Journey to Easter – 40-Day Creative Lent Devotional – Day 9: Finding Peace in the Storm

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peace in the storm

 

Day 9: Finding Peace in the Storm

Opening Prayer

opening prayer

Dear Father, in the busyness and troubles of this life it is so easy to feel tossed and turning like waves on a stormy sea. Thank You for the example of Your Son, who even amid turmoil found rest in You. Be with us now as we draw near, quieting the clamor within so we may hear Your still, small voice. Calm the winds that distract from Your peace. Through studying Your word, reveal ways we can cultivate solace and strength for the days ahead. May we learn to safely anchor our souls in You through prayer and meditation, finding anchorage even when outside feels uncertain. May Your presence soothe our spirits. We ask in Jesus’ name, the Prince of Peace. Amen.

Scripture Reading and Reflection

finding peace

 

Mark 4:35-41 KJV

And the same day, when the even was come, he saith unto them, Let us pass over unto the other side.

And when they had sent away the multitude, they took him even as he was in the ship. And there were also with him other little ships.

And there arose a great storm of wind, and the waves beat into the ship, so that it was now full.

And he was in the hinder part of the ship, asleep on a pillow: and they awake him, and say unto him, Master, carest thou not that we perish?

And he arose, and rebuked the wind, and said unto the sea, Peace, be still. And the wind ceased, and there was a great calm.

And he said unto them, Why are ye so fearful? how is it that ye have no faith?

And they feared exceedingly, and said one to another, What manner of man is this, that even the wind and the sea obey him?

Reflection:

In this passage, Jesus and the disciples find themselves suddenly caught in a raging storm as they cross the sea. The winds and waves batter their boat, threatening to capsize them. Among the chaos and fear, we find Jesus calmly asleep – at peace even amid the upheaval surrounding him. It’s easy to relate to the disciples in their panic, desperately trying to awaken Jesus as the situation feels spiraling out of their control. Yet Jesus shows us a different response – one of perfect trust that even when outer conditions are adverse, inner tranquility can remain. His deep rest underscores his confidence in the Father’s care, power and sovereignty over all things. When struggles arise in our lives, it’s natural to feel anxious, overwhelmed by the loud uncertainties crashing all around. But Jesus calls us to follow His example, anchoring our souls not in circumstances but in the unchanging love and authority of God. His calming of the storm reminds us that no matter what storms may rage, perfect peace is ours through abiding in Christ. This passage invites us to meditate on where we have allowed worries to disturb our own rest. In what storms do we need Jesus to hush fearful doubts and command tranquility once more? May we learn to sleep as He slept – finding solace that the God of peace is always near.

Hymn:

Be Still, My Soul

1 Be still, my soul; the Lord is on thy side; bear patiently the cross of grief or pain. Leave to thy God to order and provide; in every change He faithful will remain. Be still, my soul; thy best, thy heav’nly Friend through thorny ways leads to a joyful end.

2 Be still, my soul; thy God doth undertake to guide the future as He has the past. Thy hope, thy confidence let nothing shake; all now mysterious shall be bright at last. Be still, my soul; the waves and winds still know His voice who ruled them while He dwelt below.

3 Be still, my soul; when dearest friends depart, and all is darkened in the veil of tears, then shalt thou better know His love, His heart, who comes to soothe thy sorrow and thy fears. Be still, my soul; thy Jesus can repay from His own fullness all He takes away.

4 Be still, my soul; the hour is hast’ning on when we shall be forever with the Lord, when disappointment, grief, and fear are gone, sorrow forgot, love’s purest joys restored. Be still, my soul; when change and tears are past, all safe and blessed we shall meet at last.

Lyrics: Kathrina von Schlegel; Translator: Jane Borthwick, Music: Jean Sibelius

Creative Activities: 1. Scripture Writing

scripture writing   Write out Mark 4:35-41 in your best handwriting on the Scripture writing page which you can download below. Please download the Scripture Writing Page below. It is for personal and educational use (school, homeschooling) as well as for use at church and in ministry only. Commercial use not allowed.

