LENT Day 11

Lent Devotional

Day 11 - Monday, March 2, 2026

"When Life Feels Out of Control"

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Scripture: Mark 4:37-38 & Psalm 46:1

When I read these two passages, I was hard pressed to connect them. Then I read them again.

NOTHING! (Has this ever happened to you?) Then, I prayed and read them again.

Okay, God, I get it.

Mark 4:37-38 says, "A furious squall came up, and the waves broke over the boat, so that it was nearly swamped. Jesus was in the stern, sleeping on a cushion. The disciples woke him and said to him, ’Teacher, don’t you care if we drown?" 

The 12 are panicking, stressed, worried, and Jesus he was sleeping! What? SLEEPING! The disciples question his feelings for them, ’Don’t you even care?’ Jesus sleeping was not indifference to what was happening. He was not absent, He was not unaware, He was silent. He was silent because he was confident. The storm did not threaten His authority. The chaos did not conceal His presence. Sometimes Jesus doesn’t calm the storm immediately, sometimes He lets us see that He is still in the boat with us.

In Psalms 46:1 ’God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble.’ , we are reminded that God is not a distant or an occasional help. He is ALWAYS with us. Giving us His strength and power to get through the storm.

Silence does not equal absence. Stillness does not equal abandonment. In Mark, the disciples measure Jesus’ care by His activity, but the Psalm reminds us His presence is our refuge-even before the wind stops.

So, today if you are in a season where heaven feels quiet:

• He is still in the boat.

• He is still Lord over the waves.

• He is still your refuge.

• He is ALWAYS present.

Faith grows when we trust not just what Jesus does, but where He is. And, He is with you, ALWAYS!

Prayer

Lord, I want to thank you for being our refuge and strength, a present help in all our troubles. Even when the storms are brewing and your voice feels quiet. For the one who feels like you are silent right now, steady their heart. Calm the fear that rises when answers don’t come quickly. Remind them that Your silence is not Your absence. You are near. You are aware. You care. And you love them. When the waves feel overwhelming, give us peace that rests like only You can give. Give us courage to rest while you are at work. Fill us with a quiet confidence that You are holding everything together. When the storm passes, may we give You all the Glory! Amen