How to Win in Dangerous Situations | Bible Study | Mark 4: 35 – 41

Oct 18, 2023 | by Mike Prah

How to Win in Dangerous Situations | Bible Study | Mark 4: 35 – 41

When you're right in the middle of a storm, it's difficult to appreciate it’s benefit. However, in the past, painful circumstances have helped God's people.
God often uses life's storms to demonstrate that we can trust Him. When God brings you through a dangerous situation, our trust and confidence in Him grows. God's faithfulness in previous storms influences our ability to navigate current and future storms successfully.
Sometimes we can handle one big painful circumstance, maybe two. What is it about having a lot of big life storms in our lives that can knock us down?

Mark 4:35-41 (NLT)

35 As evening came, Jesus said to his disciples, “Let’s cross to the other side of the lake.” 36 So they took Jesus in the boat and started out, leaving the crowds behind. 37 But soon a fierce storm came up. High waves were breaking into the boat, and it began to fill with water. 38 Jesus was sleeping at the back of the boat with his head on a cushion. The disciples woke him up, shouting, “Teacher, don’t you care that we’re going to drown?” 39 When Jesus woke up, he rebuked the wind and said to the waves, “Silence! Be still!” Suddenly the wind stopped, and there was a great calm. 40 Then he asked them, “Why are you afraid? Do you still have no faith?” 41 The disciples were absolutely terrified. “Who is this man?” they asked each other. “Even the wind and waves obey him!”

HOW TO WIN IN TOUGH SITUATIONS

1. I MUST REALIZE THE PROBABILITY OF HARDSHIPS IN MY LIFE

“As evening came, Jesus said to his disciples, “Let’s cross to the other side of the lake.” So they took Jesus in the boat and started out, leaving the crowds behind. But soon a fierce storm came up. High waves were breaking into the boat, and it began to fill with water.” Mark 4:35-37 (NLT)

“My friends, do not be surprised at the terrible trouble which now comes to test you. Do not think that something strange is happening to you.” 1 Peter 4:12 (NCV)

It is a guarantee that we will face difficulties in this world, just as Jesus did. Nothing happens perfectly because we live on a broken planet, and no one is perfect.

However, because of Christ's strength and presence in our lives, we are called to endure hardships and come out victorious so that we may be a beacon of light in a world that desperately needs it.

2. I MUST EMBRACE THE PRESENCE OF GOD IN MY HARDSHIP

“But soon a fierce storm came up. High waves were breaking into the boat, and it began to fill with water. 38 Jesus was sleeping at the back of the boat with his head on a cushion …” Mark 4:37-38 (NLT)

Believers are never alone in tough times. God is with us through difficult seasons. That does not mean it will be an easy road. But we are never alone.

“Despite all these things, overwhelming victory is ours through Christ, who loved us. And I am convinced that nothing can ever separate us from God’s love. Neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither our fears for today nor our worries about tomorrow—not even the powers of hell can separate us from God’s love … Indeed, nothing in all creation will ever be able to separate us from the love of God that is revealed in Christ Jesus our Lord.” Romans 8:37-39 (NLT)

“When you go through deep waters, I will be with you. When you go through rivers of difficulty, you will not drown. When you walk through the fire of oppression, you will not be burned up; the flames will not consume you. For I am the Lord, your God …” Isaiah 43:2-3 (NLT)

“God has said, “I will never fail you. I will never abandon you.” Hebrews 13:5 (NLT)

“You can go to bed without fear; you will lie down and sleep soundly. You need not be afraid of sudden disaster or the destruction that comes upon the wicked, for the Lord is your security. He will keep your foot from being caught in a trap.” Proverbs 3:24-26 (NLT)

3. I MUST RECEIVE GOD’S GIFT OF PEACE IN MY HARDSHIP

“Soon a fierce storm came up. High waves were breaking into the boat, and it began to fill with water. Jesus was sleeping at the back of the boat with his head on a cushion. The disciples woke him up, shouting, “Teacher, don’t you care that we’re going to drown?” When Jesus woke up, He rebuked the wind and said to the waves, “Silence! Be still!” Suddenly the wind stopped, and there was a great calm.” Mark 4: 37-39 (NLT)

“God rules the raging of the sea; When its waves rise, You still them.” Psalm 89:9 (NKJV)

“God stilled the storm to a whisper; the waves of the sea were hushed.” Psalm 107:29 (NIV)

“Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all He has done. Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:6-7 (NLT)

Inner peace is a great gift from God. That peace helps us understand the difficult situation and take suitable action. God’s peace and relaxation help us through them hardships and gives us the wisdom to know what to do.

