Luke’s account of Jesus calming the storm gives us insight into how to deal with suffering. Suffering is foreign to no one. In fact, as Christians, we are to expect suffering and persecution as we live a sanctified life in a world that hates Jesus. (2Tim 3:12) It is, therefore, essential to understand suffering biblically that it might be used for our spiritual benefit to bring glory to God.
How do we go through suffering?
We must be keenly aware of Jesus’ presence.
Even though Jesus was asleep, He was with His disciples in the boat. But in the face of the great storm, the disciples initially acted as though survival was up to them. Similarly, we often feel that God is distant from us during hardships. This is due to our sin and our lack of attention to His Word. In reality, a Christian never suffers alone. Jesus purchased us with His precious blood. He knows our name and is always near. We must stay humble to recognize God’s presence. When we are humble, we are able to have a right view of God in the midst of difficult circumstances.
We must use the power of the gift of prayer.
As the storm filled the boat with water, the disciples finally called out to Jesus in their distress. As we recognize that God is with us, we pray to Him. It is God’s command that we pray through suffering. (James 5:13) Prayer revitalizes us as we gain hope and peace from knowing Jesus is Lord of all. He is the God who hears and answers prayer in His infinite wisdom.
Jesus suffered immeasurably more than anyone in the world, and He prayed without ceasing. Through prayer, He saw the joy before Him as He endured the cross. Even if circumstances do not improve, prayer can change our hearts and understanding as we understand who Jesus is.
We must have faith.
After Jesus calmed the mighty storm by His word, He questioned His disciples on their faith. Faith is the only solution to suffering. It rises above circumstances and keeps us resting in the arms of Jesus. Faith involves an absolute trust in the Lord Jesus Christ, love for Him, and joyful obedience to Him. It has nothing to do with a person’s ability or skill but is a gift of God.
God allows suffering to occur in our lives for a good purpose. Just as the disciples came to recognize Jesus’ deity as He calmed the storm, through suffering, Jesus becomes our only object of worship in all circumstances. The fire of suffering purifies us to see the biblical Jesus and to follow in His steps as He endured and overcame the greatest suffering for us.
BIBLE COMMUNITY CHURCH 
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