Chapter 9: The Storm Within
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And he saith unto them, Why are ye fearful, O ye of little faith? Then he arose and rebuked the winds and the sea, and there was a great calm. Matthew 6.26 Peace, be still. In the same way that Jesus spoke these words over the waves and the storm, I too speak these words over the storms in my life. Peace, be still. When others come to me to bring up the magnitude of the storm I may be facing,

I will in all boldness remind them of the magnitude of my God. For there is nothing that I can't conquer. Because Jesus who lives inside of me has already conquered this world and every trouble in it. No matter the demonic attack around me, I will not be moved when I am standing face to face with Satan and his traps. Because of Jesus and his sacrifice,

I now possess more power than the darkest of enemies. Thank you, Jesus. Thank you that I am set free and that I also have the power to point people to you and your absolute freedom. In Jesus' name, amen. Stay tuned to immerse yourself in the greatest stories ever told from Pray.com's podcast, Heroes in the Bible. Hi, I'm Dr. Tony Evans, your host for Heroes in the Bible. Jesus.

If you've been enjoying this series, please write a review and let me know how this podcast has impacted your life. Welcome to The Greatest Story Ever Told. It is a tale of a shepherd's heart for his sheep, a father's love for his children, and a hero's triumph over death and darkness. This is a story that continues to shape and mold the world around us, bringing the divine heart of God right into the hearts of you and me. This episode is a declaration of strength to anyone who finds themselves trapped in a storm.

Storms take many forms in our lives. Sometimes they're outer storms where circumstances blow against us like wind against a ship. Other times they're inner storms where the sea of our emotions rage and seek to pull us into the abyss.

This episode is meant to encourage us that Jesus has power over all the storms in our lives. He cares deeply about you and his word is able to quell the waves that beat against the vessel of your soul. If you find yourself trapped in a wind and treading water today, I pray this episode will be an encouragement to you as well as a reminder that Jesus holds power over your circumstances. This episode will begin like every other with a prelude.

The people of Israel are trapped between oppression and destruction with seemingly no escape. Where will they turn when all seems lost? Who will save them from certain death? We will see that the same God who parted the seas also calms the storms. And the same God who calms the storms also wants to give you peace.

Allow this episode to speak to your heart. Think about your own storms and ask a simple question. Do I believe God cares about me enough to bring me peace? Join me after the episode as we unpack some themes and key moments. Here is episode 9, The Storm Within.

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Hey, it's Will Friedle. And Sabrina Bryan. And we're the hosts of the new podcast, Magical Rewind. You may know us from some of your favorite childhood TV movies like My Date with the President's Daughter. And the Cheetah Girls movies. Together we're sitting down to watch all the movies you grew up with and chat with some of your favorite stars and crew that made these iconic movies happen. So kick back, grab your popcorn, and join us. Listen to Magical Rewind on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts.

Brought to you by State Farm. Like a good neighbor, State Farm is there. Prelude to Chapter 9 Did you send us out here just so we could be slaughtered? Don't you even care? The Hebrew shouted. You have doomed us, Moses! The people of God were standing between a vast and raging sea and the entirety of Pharaoh's army.

Moses turned back to see thousands of chariots positioned at the top of a hill leading down to the sea. Pillars of smoke from the Lord consumed them, delaying them for a moment before they made their attack. Moses was panicking. He had led these people out on the command of God, yet here they were, standing between death by sea or death by sword. The wind howled on the coast, and the war cries of Pharaoh's horde was deafening.

Didn't we tell you just to leave us as slaves in Egypt?" The people shouted. Their words of doubt cut deep. Moses was accountable for their lives. "Have I led them to their death?" Moses thought to himself. "Have I been wrong this whole time?" He closed his eyes, ready to curl into himself. He looked at the raging sea. There was no way past him. Then he looked up at the chariots, consumed with smoke.

