Where Do You Look When the Waves Are Crashing?
You know that moment when everything hits at once?
The job falls through. The diagnosis comes back. The relationship crumbles. The bills pile up. The depression settles in like a fog you can’t shake.
And you’re just… drowning.
You’re treading water, exhausted, wondering how much longer you can keep your head above the surface. And the worst part? You feel completely alone in it.
If that’s where you are right now, Mike Eells’ sermon on Jesus being with us in life’s storms is going to feel like a lifeline thrown to you in the middle of the ocean.
Why This Jesus in Life’s Storms Sermon Matters Right Now
This Mike Eells sermon isn’t another “hang in there” pep talk. It’s not toxic positivity that pretends your pain doesn’t exist. And it’s definitely not one of those “just pray harder” messages that leaves you feeling like a failure.
This is raw, honest, biblical truth about what to do when life is genuinely falling apart.
Mike draws from Scripture, personal stories, and the promises of God to show us something we desperately need to remember: Jesus doesn’t wait on the shore while you drown. He’s in the boat with you.
The Storm That Changed Everything
Jesus Calms the Storm (Mark 4:35-41)
Let’s start where Mike starts—with one of the most dramatic moments in the Gospels.
The disciples were experienced fishermen. They knew the Sea of Galilee. They’d navigated storms before. But this storm was different.
The waves were crashing over the boat. They were filling with water. They were convinced they were about to die.
And where was Jesus? Asleep on a cushion in the stern.
Can you imagine? They’re bailing water, fighting for their lives, and Jesus is sleeping.
Finally, they wake Him up: “Teacher, don’t you care that we’re perishing?” (Mark 4:38)
Then Jesus does something extraordinary. He stands up and speaks three words to the storm:
“Peace, be still.”
And immediately—instantly—the wind stopped. The waves calmed. Complete stillness.
Then Jesus turns to His terrified disciples and asks: “Why are you so afraid? Do you still have no faith?”
What This Christ’s Presence in Trials Message Teaches Us
1. Jesus Doesn’t Always Prevent the Storm—But He’s Always Present in It
Here’s something crucial that Mike highlights in this Jesus calms the storm message: Jesus knew the storm was coming.
He was the one who suggested they get in the boat and cross to the other side. He led them straight into it.
Why would He do that?
Because sometimes God allows storms not to destroy us, but to reveal something about Himself—and something about our own hearts.
The disciples had been following Jesus. They’d seen miracles. They’d watched Him heal the sick and cast out demons. But this storm revealed something: when circumstances got scary, they forgot who was in the boat with them.
Your Application:
What storm are you facing right now that’s making you forget who’s in the boat with you?
- Financial crisis?
- Health scare?
- Relationship breakdown?
- Mental health struggle?
- Loss of a loved one?
- Career uncertainty?
Jesus hasn’t abandoned you. He’s right there. Sometimes He calms the storm. Sometimes He calms you in the storm. But He’s always present.
2. Your Fear Doesn’t Mean You Lack Faith—It Means You’re Human
Let’s be honest about something: the disciples were terrified. These weren’t wimps—they were seasoned sailors. And they were convinced they were going to die.
Was their fear wrong? Was it sin?
Mike addresses this beautifully in his Christian encouragement in hardship message: fear is a natural human response to danger. What matters is what you do with that fear.
The disciples’ mistake wasn’t feeling afraid. Their mistake was letting fear convince them Jesus didn’t care or couldn’t help.
“Don’t you care that we’re perishing?”
Translation: “Jesus, You’re sleeping through our crisis. You must not care. You must not understand how bad this is. You’re not going to help us.”
But Jesus wasn’t sleeping because He didn’t care. He was sleeping because He knew the outcome. The storm couldn’t sink a boat that Jesus was in.
Your Application:
Stop beating yourself up for being afraid. Fear doesn’t disqualify you from faith.
Instead, ask yourself:
- Am I letting fear convince me God doesn’t care?
- Am I letting circumstances drown out God’s promises?
- Am I looking at the size of my storm or the power of my Savior?
3. Jesus Has Authority Over Every Storm You’ll Ever Face
When Jesus spoke to the storm—“Peace, be still”—it obeyed instantly.
The same voice that spoke creation into existence spoke peace into chaos.
And here’s what’s important: Jesus has the same authority over your storms.
The financial storm – He owns the cattle on a thousand hills The health storm – He’s the Great Physician The relationship storm – He heals the brokenhearted The mental health storm – He gives peace that surpasses understanding The grief storm – He’s close to the brokenhearted
Whatever you’re facing, it’s not bigger than Jesus.
Your Application:
Name your storm out loud to Jesus. Specifically. Then declare His authority over it.
“Jesus, You have authority over this cancer diagnosis.” “Jesus, You have authority over this depression.” “Jesus, You have authority over this financial crisis.” “Jesus, You have authority over this broken marriage.”
