Anchored in the Storm: Trusting Jesus in Spiritual Battles
Scripture: Mark 4:35–41; Mark 5:1–20
35 That day when evening came, he said to his disciples, “Let us go over to the other side.”36 Leaving the crowd behind, they took him along, just as he was, in the boat. There were also other boats with him. 37 A furious squall came up, and the waves broke over the boat, so that it was nearly swamped. 38 Jesus was in the stern, sleeping on a cushion. The disciples woke him and said to him, “Teacher, don’t you care if we drown?”
39 He got up, rebuked the wind and said to the waves, “Quiet! Be still!” Then the wind died down and it was completely calm.
40 He said to his disciples, “Why are you so afraid? Do you still have no faith?”
41 They were terrified and asked each other, “Who is this? Even the wind and the waves obey him!”
5 They went across the lake to the region of the Gerasenes.2 When Jesus got out of the boat, a man with an impure spirit came from the tombs to meet him. 3 This man lived in the tombs, and no one could bind him anymore, not even with a chain. 4 For he had often been chained hand and foot, but he tore the chains apart and broke the irons on his feet. No one was strong enough to subdue him. 5 Night and day among the tombs and in the hills he would cry out and cut himself with stones.
6 When he saw Jesus from a distance, he ran and fell on his knees in front of him. 7 He shouted at the top of his voice, “What do you want with me, Jesus, Son of the Most High God? In God’s name don’t torture me!” 8 For Jesus had said to him, “Come out of this man, you impure spirit!”
9 Then Jesus asked him, “What is your name?”
“My name is Legion,” he replied, “for we are many.” 10 And he begged Jesus again and again not to send them out of the area.
11 A large herd of pigs was feeding on the nearby hillside. 12 The demons begged Jesus, “Send us among the pigs; allow us to go into them.” 13 He gave them permission, and the impure spirits came out and went into the pigs. The herd, about two thousand in number, rushed down the steep bank into the lake and were drowned.
14 Those tending the pigs ran off and reported this in the town and countryside, and the people went out to see what had happened.15 When they came to Jesus, they saw the man who had been possessed by the legion of demons, sitting there, dressed and in his right mind; and they were afraid. 16 Those who had seen it told the people what had happened to the demon-possessed man—and told about the pigs as well. 17 Then the people began to plead with Jesus to leave their region.
18 As Jesus was getting into the boat, the man who had been demon-possessed begged to go with him. 19 Jesus did not let him, but said, “Go home to your own people and tell them how much the Lord has done for you, and how he has had mercy on you.” 20 So the man went away and began to tell in the Decapolis[b] how much Jesus had done for him. And all the people were amazed.
How many of you feel like you’ve dealt with spiritual warfare? Did you know that Jesus even dealt with it?
Life often feels like a storm, tossing us back and forth, leaving us exhausted and unsure if we’ll make it to the other side. In Mark 4 and 5, we see Jesus calming a raging storm and then freeing a man possessed by demons. These stories illustrate that Christ’s power reigns over chaos — whether it’s a storm outside or a struggle within.
Jesus’ disciples, many of whom were fishermen, were terrified by the storm (Mark 4:37–38). Yet, Jesus slept through it. When they woke Him, panicked, He calmed the sea with a word, “Peace.” Then, in Mark 5, He confronted a man oppressed by darkness, casting out a legion of demons and restoring him to peace.
These stories reveal two key truths about spiritual warfare:
1. Jesus has authority over the storms in our lives.
2. No darkness is too great for His light to overcome.
The storm in Mark 4 wasn’t just physical — it represented the turmoil the disciples felt inside. How often do we panic when life feels out of control? We cry out to Jesus, wondering if He cares that we’re struggling. But Jesus’ response shows His deep care and His absolute authority: He speaks, and the storm stops. It reminds us that no matter how chaotic our circumstances feel, Jesus is present, and His power is unmatched.
In Mark 5, the man possessed by demons lived isolated and in torment, but when he encountered Jesus, everything changed. The people around him had tried to chain him, to control his brokenness, but only Jesus could truly free him. This mirrors how we sometimes try to manage our struggles on our own — through willpower, distractions, or hiding our pain — but true freedom comes when we bring our battles to Jesus and let His power work within us.
These chapters show us that spiritual warfare is real, but we are not defenseless. Jesus fights for us. His presence brings peace to storms, and His authority breaks chains we can’t break on our own. When we face internal battles, fear, or overwhelming circumstances, we can anchor ourselves in His truth and trust that He is bigger than whatever we face.
Discussion Questions:
– Can you recall a time when life felt like a storm? How did you see God’s hand in that season?
– What are some ways we might feel “bound” or trapped, like the man in Mark 5?
– How does knowing Jesus’ authority over evil change the way you view your struggles?
– Are there areas of your life where you’ve tried to “chain” your struggles instead of surrendering them to Jesus?
– What truths about Jesus from these passages give you hope?
Activity: Truth Over Lies
Think of a lie you’ve believed about yourself or a fear you wrestle with. Now think of a truth from Scripture to combat that lie.
Examples:
– Lie: I am too broken to be healed.
– Truth: He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds. Psalm 147:3
Closing Prayer:
Lord Jesus, we thank You that Your voice is stronger than any storm, and Your light overcomes every darkness. We lift up the places in our hearts that feel heavy, the battles we fight silently, and the chains that try to hold us back. Remind us of Your power and presence. Help us replace every lie with Your truth, every fear with Your peace. We trust You to calm our storms and lead us into freedom. In Your name, Amen.