There was no way of fighting them. Moses looked at the people, and they were terrified. Women held their children close, and men trembled where they stood. Before Moses was the chosen leader of Israel, he was a shepherd. For the first time he saw them as frightened sheep. Moses clenched his fist around his staff. He climbed up to a tall rock beside the sea and held his staff high in the air. Do not fear, Moses shouted.

His voice was trembling, but loud. He could feel courage bubbling up from within. It was a fire in his bones. The words burst from him like a dam breaking. Stand firm, children of Israel. Look and see the salvation of your God. The wind picked up as Moses was speaking. A mighty tempest began to rumble in the clouds. Thunder burst from the heavens like war drums.

Moses looked back to see the wall of smoke dissipate. The armies of Pharaoh began their descent. They were hell-bent on slaughtering the men and capturing the women. The people began to scream, but Moses pointed back at the chariots and yelled, I want you to look at them. See their chariots of gold and their spears of bronze. Look upon the faces of your oppressors.

Moses jumped off the rock and ran through the crowd to the shore. The people were silent.

Moses closed his eyes and heard the voice of God rumble in his heart. It was like a lion ready to feast. "I will get glory over Pharaoh," God said. "Stretch out your hand, Moses. Stretch out your hand and behold." Moses opened his eyes and looked out at the vast seas. The wind was fierce.

Moses lifted up his staff with both hands high in the air. The wind blew in from the east, and the waters were divided before them. The people stood behind Moses, gasping at the wonders of God displayed over nature. The waters were like pillars on the right and left. The freed slaves of Egypt walked through the sea unharmed. Moses kept his arms raised, beholding the glory of God.

He was truly the creator of the universe. The wind and the waves bent to his will. They obeyed his voice. Even the seas knew he was the Lord. As the seas danced in place and the winds howled, the Egyptian army was closing the gap. The oppressors were closing in on them, seeking to take their lives. When every last man, woman, and child was safe on the other side, the waters fell on the army of chariots.

Chapter 9. The Storm Within Jesus regarded the crowd. There were thousands of them gathered by the shore of the Sea of Galilee. The heavy breeze whistled in from the vast waters as Jesus taught about the kingdom

By this point, Jesus had taught many things. People had traveled near and far to hear him speak. However, Jesus understood the state of every heart. Some would receive his words and others would reject them. Looking to the crowd, Jesus began to speak in parables. The sower went out to plant seeds in his field. He rose early in the morning, eager for the crop awaiting him.

As he spread the seed, some fell along the road beside the fields. The birds came and ate the seed up. Some seed fell upon hard and rocky ground. There was no soil to nurture the seed, so immediately it sprung up, but then it rotted since they had no depth. Other seeds fell by the thorns, where the weeds grew, and the weeds choked the life out of the grain.

Jesus smiled and held up his finger. Yet there was some seed who fell by the good soil. It was rich and fertile and perfect for growth. The seed that fell by the soil produced thirty, sixty, and a hundredfold. Jesus scanned the faces of the people standing on the shore. He knew exactly where the seeds were falling. The clouds were beginning to darken and the sun was hidden by the storm brewing in the horizon.

The crowds were beginning to depart to their homes. Those that lived on the coast understood the matter at hand. A storm such as this had the potential to rip the boat to shreds. "Master, we should leave for tonight," Andrew said. "A storm like this will not be kind to us." The other disciples nodded. Simon, James, and John were fishermen and understood the volatile nature of the sea. They respected the sea and feared its power.

Jesus looked at the horizon. About five miles out was the other side of the sea. The disciples watched Jesus' gaze closely. They could tell he was up to something. Jesus smirked at his disciples and hopped into the boat. "Come now, let us go to the other side," he said. The disciples stuttered and looked out on the horizon. They obviously did not see what Jesus saw.

They saw the gentle waves beginning to churn up into violent waves, and the gentle breeze was beginning to pick up speed. Nevertheless, they did as they were told and boarded Simon's fishing boat. Andrew hoisted the sails as Simon manned the rudder. James and John set the course and lifted the anchor. They were professionals and sailed the boat like a musician playing his lyre. For the first mile, the wind was blowing in the right direction for them to stay on course.

