On the same day, when evening had come, He said to them, “Let us cross over to the other side.” 36Now when they had left the multitude, they took Him along in the boat as He was. And other little boats were also with Him. 37And a great windstorm arose, and the waves beat into the boat, so that it was already filling. 38But He was in the stern, asleep on a pillow. And they awoke Him and said to Him, “Teacher, do You not care that we are perishing?”

39Then He arose and rebuked the wind, and said to the sea, “Peace, be still!” And the wind ceased and there was a great calm.   (Mark 4)

I've often wondered how Jesus could sleep in the storm. I can see being able to sleep with the boat being battered by the wind and waves. But Jesus had to have been getting wet too. If you've ever been asleep in a tent turning the rain you know how a couple of drops of water can bring you awake from a sound sleep. But Jesus didn't seem to be bothered.

The revelation I got this morning is that this story illustrates how Jesus released what was in him into the world. The calm Jesus had wasn't affected by circumstances. In fact, the calm he carried was enough to change the circumstances.

The disciples, on the other hand, let the circumstances change their inner world. The word Jesus gave, "We're going to the other side," should have been enough for them to do the same thing Jesus did. Jesus chides them for their lack of faith. This suggests that he expected them to be able to trust his word and release the same calm into the storm that he did. 

And so it is with me. I have his word and his promises, and his Spirit. I think the storms I face are supposed to train me to take my inner world into the circumstances and change them.