How would you have acted in that boat with Jesus? Many years ago I was crossing the Irish Sea in a passenger boat without stabilisers in bad weather. When those angry, huge dark waves seemed to rise above our heads I was sure the boat would sink and, yes, I was very afraid. Tables tilted, chairs slid across the deck and crockery smashed to the floor, ignored by the staff who held on to doorframes to keep upright. Fortu- nately the crossing only lasted a couple of hours and when on dry land again I felt rather ashamed of my cowardice. Based on that experience I’m sure I

would have panicked in the same way as the disciples did on their little boat.

Years later I went through another ‘storm’, a bad patch that

seemed to last forever, and there was nothing I could do to change it. I could only find peace by handing the situation over to God. And eventually the storm passed.

It’s so easy to forget God’s presence when the storms of life are rag- ing. I have to remember to pray about my fears, and to havefaith in his power and judgement to still the storm in the way that Jesus did for the disciples.

Prayer: Father God, thank you that you are always there for us in any storm. Help us to call upon you when we face trouble and to trust that you will help us. Amen