Mark 4, 5, and 6

Have you read those chapters lately?  Last night, we sat under the preaching of the Word of God and our hearts were challenged!  I had never had my attention drawn to the couple verses at the end of each miracle.
Mark 4:36-41
A storm rose up on and the disciples were afraid, "Master, carest thou not that we perish?" Jesus rebukes the wind and the waves with "Peace be still."  They obeyed and there was great calm.  But look...in verse 41, "...and they feared exceedingly..."
Mark 6:47-51
The disciples were toiling in rowing in the rough seas and Jesus walked out to them on the sea.  They were afraid.  Jesus said, "Be of good cheer:  it is I; be not afraid."  The wind ceased.  Verse 51, "...and they were sore amazed in themselves beyond measure and wondered."
They were more afraid in the peace and calm than they were in the storm!  With this thinking, which was worse?  The problem or the solution?  So often Jesus' solution to the problems in our life seem more bothersome to us.  We may have to go through a process of confession, forgiveness, and restoration.  We may have to humble ourselves.  We may have to give up some things.  We may have to admit we were wrong.  The process of grace can be more painful than the problem of sin.  We want the "saving grace", but so often, we stop there. 
We are fearful of the power of God and we really don't want God to do that much in our life!  The disciples had seen the compassion Jesus had for others time and again.  Yet, they continued to negatively react to their circumstances.  Jesus continued to rebuke and teach.  And He continues to do that for us...as we read His Word and submit to His working in our life.  It is a daily struggle!
We want to control our own security because we know what makes us comfortable.  We want to be in control with no one telling us what to do.  We want to feel like we have the power to control our own destiny.
We want to decide on our own!  And we risk drowning in the circumstances we are in, rather than be delivered by His grace!  When Jesus steps into our life...He gives us freedom from the bondage of sin, He gives us victory over sin, and He gives us peace in our spirit. 
There was so much more to this message...but I am going to spend some time meditating on this part today.
God has spoken "Peace, be still." in many areas of my life.  Yet, I often fear the "Peace" wondering...what's going to happen now.  We have such a small understanding of the reason for "problems" in our life.  Those problems are not problems to God!  God will do what He needs to do in our life to build our faith.  He doesn't want to hear whining from me.  He wants me to obey His Word and submit to His working in my life!  Just as the song says, "...so that others will see my life and know...that God...makes no mistakes."
I needed to hear this message!  What a wonderful gift for my birthday!  A reminder that God loves me so much, that He will do what is necessary to increase my faith.