2 Minute Disciple | Daily Faith Journey for Spiritual Growth

Slow down. Meet Jesus. Let His Teaching shape your day.

Day 143 — Mark 4:35–41 — Jesus Calms the Storm

Saturday, May 23rd, 2026 at 12:00 AM by Nick Oyler | Host of the Daily Bible Devotional Podcast “2 Minute Disciple” trusting god spiritual growth spiritual formation season 5 scripture meditation prayer peace in christ peace mark 4 devotional mark 4 jesus calms the storm jesus guided prayer gospel meditation faith over fear faith discipleship devotional podcast daily devotion contemplative prayer contemplative christianity christian podcast christian mindfulness christian meditation christian living christian encouragement bible study bible reflection anxiety 2 minute disciple

Hey everybody, welcome to the podcast, I’m Nick and it’s amazing to be here with you today.
Today is May 23.
Each day, we follow a simple rhythm: Slow Down, Read, Notice, Reread, Meditate, Respond, and Exercise.
Let’s begin.

Slow Down

We carry so much around every day — financial worries, relational stress, anxiety about the future, and the pressure to succeed.
Now is the time to set those things down for a few minutes and enjoy some time with Jesus.
Close your eyes. Take a deep breath in, then slowly release it.
As you inhale, whisper: “Jesus, You are in this boat.”
As you exhale, pray: “Speak peace into my storm.”
Do this three times, then rest in His presence.

Read

As evening came, Jesus said to his disciples, “Let’s cross to the other side of the lake.” So they took Jesus in the boat and started out, leaving the crowds behind (although other boats followed). But soon a fierce storm came up. High waves were breaking into the boat, and it began to fill with water.
Jesus was sleeping at the back of the boat with his head on a cushion. The disciples woke him up, shouting, “Teacher, don’t you care that we’re going to drown?”
When Jesus woke up, he rebuked the wind and said to the waves, “Silence! Be still!” Suddenly the wind stopped, and there was a great calm. Then he asked them, “Why are you afraid? Do you still have no faith?”
The disciples were absolutely terrified. “Who is this man?” they asked each other. “Even the wind and waves obey him!”  (Mark 4:35–41, NLT)

Notice

What stands out to you in this passage?
Is there a phrase that surprises or challenges you?
Hold it in your heart for a moment.

Reread

Hear this story again — and notice both what the disciples say to Jesus, and what Jesus says back.

Meditate

There is something deeply honest about the disciples' cry: Don't you care that we're going to drown? It is not a prayer of faith. It is a prayer of panic. And yet Jesus wakes up and answers it.
He doesn't rebuke them for waking Him. He rebukes the storm. And then - in the sudden, impossible calm - He turns to them with a question: Why are you afraid? Do you still have so little faith?
The disciples had been with Jesus long enough to know what He could do. They had seen the healings, heard the teaching, watched the crowds respond. And still, when the storm hit, their first instinct was fear and their second was accusation: Don't You care?
Jesus' question is not harsh — it is searching. He is not shaming them for their fear. He is inviting them to notice the gap between what they knew about Him and how they responded when things got frightening. Faith is not the absence of fear. But it is the choice - in the middle of the storm - to turn toward Jesus rather than away from Him. To cry out to Him rather than at Him.
And then the disciples face a new kind of fear - the holy, awe-struck fear of realizing exactly who is in the boat with them. The wind and the waves obey Him. Who is this?
Take a few moments to reflect on this question:
What storm am I in right now — and am I turning toward Jesus in it, or am I letting panic drown out what I know to be true about Him?

Respond

Jesus, You are in my boat. Speak peace into my storm today. And increase my faith.

Exercise

The rush of life will meet you again when you leave this sacred place—but you can carry this moment into your day by forming new habits.
Habit: Peace in the Storm
Today's habit is a focused act of prayer: name the storm you are currently in — out loud if you can - and specifically ask Jesus to speak peace into it.
Don't dress it up. Don't minimize it. Say exactly what the disciples said - honestly, urgently, even imperfectly: "Lord, this is what's happening. It feels like too much. Do You see this? Do You care?"
And then wait. Not necessarily for the storm to stop - but for the peace that Jesus gives that surpasses understanding. The calm He offers is not always the immediate removal of the difficulty.
Sometimes it is the profound settled-ness of knowing that He is in the boat and that the wind and waves answer to Him.
After you pray, sit quietly for two minutes and receive whatever He gives. Then carry it with you into your day.

I have one ask of you before you go, could you please share this podcast with one person today? One person at a time will grow this podcast to help more people walk with Jesus.
That’s your two minutes with Jesus for today.
Now, take what you’ve heard…share it and live it.
Until next time, keep slowing down, keep listening, and keep walking with Jesus.

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