Peace! Be Still!

Artist: Shawn Costello

In the wee hours of the morning, I woke up and had many things racing through my mind! Thoughts of yesterdays and things long ago forgotten. Present things and things to come…I placed my hand on my forehead and said to myself, “Peace. Be still!” All was calm and quiet!

Sometimes the storm isn’t just in the elements. Peter was in a boat in the middle of a severe storm. Then he saw Jesus walking on the water in the middle of a raging storm. Now think about this. Lightning flashing all around, thunder roaring, winds blowing so fierce the waters were turbulent and crashing all around them. Would you step out of the safety of a boat and try to walk on the water? What was he thinking? The other disciples pulling him back and begging him not to do it!

But something compelled him to do just that! (That something is Jesus!)

He climbed out of the boat and began to walk on the water, to Jesus. As long as he kept his eyes on him and not on the raging storm he was walking just fine. If you’ve attended Sunday School and Church at all, you’ve more than likely heard the story. Peter looked at his circumstances and realized he was in over his head, literally. So, what did he do? He cried out, “Jesus! Save me!”

And of course, Jesus did, save him. Although Jesus said to all of them, “Oh ye of little faith, why did you doubt?”

Another time Jesus was sleeping in a boat. A great storm came up and the disciples, afraid, woke him and said, “Teacher don’t you care that we perish?” Jesus woke up and rebuked the winds and said to the sea, “Peace, be still!”

Jesus, in the boat spoke to the elements and said, “Peace! Be Still!” The winds died down. The lightning and thunder ceased. The sea obeyed and all was quiet and calm. Again, Jesus rebuked them, and asked, ““Why are you so fearful? How is it that you have no faith?”

Are you in a raging storm? Are you numb and fearful with thoughts of how you’ll ever get out of the storm. Afraid, alone, surrounded by the darkest night and knowing there is no way out? Tired and frightened of losing your very life? Jesus will ask you, “Why are you so fearful? How is it that you have no faith?”

If you are a child of the living God, and I say this without condemnation. You know that Faith pleases God! For we walk by faith and not by sight! Stop looking at the circumstances. Stop listening to the lies of the enemy. And Start, Praising God! Remember all the times he has saved you and delivered you and brought you out of many dire circumstances. He will do it again!

PEACE! BE STILL! PEACE! BESTILL! PEACE! BE STILL!

It is by faith we overcome. Look full into the face of Jesus today and receive His Peace. Breathe it in! Feel the refreshing? His arms are wide-open for you, all you have to do is accept it!

The storm is raging but you don’t have to join in! You can rise above the storm by soaring on the wings of Peace!! Jesus, Is, The Prince of Peace! Nothing broken, nothing shattered! Totally and completely made whole!

~Marla Shaw O’Neill August 21, 2023

But 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?”

 Then He arose and rebuked the wind, and said to the sea, “Peace, be still!” And the wind ceased and there was a great calm. But He said to them, “Why are you so fearful? How is it that you have no faith?” Mark 4:38-40 New King James Version

 Jesus Walks on the Sea

Immediately Jesus made His disciples get into the boat and go before Him to the other side, while He sent the multitudes away. And when He had sent the multitudes away, He went up on the mountain by Himself to pray. Now when evening came, He was alone there. But the boat was now in the middle of the sea, tossed by the waves, for the wind was contrary.

Now in the fourth watch of the night Jesus went to them, walking on the sea. And when the disciples saw Him walking on the sea, they were troubled, saying, “It is a ghost!” And they cried out for fear.

 But immediately Jesus spoke to them, saying, “Be of good cheer! It is I; do not be afraid.”

And Peter answered Him and said, “Lord, if it is You, command me to come to You on the water.”

So, He said, “Come.” And when Peter had come down out of the boat, he walked on the water to go to Jesus. But when he saw that the wind was boisterous, he was afraid; and beginning to sink he cried out, saying, “Lord, save me!”

And immediately Jesus stretched out His hand and caught him, and said to him, “O you of little faith, why did you doubt?” Matthew 14:22-31 New King James Version