The boat rocked up and down to the volatile waves, and the rest of the disciples held onto the sides of the ship. John looked out at the horizon. On the other side of the sea were jagged mountain ranges. They were dark and foreboding. There had been rumors of a man that lived in the caves there. They said he had the strength of a thousand men, and he was able to break chains with his bare hands. The very thought sent shivers down John's spine.

The sun had set and Jesus' eyes were heavy. He had spent much of the day teaching, healing, and ministering to people. Even with the glaring storm ahead, Jesus moved to the stern of the ship where there was an underhang to sleep. He laid his head on the cushion and fell fast asleep. Simon looked at Jesus and then looked up at the clouds. They were turning as dark as coal. He looked at Andrew, concerned about their chances of making it to the other side.

Then, with almost no notice, the winds shifted. The boom of the ship swung violently as the winds changed course and all the disciples ran for cover. Andrew leapt towards the rope and kept the boom from swinging. Simon could feel the rudder pulling to the left on its own. "This is it," Peter thought. "This is the end." Two winds blew in from the east and the west, colliding like two titans at war.

Simon yelled at Andrew to lift the jib so he could steer properly, but the winds were flying in too many directions. The disciples did their best to sail in front of the storm, but its reach was wide and violent. The rain began to beat down like arrows onto the side of the boat. Andrew looked up at the sails. The wind was tearing them to shreds. As he looked up, a wave crashed against the side of the vessel, and Andrew went tumbling overboard.

James launched himself towards Andrew and grabbed his hand. The sea was like a beast, seeking to devour its prey. Simon's hands were bleeding from gripping the rudder. He could not hold on for much longer. Get the water out of the boat! Simon screamed, clamping the rudder between his arms and chest to keep it in place. The rest of the disciples used pails to scoop the water out of the boat. All the while, Jesus was sleeping underneath the safety of the stern.

Simon clenched his eyes. He was losing him. He was a man of the sea, but he could not see a way out of this. He looked at Jesus. He was angry. Angry that they could be perishing and he could be fast asleep. If he let go of the rudder, the entire boat would spiral out of control into the sea. He held tightly, blood dripping down into the pool of water beneath his feet. Master, he whispered to himself. Master, he said louder.

Jesus did not answer. "Master!" Simon yelled. "Did you send us out here just so we could drown? Don't you even care?" Simon yelled with a broken and frightened voice. Jesus arose from his sleep and looked at Simon. The wind was piercing and ripped against Jesus' body, yet he stood to his feet with complete composure. Simon watched as Jesus marched up to the front of the vessel.

Be still!

Jesus' voice rumbled like a lion's, and the waves were pushed back by the power of His word. The clouds fled like frightened animals. In an instant, the wind and waves ceased their onslaught. As the clouds cleared, the stars manifested themselves. Their twinkling lights danced in the reflection of the glassy sea below. The light from the stars bounced in thousands of directions. All was quiet.

and Jesus' face was revealed in the dimly lit night. He closed his eyes and breathed in deeply. Jesus turned back to his disciples and said, "Where is your faith?" Simon loosened his grip on the rudder and fell to his knees. The disciples looked at Jesus standing at the front of the boat. They bowed. It was as if nature itself had bowed to him. He was truly the creator of the universe.

The wind and the waves bent to his will. They obeyed his voice. Even the seas knew he was the Lord. The night was almost over, and the sun was rising over the glassy sea. The other side was within view. Like a mother placing her child down in its bed, the vessel was placed carefully onto shore by the sea. The disciples stumbled out of the boat, praising God they were alive. Matthew leapt out of the boat and puked.

All this was far more excitement than counting coins in the safety of his booth. The disciples embraced each other with exhausted laughter. Jesus and Simon exchanged glances. Simon felt comforted by his presence. Jesus had told them they would make it to the other side. They should have never doubted. Jesus laughed with his disciples and helped Matthew to his feet.