Download Scripture Writing Page

scripture writing printable day 9DOWNLOAD NOW

Creative Activities: 2. Bible Journaling

bible journaling

Take time now to prayerfully reflect on Mark 4:35-41 in your Bible journal. Consider documenting your thoughts through illustrations, poems, prayers or Scripture quotes. You may wish to draw the stormy sea and the boat being tossed by waves. Contrast this with a peaceful picture of Jesus asleep at rest. Journal how His serenity amid turmoil speaks to where you need anchoring right now. Use colors, shapes and symbols to depict what stirs anxiety within – fears, burdens, doubts or trials. Bring these circumstances before the Lord through prayer as you write. Ask Him to breathe His peace over every area lacking calm. Look for inspiration from hymn lyrics to express longing for His presence in the storms. Note thankful verses reminding of God’s authority, care or past deliverances. Allow the Spirit freedom to minister through your creative expressions. May reflecting on Christ’s rest help you enter deeper solace even when surrounded by upheaval. Take time to simply sit with whatever arises, soaking in His comfort through Scripture meditation.

Creative Activities: 3. Doodling

doodling

  Now take a few minutes to prayerfully doodle any images that rise up as you focus on Christ’s example of remaining at peace even in troubled times. Allow your drawings to reflect on cultivating stillness within. You may find yourself sketching:
  • Waves crashing around a boat, contrasted with a tranquil face asleep at rest
  • A churning sea that smooths as the doodle progresses
  • Hands folded in prayer or palms open to receive calm
  • Symbolic representations of worries, anxieties being stilled
As you doodle, pray that God will calm your worries and bring you peace. Ask Him to replace any restless feelings with assurance that He is in control. Draw what it looks like to rely on Christ during difficult times. His Spirit can give strength, even when life feels uncertain. Bring your drawings to God openly. Ask Him to provide clarity, understanding or guidance. May your time doodling help you find inner calm, even when circumstances are stormy.

Please download the Doodle Printable below. It is for personal and educational use (school, homeschooling) as well as for use at church and in ministry only.

Commercial use not allowed.

Download Doodle Printable

doodle printable day 9DOWNLOAD NOW

Creative Activities: 4. Journaling

journaling

 

Reflect and Journal:

  • Where in your life do you feel uncertainty’s winds most fiercely blowing? Bring these areas to God in prayer, asking Him to follow your journaling with strengthened faith to calmly sleep through even the wildest of storms.
Please download the Journal Printable below. It is for personal and educational use (school, homeschooling) as well as for use at church and in ministry only. Commercial use not allowed.

Download Journal Printable

journal printable day 9DOWNLOAD NOW

Applying and Taking Action

applying and taking action

  How can you put into practice finding stillness and anchoring peacefully in God during challenging times? Consider:
  • Setting aside quiet space daily for prayer, Scripture reading and reflection to strengthen your connection to Christ.
  • Making space for solace through creative activities like journaling, prayer doodling, coloring prayer/Bible art pages. Let expressing yourself to God through these means foster a sense of rest in His presence.
  • Speaking to a trusted friend or counselor if anxieties or unrest feel overwhelming, seeking perspective or support.
  • Stepping back from constant noise/stimulation of screens or busy schedules that can stir inner turmoil.
  • Choosing to respond calmly instead of reactively when stress arises, relying on the Spirit’s fruit of patience, kindness and self-control.
Remember – still waters run deep. Pray for openness to Christ’s instilling in you an anchored tranquility to sustain you through any storms. And be open to how He may wish to use your oasis of faith to aid others weathering life’s challenges.

Closing Prayer

closing prayer

Dear Heavenly Father, we thank You for this time to focus our hearts on You. Thank You for the lesson of Jesus about peacefully resting amid the storm, trusting completely in Your care. As we face our own life challenges, help us continually remember that You are in control of all things. When doubts or fears try to shake us, quiet our minds and reassure our spirits with Your unchanging presence. As we seek to find rest in You each day through prayer, Your word and spending time with You, strengthen our faith in Your goodness. Help us rely on your promises of safety, protection and comfort. And assist us in sharing Your anchoring peace with others who are feeling tossed by life’s uncertainties. Now as we end our time together, fill us anew with Your still, calming Spirit. In Jesus’ loving name, Amen.

 

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