Behold, there arose a great storm on the sea, so that the boat was being swamped by the waves; but he was asleep. And they went and woke him, saying, “Save us, Lord; we are perishing.” Matthew 8:24–25 (ESV)
Driving home from the mountains, I was caught in a major snowstorm. I clutched my steering wheel so tightly my hands ached. Cars and trucks surrounded me as we drove on a traffic-filled highway. Suddenly, I hit black ice, and my car started sliding. I tried to steer, but I had no control of the direction I was headed. A big cargo truck was on my left but, thankfully, I was slipping to the right. “Jesus, help!” I cried—it was all I could muster. Miraculously, no vehicles smashed into me. When I finally drove out of the worst of the storm, relief washed over me.
In crisis situations sometimes all we can manage is a desperate plea for help. The disciples had a life-threatening experience on the Sea of Galilee one day. They were in the middle of the lake, with Jesus sound asleep, when a massive storm rolled in. The huge waves tossed their little wooden boat like driftwood, and water gushed into it. They cried out to Jesus, “Help, we are perishing!” He awoke, spoke, and the winds calmed immediately. The storm I drove through didn’t instantly dissipate, but I drove through it, asking Jesus for help the entire trip. He kept me safe.
In the midst of a crisis and chaos, many of us today would not use the words “Help me; I’m perishing,” but we would simply cry “Help.” Whatever words you use to pray urgently, things happen in heaven and earth when you call on Jesus. He will calm your storm. Don’t hesitate to ask Him for help.
Faith Step: Are you in a storm? Write your version of a “Jesus, help me,” prayer and trust in the calm to come.