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shower, have breakfast, including some delicious Oscar Mayer bacon, and then drive to work and to think that the bacon would still be smoking. The point is, all of these take at least half a day to complete, and Oscar Mayer takes the best cuts and smokes them over real hardwood chips for a really long time until it tastes really good. So buy some Oscar Mayer thick-cut bacon now and enjoy. As the rest of the men made it off the boat, a deep and painful cry could be heard from the canyons.

The screams pierced through the mountains. John's eyes widened. The sound was bone-chilling. James turned his head as the sound of screams and broken chains grew louder and louder. The men looked to their right to see a beast of a man running towards them at full force. The man was naked and blood dripped from his torn apart chest. His eyes were filled with bloodthirst and his speed was unnatural, even with the heavy chains dangling from his wrists and ankles.

He huffed as he sprinted towards Jesus. John was the first to bolt back to the boat, and the rest of the disciples began to make a run for it. However, Jesus stepped forward. The man continued his pursuit like a predator, picking up speed with every step. Jesus marched forward. The disciples had just watched him tame the seas, yet this man seemed to be more dangerous than the tempest.

The man was closing the gap and Jesus continued to steadily march towards him. As he got close, the man leapt into the air to pounce on Jesus, but he did not get the chance. Jesus held out his hand, causing the man to jolt back to the ground. He writhed on the floor. The blood on his chest dripped down his entire body. Tears of pain and agony streamed down his face. He roared like a wounded animal. Jesus knew what was plaguing this man.

a demon had oppressed him. Jesus bent down to touch the man, but the demon leapt back onto his feet. He circled Jesus, cocking his head back and forward as he spoke. "Why have you come to me, Jesus, Son of the Most High?" the demon spoke. But Jesus could hear the man behind the voice. He was in pain and needed to be liberated. The man, much like the disciples moments earlier, was caught in an intense storm.

"You have come to torment me!" he screamed. He leapt forward again for another attack, but was quickly thwarted. He was not able to lay a hand on Jesus. Jesus tracked the demon as he circled around him. An ancient evil emanated from the demon, an evil Jesus was familiar with. "What is your name?" Jesus asked. The disciples were watching from afar. The demon looked ready to attack at any moment.

Yet Jesus was in no danger. Even the demons knew who their creator was. They dared not touch him. Our name is Legion, the demon replied. His voice was jagged, like the grinding of two stones. We are ready, he said with a laugh. A coarse smile curved on the sides of his mouth. He evoked numbers to intimidate Jesus. However, it would not work.

Jesus took a few steps forward, and the demon tripped and fell on his back. He was afraid of Jesus, and rightfully so. He stood in the presence of the Lion of Judah, the one who was prophesied to crush the serpent's head. The demon cowered in fear and fell to its knees. "Do not kill us," the demon said. "Do not cast us into the dark oblivion."

The demon gestured toward a herd of pigs grazing on bluffs overlooking the sea. "Send us into the pigs! Just do not cast us out completely!" The demons asked for mercy from Jesus. It was an odd exchange, and the disciples watched in awe. Jesus nodded. "Be out of this man! Away with you!" he commanded.

The man's body jolted backwards. He groaned and screamed for a moment. Then there was silence as the man lay face down in the sand. Jesus looked up to the bluffs overlooking the sea. The herd of swine began to circle in confusion, squealing. They writhed and whipped their bodies in every direction. Eventually, they all ran off the cliffs into the sea. All the demons were consumed, and the oppressors drowned in the bottom of the sea.

The pig herders ran after the falling pigs and watched them drown in the bottom of the sea. They looked down to see Jesus kneeling over the man. Legion had become a menace to the nearby community, so the herders ran back into town right away to tell people what had happened. Jesus looked over the man's mangled body. He was unconscious, but alive and free from his oppressor. Jesus gestured for the disciples to come and bring water and clothing.

They looked at one another, nudging each one to go first. Thaddeus came forward with some water, and James followed with a tunic. John trailed timidly behind. Jesus gave him water, bread, and clothed him. Andrew sewed up his scars best he could. He only had experience with fishing nets. After having food and water, the man began to think clearly. He stayed close to Jesus, clinging to him like a frightened child.

