Silence! Be Still!
When Complaints Give Way to Calm
SCRIPTURE:
Mark 4:39 (CSB) - He got up, rebuked the wind, and said to the sea, "Silence! Be still!" The wind ceased, and there was a great calm.
OBSERVATION:
How do we respond to extreme, challenging situations or circumstances beyond our control? I want to say, “I handle it with unwavering faith, always taking it directly to the Lord.” While that reflects my true desire and heart's prayer, I often behave differently. More often, I complain.
The English word complain, which means expressing dissatisfaction or annoyance, has synonyms that reveal what we are truly doing when we complain: protesting, grumbling, griping, fussing, being impatient, unyielding, and unforgiving. OUCH!
We, in our effort to justify complaining, like to call it “venting.” It sounds much more acceptable. But whether we call it venting or complaining, we are still not trusting the Lord.
Mark 4:39 (CSB) - He got up, rebuked the wind, and said to the sea, "Silence! Be still!" The wind ceased, and there was a great calm.
OBSERVATION:
How do we respond to extreme, challenging situations or circumstances beyond our control? I want to say, “I handle it with unwavering faith, always taking it directly to the Lord.” While that reflects my true desire and heart's prayer, I often behave differently. More often, I complain.
The English word complain, which means expressing dissatisfaction or annoyance, has synonyms that reveal what we are truly doing when we complain: protesting, grumbling, griping, fussing, being impatient, unyielding, and unforgiving. OUCH!
We, in our effort to justify complaining, like to call it “venting.” It sounds much more acceptable. But whether we call it venting or complaining, we are still not trusting the Lord.
“The Greek word for complaining gives the idea of a “smoldering discontent.” - Believers are not too smolder in their discontent. They are not to grumble or complain. A person who refuses to complain will stand out in a world full of complainers… A complaining spirit reveals a lack of trust in God. Has not God provided in the past? Will He not faithfully provide now and in the future? Can we not trust Him to know what we need and to provide it in His time? Our circumstances, however bad they may be, are known to God, and He is in control of them.” – GotQuestion.org.
In Mark 4, after finishing a lengthy teaching on parables, Jesus was exhausted and needed rest. He told His disciples, 'Let's cross to the other side.' Jesus quickly fell asleep, and then a storm began to gather.
APPLICATION:
How should we respond in times of storms, life's challenges, or dissatisfaction with our situation? Do we tend to complain or turn to prayer? While complaining might seem easier, our initial response should be to pray. Consider how some disciples reacted when they were in the boat with Jesus. They accused Him of being unaware or absent, even though He was asleep on a pillow at the stern. We need to be cautious not to interpret the Lord’s inaction as disinterest or sleep, but to trust in His awareness and presence.
APPLICATION:
How should we respond in times of storms, life's challenges, or dissatisfaction with our situation? Do we tend to complain or turn to prayer? While complaining might seem easier, our initial response should be to pray. Consider how some disciples reacted when they were in the boat with Jesus. They accused Him of being unaware or absent, even though He was asleep on a pillow at the stern. We need to be cautious not to interpret the Lord’s inaction as disinterest or sleep, but to trust in His awareness and presence.
“The Lord’s sleep was not only the sleep of weariness: it was also the rest of faith, for there is a rest of faith as well as a watch of faith.” – Alan R. Cole.
Teacher, do You not care that we are perishing? “It was not a request to Him to do anything; but a protest against His apparent indifference.” G. Campbell Morgan.
“There may be both a sleeping Christ and a sleeping church, but neither Christ nor his church can perish. If our Lord be asleep, he is asleep near the helm — he has only to put his hand out and steer the vessel at once. He is asleep, but he only sleeps until we cry more loudly to him. When we get into such trouble that we cannot help ourselves and feel our entire dependence on him, then he will reveal his power.” – Charles Spurgeon.
Teacher, do You not care that we are perishing? “It was not a request to Him to do anything; but a protest against His apparent indifference.” G. Campbell Morgan.
“There may be both a sleeping Christ and a sleeping church, but neither Christ nor his church can perish. If our Lord be asleep, he is asleep near the helm — he has only to put his hand out and steer the vessel at once. He is asleep, but he only sleeps until we cry more loudly to him. When we get into such trouble that we cannot help ourselves and feel our entire dependence on him, then he will reveal his power.” – Charles Spurgeon.
Lastly, we sometimes need to be reminded, just as the sea and the disciples, to "Silence! Be still!"
Let's learn to adjust our reactions. Instead of complaining, we should pray and trust that Jesus is awake and aware of our situation. View Jesus’ words not as criticism but as a reminder—"Silence! Be still!" What follows is a great calm.
PRAYER:
Thank you, Jesus, for your long-suffering and patience with me! Help me adjust my responses to prayer and praise, trusting that you are active even when I can’t see it. My heartfelt desire is to follow your command to "Silence! Be still!"
Let's learn to adjust our reactions. Instead of complaining, we should pray and trust that Jesus is awake and aware of our situation. View Jesus’ words not as criticism but as a reminder—"Silence! Be still!" What follows is a great calm.
PRAYER:
Thank you, Jesus, for your long-suffering and patience with me! Help me adjust my responses to prayer and praise, trusting that you are active even when I can’t see it. My heartfelt desire is to follow your command to "Silence! Be still!"
Trade complaining for trust—Jesus still speaks “Silence! Be still!” over every storm.
Posted in Mark
Recent
Archive
2026
January
Words Spoken at the Right TimeHe Will SaveShining as the StarSOAPRepentance: It’s a Good ThingDawning of a New LifePerfect Not PerfectionThe Cure for AnxietyThe Way We Think About and Treat OthersRight AwayTax Collectors and SinnersChoosing Christ Above AllThe Yoke of LearningHope In His NameWhere Did He Learn ThisImmediatelyFrom the HeartOn This RockMustard Seed FaithTrue HumilityMission ImpossibleMoved with Compassion