4. Sometimes the Storm Reveals What We Really Believe About God
The disciples’ question reveals their theology: “Don’t you care?”
In their panic, they doubted Jesus’s character. They questioned His love. They wondered if He really had their best interests at heart.
The storm didn’t create these doubts—it exposed them.
This is what Mike emphasizes in his biblical hope during storms message: storms have a way of revealing what we really believe when life is easy to say we trust God.
Your Application:
What is this storm revealing about what you believe about God?
Complete these sentences honestly:
- “If God really loved me, He would…”
- “If God was really good, this wouldn’t…”
- “If God was really powerful, He could…”
Now compare your answers to what Scripture actually says about God’s character. Where’s the disconnect? That’s where your faith needs strengthening.
Other Biblical Storms That Teach Us About Jesus’s Presence
Mike doesn’t stop with the storm on the Sea of Galilee. He reminds us of other storms in Scripture where God showed up:
Job’s Storm of Suffering
Job lost everything—children, wealth, health. His friends accused him. His wife told him to curse God and die.
But God never left Job. And in the end, God restored him and revealed Himself in deeper ways than Job had known before.
The lesson: Sometimes God allows stripping so He can reveal more of Himself.
Jonah’s Storm of Disobedience
Jonah ran from God. God sent a storm. Jonah was thrown overboard and swallowed by a fish.
Even in Jonah’s rebellion, God didn’t abandon him. God disciplined him, redirected him, and gave him another chance.
The lesson: Even storms caused by our own disobedience can become opportunities for God’s redemption.
Paul’s Storm on the Way to Rome
Paul was a prisoner being transported to Rome. A violent storm threatened to destroy the ship and everyone on it.
But God sent an angel to Paul with a message: everyone would survive because Paul had to stand before Caesar.
The lesson: When God has a purpose for you, no storm can destroy you before you fulfill it.
Peter’s Storm of Walking on Water
The disciples were in a boat again (they really should have avoided boats). Jesus came walking on the water. Peter asked to join Him.
Peter walked on water—until he looked at the waves instead of Jesus. Then he started to sink.
But Jesus immediately reached out and caught him.
The lesson: When you take your eyes off Jesus, you’ll start sinking. But He’s always close enough to catch you.
Practical Ways to Find Jesus in Your Storm
This Mike Eells sermon isn’t just theological truth—it’s practical help for real-life storms. Here’s how to apply it:
Step 1: Stop Bailing and Start Praying
The disciples’ first instinct was to bail water—to fix the problem themselves. When that didn’t work, then they went to Jesus.
We do the same thing. We try everything except prayer first. Then when we’re exhausted and desperate, we finally cry out to God.
Your move: Make Jesus your first call, not your last resort.
When the storm hits, your first response should be: “Jesus, help me.”
Not after you’ve tried everything else. Not when you’ve exhausted all your options. Right away.
Step 2: Remember Who’s in the Boat
The disciples forgot something crucial: the boat couldn’t sink with Jesus in it.
Yes, they were taking on water. Yes, it looked bad. But as long as Jesus was there, they were going to make it to the other side.
Jesus had already said, “Let’s go to the other side.” Not “Let’s get halfway there and drown.” Their destination was guaranteed because of who was with them.
Your move: Remind yourself daily who’s with you.
Wake up and say: “Jesus is with me today.” Face your challenge and declare: “Jesus is with me in this.” Go to bed saying: “Jesus was with me today, and He’ll be with me tomorrow.”
Step 3: Speak Truth to Your Fear
When fear rises, you have two options:
- Let fear tell you lies about God
- Tell fear the truth about God
Mike emphasizes this in his finding Jesus in difficult times message: you must actively combat fear with truth.
Your move: Create a list of truth statements based on Scripture.
Examples:
- “I am not alone. Jesus promised never to leave me.” (Hebrews 13:5)
- “This storm won’t last forever. Weeping may last for the night, but joy comes in the morning.” (Psalm 30:5)
- “God works all things together for good for those who love Him.” (Romans 8:28)
- “No weapon formed against me will prosper.” (Isaiah 54:17)
- “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” (Philippians 4:13)
When fear screams, read these truths out loud.
Step 4: Look for Jesus in Unexpected Places
Sometimes Jesus shows up in ways we don’t expect:
- Through a friend’s phone call at just the right moment
- Through a Scripture that jumps off the page
- Through provision that comes from an unexpected source
- Through peace in the middle of chaos that doesn’t make sense
Your move: Keep a “Jesus showed up” journal.
Write down every time you see evidence of God’s presence or provision. When the storm gets overwhelming, read it. Remind yourself that the God who showed up before will show up again.
Step 5: Trust the Timing
Jesus didn’t calm the storm at the first sign of trouble. He let it build. He let the disciples get scared. He let them reach the end of themselves.