Eventually, the pig herders returned with a mob of villagers. They were expecting to drive out the man once again and show him back into the mountains. For years they had shunned him, even resorting to chaining him to the cave walls. Yet he had broken his chains every time and terrorized the village below. They found the man sitting with the disciples in his right mind. They approached with pitchforks and daggers in their hands.

The village leader approached the group with his sword in hand. "You must leave, please," the man begged. His knees were trembling and his sword was shaking in his hand. "Do not worry, friend," John replied with a grin. "Jesus has healed him. Look, this man is no longer possessed by that unclean spirit. He is in his right mind and there is nothing to fear." The people stirred as John said these things.

The leader nodded his head. "Yes, we can see that. The man is clearly healed. However, it is not him we are afraid of." The man gestured towards Jesus. The disciples tilted their heads in confusion. Jesus understood their fear.

They were more afraid of the power Jesus had than the danger the demon posed. Please, he said politely. What you have done is miraculous, but do not come back here. We want no more dealings with demons. So Jesus waved for his disciples to follow him, and they departed back to their boat. The men boarded the boat, and James and John were beginning to push the boat out to sea. Wait, take me with you. The healed man yelled as he came towards the boat.

The man came to the boat and Jesus jumped off and embraced him. He enveloped him with fatherly love and the man began to weep. He whispered into Jesus' shoulder. Tears streamed down his cheeks. The disciples' hearts broke as they watched. Jesus held his shoulders and looked him in the eye. He said,

Something grand has happened to you. Tell people the story. Tell them how you were lost and now you are found. Tell them of the great things that you witnessed. Tell them how much the Lord has done for you. The man wiped his nose and nodded. Jesus smiled and gave him one final embrace. He boarded the boat. James and John launched the boat into the sea and Simon held the rudder once again.

Andrew let the sails down, and the disciples departed. The man stood at the shoreline, watching as the boat faded into the horizon. For years his body was not his own. He was enslaved. Yet God had liberated him and delivered him from his oppressors. Legion was consumed, and his oppressors drowned in the bottom of the sea. He saw the great power that the Lord used against the demons, so he feared the Lord.

and believed in the Lord as his salvation. The disciples watched as the man shrunk out of view. The light wind was gliding over the glassy waters. The sail was perfectly taut, propelling the boat forward. They looked at Jesus. Silent, Jesus had calmed the seas and the wind. Nature itself bent to his will. Then the demons themselves quaked at his name. He was not just able to calm the wind and the waves, but also the storm within.

"'Jesus,' Philip said, "'what was the purpose of the sower and the seed parable?' There was a chuckle among the group. They had all been confused but too prideful to ask. Jesus smirked and pulled his hair back. He looked up at them and loved them. "'The sower is the one who preaches the word of God,' Jesus replied. The disciples huddled in and rested in the boat. They listened to Jesus with eyes half open. It had been a long night and a long day.'

They were content to be by Jesus' side, listening to his wisdom. The sun was setting, and the skies were splashed with a deep orange. Jesus continued, explaining the parable, saying, When some people hear, Satan immediately comes and takes away the word that was given to them. Those are the seeds that fell by the road. The rocky ground represents those who, when hearing the word, they immediately receive it with enthusiasm.

However, they have no depth, and the root is unable to endure. When persecution or trials arise, they, well, they shrink away. Jesus then darted his eyes towards Judas, who was silently listening in the back of the boat. Then there are those by the thorn. They hear the word, but all the fears, doubts, greed, and anxieties of the world choke them out, and they bear no fruit. The disciples were nodding.

They bounced up and down to the waves, and the light breeze continued to move the vessel forward. Then there are some that fell into good soil. They are the ones who hear, accept, and transform. They produce fruit for all to enjoy and is glorified in them. Jesus finished explaining, and many of the disciples blissfully fell asleep, all but Simon, who was staying the course.

