When Everything Suddenly Changes

Sunday Afternoon Drive

One of my fondest childhood memories is weekend car rides around the countryside of my hometown with my family. I grew up in a small rural town, and I remember the many Sunday afternoon drives my dad would take with my mom, siblings, and me. We’d ride through our small town, as well as neighboring ones, enjoying the natural scenery. Perhaps the best part for us kids was when my dad would sometimes stop at an ice cream shop to buy us a creamy treat.

On one occasion, the road ahead suddenly faded into a wall of swirling dust. Grains of sand struck the windshield like a storm of needles. The air outside turned thick and brown swallowing the sunlight until even the sky seemed to vanish.

My dad slowed the car to a crawl. The world beyond the glass had disappeared—no landmarks, no horizon, no way to tell where the road ended.

“Why don’t you stop the car?” we said.

“I just washed this car!” my dad replied.

Huh? He had indeed washed the car the day before. And from his response you might guess that my dad liked to keep his car clean. He was trying to make it through the sudden dust storm as quickly as he could, with as little dirt on his car as possible. Needless to say, he would have to wash the car again. In hindsight I can laugh at that situation, but it was a bit scary at the time—especially from a child’s perspective.

Quiet! Be still!

That day, as the dust storm hid the sunlight and we couldn’t see the road ahead, I remember feeling a mix of fear and confusion. My dad gripped the wheel and kept moving forward, trusting that the road was still there even when we couldn’t see it.

Life can feel that way sometimes. The calm gives way to confusion, the clear path becomes cloudy, and fear grips us. But in Mark 4:39, we’re reminded of the One who commands peace even in the most severe storms:

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He got up, rebuked the wind and said to the waves, “Quiet! Be still!” Then the wind died down and it was completely calm.

Just as Jesus calmed the storm for His disciples, He speaks into the sudden storms that rise in our own lives. When the unexpected happens or situations seem unclear, we can trust that He is still in control—still present, still guiding, still able to bring calm.

Seemingly as quickly as the storm began, it passed and sunlight broke through again. Looking back, I realize there was never a reason to panic. The same God who commands the wind and waves also holds steady the road beneath us.

Prayer

Lord, when the way isn’t clear, help me to trust and depend on You to bring me through every situation. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Tips for Navigating the Storm

1. Pause before reacting. When something sudden or stressful happens, pause, take a deep breath, and remind yourself that Jesus is with you even when things feel out of control.

2. Pray through the storm. Instead of focusing on the problem, turn your attention to God and talk to Him about it. Ask for His peace to fill your heart and clarity for your next step.

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