“I am leaving you with a gift—peace of mind and heart. And the peace I give is a gift the world cannot give. So don’t be troubled or afraid.” John 14:27 (NLT)

4. I MUST REALIZE THE PURPOSE OF HARDSHIPS

“Before I suffered, I did wrong, but now I obey your word.” Psalm 119:67 (NCV)

“My suffering was good for me, for it taught me to pay attention to your decrees.” Psalm 119:71 (NLT)

FOUR PURPOSES OF GOD IN OUR SUFFERING – 4Rs

We rarely know the micro reasons for our sufferings, but the Bible does provide faith-sustaining macro reasons. We rarely know the micro reasons for our sufferings, but the Bible does provide faith-sustaining macro reasons. We rarely know the micro reasons for our sufferings, but the Bible does provide faith-sustaining macro reasons.

A. Repentance

Suffering is a wake-up call to stop valuing anything on earth above God.

Jesus: “What about the eighteen people who died when the tower in Siloam fell on them? Were they the worst sinners in Jerusalem? No, and I tell you again that unless you repent, you will perish, too.” Luke 13:4-5 (NLT)

It is unknown why the tower in question was constructed, nor when the event in question occurred. It is likely that the Savior used the illustration not long ago, because the manner in which he refers to it suggests that it was fresh in the minds of those to whom he spoke.[1]

B. Reliance

Suffering is a call to trust God rather than the mechanisms of this world that sustain life.

“We think you ought to know, dear brothers and sisters, about the trouble we went through in the province of Asia. We were crushed and overwhelmed beyond our ability to endure, and we thought we would never live through it. 9 In fact, we expected to die. But as a result, we stopped relying on ourselves and learned to rely only on God, who raises the dead.” Corinthians 1:8-9 (NLT)

C. Righteousness

Suffering is the discipline of our loving heavenly Father so that we come to share in His righteousness and holiness.

“For the Lord disciplines those He loves, and He punishes each one He accepts as His child.” Hebrews 12:6 (NLT)

“God’s discipline is always good for us, so that we might share in his holiness. No discipline is enjoyable while it is happening—it’s painful! But afterward there will be a peaceful harvest of right living for those who are trained in this way.” Hebrews 12:10-12 (NLT)

D. Reward

Suffering produces a great reward for us on earth, and when we reach heaven, we will receive a thousandfold reward for every loss here.

“In His kindness God called you to share in His eternal glory by means of Christ Jesus. So after you have suffered a little while, He will restore, support, and strengthen you, and He will place you on a firm foundation.” I Peter 5:10 (NLT)

“This small and temporary trouble we suffer will bring us a tremendous and eternal glory, much greater than the trouble.” 2 Corinthians 4:17 (GN)

HOW TO WIN IN TOUGH SITUATIONS

I MUST REALIZE THE PROBABILITY OF HARDSHIPS IN MY LIFE

I MUST EMBRACE THE PRESENCE OF GOD IN MY HARDSHIP

I MUST RECEIVE GOD’S GIFT OF PEACE IN MY HARDSHIP

I MUST REALIZE THE PURPOSE OF HARDSHIPS

[1] Albert Barnes, Notes on the New Testament: Luke & John, ed. Robert Frew (London: Blackie & Son), 87.

How To Win in Dangerous Situations – Pt 2 | Bible Study | Mark 4: 35 – 41

5. I MUST APPRECIATE AND APPLY THE PRODUCT OF STORMS IN MY LIFE

Everything God does in our lives, including suffering, is for our benefit. Though they never seem pleasant at the time, hard times produce wonderful benefits in our lives.

“When Jesus woke up, He rebuked the wind and said to the waves, “Silence! Be still!” Suddenly, the wind stopped, and there was a great calm. Then He asked them, “Why are you afraid? Do you still have no faith?” The disciples were absolutely terrified. “Who is this man?” they asked each other. “Even the wind and waves obey Him.” Mark 4: 39-41 (NLT)

8 BENEFITS OF GOING THROUGH HARD TIMES AS A BELIEVER

A. Affliction Drives Us to God’s Word

“Before I suffered, I did wrong, but now I obey your word.” Psalm 119:67 (NCV)

The psalmist did not always grasp the sweetness of God’s law. In fact, he was so blind to the beauty of divine revelation that it took hardship and suffering to shake him up and make him eager to know and keep God’s Word.
The psalmist learned nothing from God’s Word until he went through hardship. As sinful humans, we can grasp such a truth. We might not change our behavior even if we are constantly reminded of the right and proper thing to do.
However, only through pain do we learn and change our behavior to reflect what we know to be right. Oftentimes, we start doing the right things in life only to stop the suffering.