When they had finally made it to shore, Simon tied up the boat and walked to the stern where Jesus had slept. He crawled under the overhang and fell into a deep sleep. Jesus watched the stars replace the setting sun. There was still a greater storm to be calmed. There was still a greater enemy to be vanquished. When the time came, he would be ready. He looked at his disciples and rested his head against the mast. He would endure the storm so they wouldn't have to.

Every sandwich has bread. Every burger has a bun. But these warm, golden, smooth steamed buns? These are special. Reserved for the very best. The Filet-O-Fish. And you. You can have them too. For a limited time, the classic Filet-O-Fish you love is joining your McDonald's favorites on the 2 for $3.99 menu. Limited time only. Price and participation may vary. Cannot be combined with any other offer. Single item at regular price. Ba-da-ba-ba-ba.

Time is a luxury for us, especially if you're a mom. That's why we need a skincare routine that's easy, fast, and gives us results. Plus, one of your products had thousands of five-star reviews. Were natural and affordable? Well, say hello to Dime Beauty. Dime Beauty is clean, high-end skincare that is affordable. And it really works. Not sure where to start? I highly recommend the Work System.

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Are you ready to have your bacon loving mind blown?

Well, here it is. Oscar Mayer takes 12 hours to smoke some delicious thick-cut bacon. Most other bacon out there is smoked for four to six hours, but Oscar Mayer doubles that time. Let's put that into perspective. You could drive from Detroit to Omaha, and Oscar Mayer thick-cut bacon wouldn't be finished smoking. You could spend the morning and all afternoon watching the Lord of the Rings trilogy in full. You could even go to bed, get a full night's sleep, wake up, shower,

shower, have breakfast, including some delicious Oscar Mayer bacon, and then drive to work and to think that the bacon would still be smoking. The point is, all of these take at least half a day to complete, and Oscar Mayer takes the best cuts and smokes them over real hardwood chips for a really long time until it tastes really good. So buy some Oscar Mayer thick-cut bacon now and enjoy. Do you even care? This was the question the Hebrews shouted at Moses when the Egyptians were pursuing them.

This was also the question the disciples shouted at Jesus when they thought they were going to drown at the bottom of the sea. Don't you care? God, where are you during this trial? Are you even listening to me? These are some of the most common questions we ask God when we are scared, tired, and alone. When life sends us unexpected storms and our emotions toss us to and fro, we often wonder if God cares at all.

This episode sought to answer that question with a resounding yes. God cares about you and he is with you in every circumstance. The prelude connected us to a common motif in scripture that is revisited in this story, and it is the motif of unruly and chaotic waters.

To unpack this theme, we will need to go to the very beginning in Genesis, when God was forming the world from the chaotic void. As you know, Scripture is rich with imagery and motifs to signal to us what God is up to. And there is, in my opinion, one image that sits above the rest, water. You have the same still and quiet waters representing the refreshing presence of God's Spirit. Then you have the raging seas representing the chaos and unpredictability of the world.

These chaotic waters were present in the beginning before God spoke light and life over the void. Genesis 1, 2-4 says, The earth was without form and void, and darkness was on the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God was hovering over the face of the waters. Then God said, Let there be light, and there was light. And God saw the light, that it was good. And God divided the light from the darkness. With a word, chaos and darkness were tamed.

Since the very beginning, God has been reminding us that his very word can calm the storm and bring light to the darkness. Dark and chaotic are the appropriate adjectives for the times we find ourselves in. And it was the very literal circumstance the disciples found themselves in during this episode. Rain beat down like arrows and waves crashed against the ship like giants. They were trapped in chaos and darkness, just like the Israelites were when being pursued by Egypt.

And the question the disciples had for Jesus was an interesting one, one that shakes us to the core. Teacher, do you not care that we are perishing?

You see, there are questions that we may think matter most to people when it comes to God. Questions that require a case on the seven-day creation, ontological reasoning for the existence of God, or other matters of apologetics. However, when people are in the midst of chaos and darkness, they're often asking, "Does God care about me? I'm perishing. Does Jesus even care?" Those are the questions we must wrestle with the most.

