat by accident.
They were following his direction when they found themselves in danger.
Why would Jesus, who loves them, allow this?
It’s because the storm was not a mistake—it was a divine setup. Through this experience, they learned that faith isn’t the absence of problems; it’s the presence of Jesus with us in those problems.
Like the disciples, I’ve felt that way this year. I’ve been doing my best to follow Jesus—praying and seeking him— yet storms keep hitting. And I’ve asked, “Jesus, where are you?”
Maybe you’ve asked that, too. Maybe your storm looks like a health crisis, financial strain, or relational breakdown. It’s easy to think we’re alone in the storm, but Jesus is still with us. His presence doesn’t disappear when the waves rise. Faith means remembering who is in the boat with you—the One who calms the storm around you and inside you.
Freedom through Faith: Healing the Demon-Possessed Man (Luke 8:28-39)
But the storm wasn’t the only battle Jesus faced that day. As soon as he stepped onto dry land, he encountered a new kind of chaos—one that wasn’t external but spiritual.
Jesus and his disciples reached the region of the Gerasenes, where they encountered a man tormented by demons. His life was consumed by spiritual darkness, and no one could help him. But Jesus, with one command, freed him, restoring him to wholeness.
Many people see this as a story from a distant past, but the reality is that spiritual warfare is very real today, though it often takes more subtle forms. We might not face overt demon possession, but we encounter other battles—anxiety, fear, addiction, and division—that can feel just as oppressive.
But here’s the hope: He can free us just as Jesus freed that man. No matter your spiritual battle, Jesus’ power is stronger. Anxiety, fear, addiction—they don’t have the final word. Jesus does. And just as he told the man in Gerasene to go and tell everyone what God had done for him, we are called to share our victories. When we share what Jesus has done, we break the power of shame, secrecy, and isolation.
Faith in Desperation: Jairus’s Daughter and the Bleeding Woman (Luke 8:49-56)
While spiritual battles are real, so are physical ones. We don’t just fight storms in our souls; our bodies and our relationships can fall apart, too. In Luke 8, we meet two people whose desperation drove them straight to Jesus.
Jairus, a synagogue leader, pleads with Jesus to save his dying daughter. On the way, a woman who had suffered from constant bleeding for twelve years touches the fringe of Jesus’ robe, believing that a simple touch will heal her.
Both Jairus and the bleeding woman had reached their breaking points. Jairus, a man of influence, was willing to beg for his daughter’s life, and the woman, an outcast in society, risked everything just to touch Jesus. Their faith wasn’t casual—it was desperate. And Jesus responded to both, meeting them in their need.
But here’s something that makes this story even more profound: the woman’s decision to touch Jesus wasn’t just a bold act of faith—it was risky. According to Jewish law, her bleeding condition made her “unclean,” which meant she was supposed to stay isolated from others. By reaching out to touch Jesus, she was risking further shame, rejection, and even punishment. But instead of reprimanding them, Jesus healed her physically and emotionally. He called her “Daughter,”restoring her identity and dignity in front of the crowd.
Jairus’s story teaches us something equally important: Jesus’ power is not limited by time or circumstance. While he was healing the woman, Jairus received news that his daughter had died. To many of us, it might seem like Jesus was too late. But Jesus wasn’t in a hurry. Even when it seemed like all hope was lost, he told Jairus, “Don’t be afraid. Just have faith.” This shows us that time or situation doesn’t limit Jesus’ authority. He’s never late, even when time is running out. His timing is always perfect.
Cultivating Faith in Action
As we’ve seen through these stories—whether calming the storm, freeing the demon-possessed man, or healing the bleeding woman and Jairus’s daughter—faith isn’t passive. It’s not just something we believe; it’s something we live out, especially when life feels overwhelming.
Like those in these stories, we face insurmountable obstacles—storms, spiritual oppression, illness, and hopelessness. But when we turn to Jesus with our struggles, he meets us with healing, peace, and restoration.
In fact, here’s something many overlook: the ultimate goal of these miracles wasn’t just the physical healing—it was to grow the faith of those involved. The storm taught the disciples to trust Jesus in chaos. The demon-possessed man became a living testimony to Jesus’ power. And for the bleeding woman and Jairus, their faith grew deeper as they witnessed Jesus’ compassion and power to bring life where there seemed to be none. These miracles weren’t just about resolving temporary crises but building lasting trust in Jesus.
The ultimate goal of these miracles wasn’t just the physical healing—it was to grow the faith of those involved.
What storm are you walking through right now? Like the disciples, are you feeling overwhelmed by the chaos around you? Or, like the bleeding woman, have you been suffering silently for years, unsure if healing will ever come?
This week, I challenge you to take one intentional step of faith. What are you facing right now—a storm of anxiety, a spiritual battle, or a situation where hope feels gone? Bring it to Jesus. Trust him to calm your storm, meet you in battle, and bring life where all seems lost.
“When troubles of any kind come your way, consider it an opportunity for great joy. For you know that when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow.” – James 1:2-3 (NLT)
Even in our suffering, God is at work, building something beautiful. The choice is ours—will we trust him in the storm?
Conclusion
So, what will you do with your storm?
Will you turn inward or reach out to Jesus, trusting him to calm the chaos around you and inside you?
I don’t know what storm you’re facing right now, but I do know this: Jesus is with you.
He’s in the boat.
He’s in the battle.
And he’s in every desperate situation you’re walking through.
Will you trust him today?
