Even the Winds and Sea Obey Him: An Encouragement in Stormy Markets

Written by Michael Cranford, Partner and Sr. Private Wealth Advisor in Blue Trust’s Charlotte Office

“And when he got into the boat, his disciples followed him. And behold, there arose a great storm on the sea, so that the boat was being swamped by the waves; but he was asleep. And they went and woke him, saying, ‘Save us, Lord; we are perishing.’ And he said to them, ‘Why are you afraid, O you of little faith?’ Then he rose and rebuked the winds and sea, and there was a great calm. And the men marveled, saying ‘What sort of man is to this, that even winds and sea obey him?’” (Matthew 8:23-27)

When my oldest son was around 10 years old, a small tornado (probably smaller than you’re thinking) blew across our small farm property. The storm took out a number of trees and brought with it a brief but intense spell of wind and rain. As is typical of tornados, the weather shifted in what felt like an instant. Our garage door was open when the storm started. The door’s motor was old and had recently broken (these sorts of maintenance items always have the best timing), leaving me to manually close the garage door. As I pulled at the door, a strong gust of wind blew me back for a moment and brought a large amount of rain into the garage. Seconds later, the garage door was shut, I was wet but otherwise unharmed. However, when I turned around, my son was standing there wide-eyed. It was clear that he was troubled by the scene he had just witnessed.

During the following weeks and months, my son developed an intense fascination with the daily forecast. He would pick up on changes in wind patterns and had strong opinions about dark clouds in the sky. Now that he had experienced the impact those clouds could bring, he was keen to avoid any future run-ins with Mother Nature’s tougher side.

The disciples knew a similar fear. The Sea of Galilee, located in the Jordan Rift Valley, is susceptible to sudden and intense storms due to its geography. Andrew, Peter, James, and John were known to be fishermen by trade (Matthew 4:18-22), and Thomas, Nathaniel, and Philip were also familiar with fishing (John 21:2-8). These men were well acquainted with the sea threatening them in our selected passage above.

For men like these to fear perishing in the sea, this storm must have been formidable and more intense than the little tornado that blew some rain into my garage. Yet, amid that legitimate danger, we find our Savior sleeping. The disciples clearly felt that He was capable of changing the storm’s course, as they asked Him to “DO SOMETHING!” And do something He did. He rebuked the winds and sea alike and brought “great calm.”

Does the recent market volatility have you wide-eyed? Do you feel like the waves are overtaking your boat? Fear not: Jesus is Lord over the winds and the sea. He is Lord over the stock market, over economic policy, over retirement decisions, over health crises, over family divisions, over job loss. In short, He is Lord over whatever troubles you. “What sort of man is this, that even winds and sea obey him?” He is our Savior, and He loves and cares for us. When my wide-eyed son saw me turn around wet with rain, he didn’t need me to explain the EF-Scale or how this storm he witnessed was nothing compared to others I had seen. What he needed was a hug and reassurance. He needed “great calm.”

Seasons of market volatility have the tendency to distract us and cause uneasiness. Jesus speaks to these concerns in the Parable of the Sower (Matthew 13:1-23) when he describes the seed sown among thorns as “the cares of the world and the deceitfulness of riches choke the word, and it proves unfruitful.” (Matthew 13:22) If stock market charts and VIX stats are monopolizing your thoughts and time, allow me to offer a few alternate actions to consider:

• Do good. In I Timothy 6, this instruction is Paul’s first admonition to those with wealth. The pursuit of righteousness is a great antidote to fear, worry, and anxiety (Philippians 4:6-9). It may allow you to experience market volatility through a new lens.
• Be rich in good works. In Matthew 6:19, Jesus spoke of the inherent trouble with storing up earthly treasure…it tends to be destroyed by moth and rust…or perhaps trade policy, threat of war, or recession fears. But treasure in heaven, built by doing good, is preserved for eternity. It’s the only “investment” where you can maximize your return with zero risk.
• Be ready to give and willing to share. While this may be a season of uncertainty for the market and your accounts, it could be a time of job loss or financial hardship for someone else. When fear of financial loss creeps in, look for ways to help others and to rest in the truth that God owns it all. We are merely stewards of our earthly wealth.
• Beware of false prophecy. When markets start to tumble, some people position themselves as having the unique ability to predict the future and may subject their audience to fear-mongering.  Although markets do correct, economies do slump, and portfolios do decrease in value, the final outcome is often not as bad as we envision. Having a long-term perspective can help investors weather the inevitable storms of the market.
• Seek encouragement. At Blue Trust, we help our clients walk through times of abundance and times of concern (Philippians 4). We’re here to listen and help you navigate your financial decisions and uncertain markets. One of our greatest joys is partnering with you on your financial journey. Feel free to reach out to your advisor directly, or if you don’t have a Blue Trust advisor, connect with us at info@bluetrust.com or call 800.841.0362.
• Finally, receive the grace God gives you for each day. The Lord has told us that tomorrow will worry about itself (Matthew 6:34) and His grace is sufficient for today (2 Corinthians 12:9). God gave enough manna to the Israelites for the day, not for the week, not for the month (Exodus 16:19). If you feel like you can’t handle what might happen tomorrow, it’s because you’re not meant to—not yet. But you will. God may not have given you grace for those moments or events yet, but when you face struggles, He will give you the strength and wisdom when it’s time, and He will not leave your side. Jesus may be sleeping on the boat, but in due course, He will answer your question, “What sort of man is this, that even winds and sea obey him?”

 

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