This episode sought to remind the fearful and wondering heart that Jesus is in control. He stepped forward and calmed the raging seas. He spoke saying, be still, and the storm ceased its rage. Just as he spoke peace over the waters in Genesis and part of the seas in Exodus, Jesus quelled the storm and brought peace to chaos for the disciples.

Did you notice Simon's posture during and after the storm? As the storm raged, Simon gripped the rudder till his hands bled. He desperately tried to fight against the storm, but felt his strength failing him. However, after Jesus stepped up to the bow and calmed the storm, Simon's grip loosened and he let down his guard. Is this you today? Are you in a losing battle with the storms of life? Do you feel tired, weary, and unable to press on?

The struggle of every believer is to loosen our grip on the rudder and let Jesus take over. He alone can speak peace over the storms that rage around us. Just when the disciples thought they were safe, a demon-possessed man ran toward them from the mountains. These disciples went from a near-death experience to a demoniac chasing them. But such is the life of a disciple. The men ran away, but Jesus stepped forward.

This is a very important theme in our series. When others run away, Jesus runs toward the fray. While others cower in fear, Jesus courageously faces his foe. He steps toward the demon and engages with him. It becomes very apparent to us that demons do not see Jesus as an equal. They know better than most that he is the Son of God and vastly more powerful than them. Jesus isn't scared of the same things we are, nor does he feel overwhelmed by the things that overwhelm us.

He is steady when we feel unsteady, brave when we feel afraid, and able when we are unable. Whatever we lack, Jesus has in abundance. It is clear what this man lacked, peace. For years he was tormented by a legion of demons and hid away in the mountains. He was a danger to himself and those around him. The villagers bound him in chains and he cut himself with stones. He was caught in a storm of his own. Only this storm was not around him but within him.

This story presents us with the two different types of storms we face. Some storms are outside of us. They are contextual and rage around us. Example of these storms can be a layoff at work, deaths in the family, or health crisis. But there are other storms that rage within us, inner storms. Examples of these can be depression, anxiety, or addiction. This episode seeks to remind us that Jesus is in control over the outer and inner storms.

He wants to say, be still to all that thrashes within and without. The episode ends with a grander point. There was still a greater storm to be calm. There was still a greater enemy to be vanquished. When the time came, he would be ready. He looked at his disciples and rested his head against the mast. He would endure the storm so they wouldn't have to. Sin is the ultimate storm. Its swell overwhelms us and its wind thrashes us.

For those caught in a whirlwind of their own sin, I want to remind you that Jesus cares. He cares deeply about you, your salvation, and your heart. He cares so much, in fact, that he was willing to endure the cross. In the same way the voice of God spoke life and light into the chaotic void, Jesus wants to speak life and light into your heart.

In the same way God parted the raging seas so Israel could escape their enemies, Jesus wants to make a way for you to escape the grips of sin. In the same way Jesus calmed the storm for the disciples, Jesus wants to give you peace in the midst of brokenness. In the same way Jesus took control over legion, he wants to take control over your mind and heart. Jesus cares deeply. My final prayer in light of this episode today is,

is that Jesus would grant you peace in the midst of the storm. In our next episode, a beloved character will wrestle with his own inner and outer storms. Alone in a jail cell, he will ask a similar question, does Jesus care? Join us next time for episode 10, God or Ghost.

Thanks again for listening. For more inspiring stories, daily prayers, and wisdom to last a lifetime, go to Pray.com. And to expand your Heroes in the Bible journey, download the Heroes of the Faith devotional at TonyEvans.org forward slash heroes. Please write a review and let me know how Jesus and this podcast have impacted your life. God bless.

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Tackle these situations in stride and of course be annoyed when an unplanned expense comes up, but not let it be something that slows me down. Right. As I did with repairing my credit, you know, hiring somebody to do credit repair for me. That was a gift that I gave myself that allowed me to then, you know, get my first apartment.

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