Faith the Facts

“Then He saw them straining at rowing, for the wind was against them. Now about the fourth watch of the night He came to them, walking on the sea, and would have passed them by. And when they saw Him walking on the sea, they supposed it was a ghost, and cried out; for they all saw Him and were troubled. But immediately He talked with them and said to them, ‘Be of good cheer! It is I; do not be afraid.’ Then He went up into the boat to them, and the wind ceased.”

Mark 6:48–51 (NKJV)

Jesus sent His disciples ahead of Him across the lake. They obeyed, but halfway through their trip, a storm rose up and pinned them in place. They rowed with all their might, expending every ounce of effort, and still got nowhere. Stuck in the middle, they were exhausted, frustrated, and spiritually vulnerable.

Jesus, meanwhile, was praying on the mountain, but He saw them straining. He knew what they were facing. And He chose that moment, in the middle of their fear, to walk out to them on the water. His miracle was not only about showing power over nature, but about showing His presence in their storm.

The disciples’ reaction? Panic. Instead of recognizing Him, they assumed the worst: “It’s a ghost!” Fatigue and fear had warped their interpretation of reality. How quickly we do the same when stuck in the middle between where we’ve been and where we hope to go. The job search that drags on. The relationship that doesn’t heal. The bills that never seem to diminish. We strain, but we stay stuck. And in that middle space, fear can twist our vision, convincing us God is absent when He is actually closer than ever.

Here’s the encouragement: faith the facts. Before letting fear dictate your response, interrogate your assumptions. Is this really the end? Has God really abandoned me? Or could this be the very place He is showing His strength?

The fact is, He is always with you. The fact is, He has already carried you through storms before. The fact is, nothing is impossible for Him.

So when the middle feels endless, faith the facts. Jesus still comes walking across the waves. And when He climbs into your boat, the wind ceases.