Stuck In The Middle

Read

Mark 4:39-40 “He got up, rebuked the wind and said to the waves, ‘Quiet! Be still!’ Then the wind died down and it was completely calm. He said to his disciples, ‘Why are you so afraid? Do you still have no faith?’”

Think

We love beginnings—fresh starts, new seasons, and the excitement of a journey. We also look forward to the end, when victory is won. But most of life happens in the middle. It’s here that real growth occurs, where faith is tested, and where God does his most transformative work.

The Bible is full of “middle moments.” Think of the disciples in the middle of a storm on the Sea of Galilee, wondering if Jesus would calm the waves. Or the Israelites wandering in the wilderness, caught between Egypt and the Promised Land. The middle can feel uncertain, even discouraging. But it’s here, in the waiting and the struggle, where we learn to fully rely on God’s presence and his promises.

In Mark 4:35-41, the disciples are caught in a storm with Jesus asleep in the boat. They wake him in fear, asking, “Teacher, don’t you care if we drown?” (Mark 4:38). Jesus calms the storm with a word, showing that even in the chaos, he is in control. The disciples discovered that Jesus wasn’t just with them in the calm; he was Lord over the storm itself.

If you’re in a “middle” season right now—feeling stuck, discouraged, or even abandoned—know that God is with you right where you are. He’s not waiting for you at the finish line; he’s beside you in the middle, shaping and strengthening you, teaching you to trust him. While we might want to rush to the end, God does his refining work in the middle.

Today, take a moment to thank God for being with you in the middle. Remember that he sees you, knows your struggles, and is working all things for your good. Embrace the middle, trusting that it’s here, in the in-between, where God often does his greatest work.

Apply

When you’re feeling stuck or overwhelmed, take a moment to pause and pray. Ask God to remind you of his presence and help you trust him in this season.

Pray

Lord, thank you for being with me in every season, especially in the “middle” moments when I feel uncertain or stuck. Help me to trust that you are in control, even when I don’t see the full picture. Remind me that you are working for my good and growing my faith. Give me the strength to keep going, knowing that you are right here with me. In Jesus’ name. Amen.