Matthew 8:23–27 — The Calming of the Storm

“Then He got into the boat and His disciples followed Him. Suddenly a violent storm came up on the sea, so that the boat was being swamped by the waves; but He was asleep.
The disciples came and woke Him, saying, ‘Lord, save us! We are perishing!’
He said to them, ‘Why are you terrified, O you of little faith?’ Then He got up, rebuked the winds and the sea, and there was a great calm.”

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The Measure of Our Faith

Jesus is concerned not just that we have faith, but with the size of our faith.
When He said, “O you of little faith,” He revealed that fear and faith cannot rule in the same heart.

If our faith were even as small as a mustard seed, Jesus assures us that it would be enough to move mountains:

“Truly I tell you, if you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain,
‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you.” — Matthew 17:20

Why does Jesus emphasize faith’s size so much?
Because it determines whether we are truly trusting Him or doubting Him.
Our measure of faith defines whether we live in confidence or in fear — whether we walk in the Spirit or remain slaves to worry.

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Faith Over Fear

In the boat, the disciples’ fear overpowered their trust.
Jesus was right there — yet they panicked.
Isn’t that what happens to us too?
We allow the storms around us to grow louder than the voice of God within us.

But when Jesus is in the boat of our lives, the storm cannot sink us — unless we let fear take the helm.

“When I am afraid, I put my trust in You.” — Psalm 56:3

Even the smallest faith, when anchored in Jesus, is powerful enough to calm any storm.
The question is not whether storms will come — they will — but whether our faith is big enough to invite Jesus’ peace into the midst of them.

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The Excuse of “I’m Only Human”

We often say, “I’m only human,” as if that excuses our lack of faith.
But God knows we are human — He made us!
What He desires is not perfection, but progress toward greater faith.

Faith is not about being flawless; it’s about trusting flawlessly.
The moment we decide to “super-size” our faith, even just a little, we begin to live more by heaven’s power and less by human excuse.

“For we walk by faith, not by sight.” — 2 Corinthians 5:7

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The Choice Is Ours

There’s no middle ground.
We either grow our faith — or we let fear shrink it.
We either believe Jesus — or we don’t.

“I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.” — John 14:6

When our faith is at least the size of a mustard seed, life eternal awaits us.
When it isn’t — we risk missing the life He offers.

So, let us believe more, fear less, and begin to grow our faith until Jesus can say of us,

“Great is your faith!” — Matthew 15:28

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Closing Reflection

Every challenge is an opportunity to grow that mustard seed of faith.
When fear comes, let us remember who calms the wind and the waves.
Let’s trust Him enough to let Him speak peace into our storms.

Because if God is for us, who can be against us? — Romans 8:31
Amen.