Tony Dungy said, “People look at me and see a calm cool guy on the sidelines and I want them to know that my faith affects my coaching and everything I do.” Trying times try our gentleness, meekness, and self control. If we can find a way to stay calm during a heated event, then we can better control ourselves, the situation, and grow from troubles turned opportunities. In Latin, the idea of “calm” is expressed by the words “tranquillo” and “tranquillus”. These Latin terms are often translated into English as “tranquil” “serene” and “calm”. This is the peaceful spirit which characterizes God’s children in the greatest of life’s storms.

Jesus is the perfect example of staying calm. Mark 4:35-41 records a storm which tossed the fearful disciples about in their boat on sea. Yet, while the storm was raging, Jesus was sleeping. The disciples, fearing for their lives, fled to Jesus and cried, “do you not care that we are perishing?” But Jesus demonstrated his caring power by rebuking the wind and saying to the sea, “Peace! Be Still!”. So it is with us, if Christ is in our lives. We can smile at the storm in peaceful strength because we know our loving creator God is in control of his works and we know that He loves us. From the text we learn that Jesus was more concerned with the troubled disciples than with the troubled sea. After rebuking the wind and the waves, Jesus rebuked the disciples saying, “Why are you so afraid? Have you still no faith?” Do we have faith?

His own tranquil attitude and behavior was prophesied in Isaiah 53:7, “He was oppressed, and he was afflicted, yet he opened not his mouth; like a lamb that is led to the slaughter, and like a sheep that before its shearers is silent, so he opened not his mouth.” Do you remember the circumstances in which this prophecy proved true? Jesus has been betrayed (Matt. 26:14-16, 30-35, 47-56, 69-75). Jesus had been arrested (Matt. 26:56-57). Jesus had been falsely accused before the leaders of the people (Matt. 26:57-62). Jesus was mocked, beaten, ridiculed, and crucified (Matt. 27:24-44). Yet in all this, Jesus remained calm.

So stay calm. Jesus was aware of the storm before the waters under heaven were gathered into their place. He knew Judas would become the betrayer before Satan created the first lie. Jesus knows every rock, hill, and valley your feet have traveled and every tear your eyes have cried. Jesus also knows what lies ahead. Stay calm. He knows. He cares. He listens. He is active.

Rejoiice in the Lord alway: again I say rejoice…
In nothing be anxious;
but in all things by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving
let your requests be made known unto God.
And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding,
shall guard your hearts and your thoughts in Christ Jesus.
–Philippians 4:4-7