“He got up, rebuked the wind and said to the waves, ‘Quiet! Be still!’ Then the wind died down and it was completely calm.” Mark 4:39 NIV

When I was growing up, I believed in my earthly father so much that there was not a time when I felt that he was not in control. I felt as though at any time he could get me through anything.

Did you know that the Lord is in control over every situation, at any time?

I know sometimes it doesn’t seem like it. There are times when it doesn’t look like it, that the God of all creation is not in control. We feel the heat in life and when we are pressed, when we are pressured, we want relief from God.

All through the Bible, you will find moments where it seemed as though the Lord was not there. The disciples were in a storm. They were facing a tough situation as they traveled the sea. The waters were rough, and they felt as though they were going to lose their lives. Jesus was fast asleep. It looked like He was not in control. They went to Him and said, “Do you care that we perish?” Jesus then gets up, and says, “Peace, be still.”

We always need to remember that our Heavenly Father is always in control. As we see what is happening throughout the world, and even what we are experiencing in our nation, it seems as though the Lord is asleep, but you can rest assured that He is aware of everything that is happening. He is watching all that’s taking place. He will move when He is ready to move, know that this is still our Father’s world. He’s still the God of creation. He has the power to step in and calm any activity and action whenever He so desires. His power is unlimited. He oftentimes tests our faith to see where we are in Him, and can use this time to turn our attention toward Him. Sometimes we forget that we should be leaning and depending on Him rather than ourselves.

What I’m saying to those of you who may be, or have been in a panic state, you need to know that the Lord is still in control. If He has done it before, then He can do it again. He cares if we perish. He is concerned, just as a good Father would be. We need to take Him at His word every step of the way. Our Daddy is still there, even when you can’t see Him, or feel Him, He is around and if you call on Him, He will show up and take over. He specializes in doing the unusual and the unexpected. Let Him have it.

The Rev. Joseph A. Perry is pastor of St. Mark AME Zion Church. Contact him at josephp134@gmail.com.