“My suffering was good for me, for it taught me to pay attention to your decrees.” Psalm 119:71 (NLT)

B. Affliction Drives Us to God in Prayer

We tend not to need God when times are good, and everything is going our way. However, desperate times necessitate desperate prayer. When we are powerless to change our circumstances, we cry out to our Savior, who rescues us from our distress.

“Are any of you suffering hardships? You should pray.” James 5:13a (NLT)

“… They cried out to the Lord in their trouble, and He delivered them from their distress.” Psalm 107:6 (NIV)

C. Affliction Humbles Us

Afflictions make us realize how frail we are. It keeps us in our place. It serves as a reminder that everything we have is a gift. Pride causes one to stumble, but God gives grace to the humble. Affliction prepares us for God’s grace if we stay humble.

“… I have received such wonderful revelations from God. So to keep me from becoming proud, I was given a thorn in my flesh, a messenger from Satan to torment me and keep me from becoming proud.” 2 Corinthians 12:7 (NLT)

D. Affliction Makes Us Rely on Christ’s Power

When we’ve tried everything, and nothing has worked, we usually look to Jesus, who is always ready to demonstrate His mighty power in us and rescue us from our troubles.

“Three different times, I begged the Lord to take it away. Each time He said, “My grace is all you need. My power works best in weakness.” So now I am glad to boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ can work through me.” 2 Corinthians 12:8-9 (NLT)

E. Affliction Brings us the Comfort of God Himself

As well meaning as others are, there are times when no human words can comfort. But God Himself comforts us when we come to Him in our pain. The God of ALL COMFORT, the One who knows exactly what our broken lives need, comforts us in ALL our affliction. The One who fashioned our hearts knows our every drop of sadness and knows the medicine we need to comfort us.

“All praise to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. God is our merciful Father and the source of all comfort. He comforts us in all our troubles …” 2 Corinthians 1:3 (NLT)

F. Affliction Gives Us Compassion For Others

“All praise to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. God is our merciful Father and the source of all comfort. He comforts us in all our troubles so that we can comfort others. When they are troubled, we will be able to give them the same comfort God has given us.” 2 Corinthians 1:3-4 (NLT)

When someone else has been through what we are going through, their words can be very comforting. Though your pain is difficult right now, God will use you to bring His comfort to someone experiencing the same hardship.

G. Affliction Produces Endurance and Patience

The only way to develop patience and endurance is by being placed in situations that require it. But it will be worth it in the end because we will enter heaven by patiently enduring in faith.

“We can rejoice, too, when we run into problems and trials, for we know that they help us develop endurance.” Romans 5:3 (NLT)

H. Affliction Reminds Us That This World Is Not Our Home

As many blessings as this world has, it is not our home. Affliction weans us from this world, reminds us how temporary it is, and makes us long for heaven, a perfect paradise where there is no suffering. On that day, we will see Jesus face to face, and He will personally wipe away every tear from our eyes.

“For this world is not our permanent home; we are looking forward to a home yet to come.” Hebrews 13:14 (NLT)

6. I MUST REMEMBER GOD’S PROMISES FOR MY HARDSHIPS

A. God’s Word Guarantees Us A Safe Landing– Mark 4:35

“As evening came, Jesus said to his disciples, “Let’s cross to the other side of the lake.” Mark 4:35 (NLT)

B. God’s Word Announces That The Savior Is On Board On Stormy Boat

C. God’s Word Affirms That Faith in God Drives Out Fear

“When Jesus woke up, he rebuked the wind and said to the waves, “Silence! Be still!” Suddenly the wind stopped, and there was a great calm. Then he asked them, “Why are you afraid? Do you still have no faith?” Mark 4:39-40 (NLT)

“When I am afraid, I put my trust in you … In God I trust and am not afraid.” Psalm 56:3-4 (NIV)

“God is my savior; I will trust Him and not be afraid. The Lord gives me power and strength; He is my Savior.” Isaiah 12:2 (GN)