Jesus does not just call us out of anxiety; he calls us to something better. What is the one thing Jesus recommends in the midst of troubling anxiety?

On the wall of my office, I have a print of Gustave Doré’s engraving Jesus Calms the Storm. It’s an amazing work of art that I often consider when I’m feeling anxious and overwhelmed. It depicts the events of Mark 4:35–41, when the disciples are caught in a storm and terrified that they are about to die. In Doré’s piece, the disciples are expressive and dramatic. They are desperate, panic stricken, and distraught with alarm. Jesus, on the other hand, sits calmly at the stern of the boat, totally confident and composed in the middle of the storm. Our seated Savior. I so badly want to be as assured as Jesus. Doré even portrays one disciple as being held back from Christ. We assume he is the one to voice the accusation of Jesus recorded in verse 38: “Do you not care?”

Next to that print in my office hangs another of Gustave Doré’s engravings, an etching of Luke 10:38–42 titled Jesus at the House of Martha and Mary. In this story, a stressed, burdened Martha utters the same question as the overwhelmed disciples did at sea: “Do you not care?” (10:40). She challenges our seated Savior with her anxiety. She is frantic, while her sister is just sitting there.

The disciples on the boat and Martha in her house both confronted Jesus with the same question. It’s one we often pray, either implicitly or explicitly. In frustration, in fear, or in desperation, we ask God, “Are you not concerned about what I’m concerned about?” 

On the sea, Jesus said to the storm, “Peace! Be still!” (Mark 4:39). The wind and the waves obeyed him and probably the hearts of his companions too. Honestly, my heart often needs its storm commanded. I need to hear Jesus say to me. “Peace! Settle down. Sit still.” This mind of mine, so muddled with the potential scenarios over which I have no control, needs to be stilled. The peace that Jesus has isn’t because he doesn’t care. He is at peace because he knows he is cared for by the Father. There’s a false relief that says peace will be ours only if we stop caring so much. Care as much as you want! But don’t worry, for as much as you care about your family, your heavenly Father cares even more about you, your spouse, and your children, and he is writing your story.

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