Then He spoke.
Why? Because if He had calmed it immediately, they might have thought they could have handled it themselves. The intensity of the storm revealed how desperately they needed Him.
Your move: Stop demanding God’s timetable and trust His timing.
He’s not late. He’s not asleep. He’s not indifferent. He’s working on a schedule you can’t see, and His timing is always perfect.
When You’re in the Middle of Your Storm Right Now
Maybe you’re reading this and thinking, “This is nice, but my storm is really bad.”
I hear you. Some storms are brutal:
The storm of grief – You lost someone you can’t imagine life without
The storm of betrayal – Someone you trusted destroyed you
The storm of chronic illness – You’re tired of fighting, tired of hurting, tired of being tired
The storm of financial ruin – You’ve lost everything and don’t know how to recover
The storm of depression – You can barely get out of bed and the darkness feels endless
The storm of addiction – You keep trying to quit and keep failing
The storm of broken dreams – Life looks nothing like you planned and you’re grieving what won’t be
This Christ’s presence in trials message doesn’t minimize your pain. But it does offer you something you desperately need: hope.
Not false hope. Not naive optimism. But biblical, rock-solid hope grounded in who Jesus is and what He’s promised.
The Questions Your Storm Is Making You Ask
“Does Jesus even care?”
Yes. Absolutely yes.
“Cast all your anxiety on Him because He cares for you.” (1 Peter 5:7)
His sleeping in the boat wasn’t indifference—it was confidence. He knew the outcome.
“Is Jesus powerful enough to help me?”
Yes. The same Jesus who spoke and the storm obeyed is the same Jesus who:
- Spoke creation into existence
- Calmed the raging sea
- Raised the dead
- Conquered sin and death
- Rose from the grave
Nothing you’re facing is too big for Him.
“Will Jesus abandon me?”
Never.
“I will never leave you nor forsake you.” (Hebrews 13:5)
This isn’t a maybe. It’s a promise. Jesus doesn’t do fair-weather relationships. He doesn’t bail when things get hard.
“How long will this storm last?”
Honestly? We don’t know. Some storms pass quickly. Others last for seasons.
But here’s what we do know: the storm won’t last forever, but Jesus’s presence will.
“What if I don’t make it through this?”
With Jesus in your boat, you will.
Not unscathed. Not unchanged. Not without scars.
But you will make it to the other side.
Your Action Plan Starting Right Now
Don’t just read this and move on. Here’s what to do:
Today:
- Name your storm – What’s threatening to sink you right now?
- Cry out to Jesus – Literally say out loud, “Jesus, I need You in this storm”
- Read Mark 4:35-41 – Let the story sink in. You’re the disciples. Jesus is still Jesus.
- Write one truth – Pick one Scripture about God’s presence and write it where you’ll see it
This Week:
- Listen to the full sermon – Experience Mike Eells’ complete message here
- Start a “Jesus showed up” journal – Document evidence of His presence
- Share with someone – Tell one person about your storm and ask them to pray
- Memorize a promise – Pick one verse about God’s faithfulness and commit it to memory
Going Forward:
- Change your first response – Make prayer your first move, not your last resort
- Look for Jesus daily – He’s present; you just have to train your eyes to see Him
- Help others in their storms – Your experience can be someone else’s encouragement
- Remember: this isn’t forever – The storm will pass, but God’s presence is eternal
The Bottom Line
Life’s storms are real. They’re scary. They’re overwhelming. They make you question everything.
But this Jesus is with us in storms sermon reminds us of the truth that changes everything:
You’re not alone in the boat.
Jesus isn’t on the shore watching. He’s not in heaven distant and unconcerned. He’s not too busy with bigger problems.
He’s right there with you in the middle of the chaos. And the boat can’t sink with Jesus in it.
The waves might crash. The wind might howl. The water might pour in.
But Jesus is still Jesus.
And His three words—“Peace, be still”—are still powerful enough to calm any storm.
So cry out to Him. He’s listening. Reach for Him. He’s close. Trust Him. He’s faithful.
Your storm doesn’t get the final word. Jesus does.
And He’s already declared the ending: you’re going to make it to the other side.
Hold on. Help is in the boat.
Experience the Full Message
This blog post only captures a fraction of the hope and encouragement in Mike Eells’ message. To hear the complete sermon with all the biblical depth, personal stories, and practical application, listen to the full teaching here.
Whether your storm is just beginning or you’ve been in it for years, this Mike Eells sermon will anchor your soul in the truth of Christ’s presence.
About Atlantic Gospel Chapel: We’re a church family in Atlantic, Iowa, committed to pointing people to Jesus—especially in life’s hardest moments. We believe the Bible offers real hope for real storms, and we’d love to walk through yours with you. You’re not alone.
