Article March 15, 2004 Issue

Quick help on rough seas

By Beverly Goldsmith

My husband, David, and I visited the Fijian Islands several years ago. During our stay, we boarded a majestic old wooden schooner, which had been featured in an Australian TV series, for a day-long sail to a small offshore island. It was windy and overcast, but the crew showed no signs of concern about the weather—until we sailed out of the sheltered bay into the Pacific Ocean and were hit by gale-force winds.

The schooner pitched and rolled violently in the heaving seas. Three crewmen took hold of the ship's large wheel to keep the vessel from capsizing. David and I clung to a nearby pole for dear life. Surrounded by other terrified passengers, I even considered putting my passport between my teeth and swimming to the far-off shore. Then I remembered that David couldn't swim very well. I knew I couldn't keep both of us afloat in the rough seas, so I started praying.

I thought of Jesus and his friends in a small boat during a huge storm (see Mark 4:37–40). He wasn't afraid. The Bible says, "He arose, and rebuked the wind, and said unto the sea, Peace, be still. And the wind ceased, and there was a great calm." It's clear that he didn't see the situation as beyond God's control. "Why are ye so fearful?" he asked the others. "How is it that ye have no faith?" This reminded me not to panic. God was in control, no matter how bad things looked. I knew from experience that I could put my confidence in God—and as a result not be afraid. So while the ship struggled against the wind and big seas, I kept praying.