“They were all terrified when they saw him. But Jesus spoke to them at once. “Don’t be afraid,” he said. “Take courage! I am here! ”” Mark‬ ‭6:50‬

This verse comes from a story in which the disciples are going on ahead of Jesus and trying to cross the lake in a a boat.

Jesus stayed behind to pray and, no doubt, spend some time with his father. I think he may also have wanted to give his friends yet another faith test.

Later on, when it was almost daybreak and the disciples have been working all night to try to cross the lake Jesus went out to meet them. They were tired, exhausted and scared.

It’s frustrating when you try to make progress and you feel like you’re making no progress at all, or even going backwards.

The wind was blowing. The waves were beating against the boat. No doubt the disciples arms were aching. Then, Jesus comes strolling along! The disciples were terrified! But Jesus called out to them and said, don’t worry, I’m here!

Sometimes the storms of life become so severe that we totally lose sight of everything else because our only focus is on making it through the storm.

This verse reminds us that Jesus is always here. Always here to walk through the storm. Always here to encourage us. Always here to comfort us! He won’t always calm the storms around us, but he often calms the storm within us. And sometimes that’s better.