Finding Peace in Troubled Waters: Ten Life Preservers for When Your Ship Springs a Leak

Pain, frustration, and discouragement are a natural part of life, but too often we permit these negative elements to rob us of our sense of peace---and I believe that only then have we truly lost something. Once, while the Savior and his disciples were aboard a ship, there arose a great storm of wind, and the waves beat into the ship, so that is was now full. The disciples trembled with fear, certain of their impending doom, as Jesus slept. Fear overcame their faith, and the disciples awoke the Savior, asking, Master, carest thou not that we perish? And he arose, and rebuked the wind, and said unto the sea, Peace, be still. And the wind ceased, and there was a great calm (Mark 4:37-39).
Regardless of the storms of our lives, despite the winds that blow and the waves that beat us, the message of the Savior's life is simple and clear: we can enjoy a full measure of peace in our lives and receive comfort to our souls. Even while weathering the most violent storms, we can still sleep. And though our ship maybe taking on water, we need not be alarmed. There are life preservers that bring the promise of peace and survival even amid the storms of life. Those life preservers do not protect against the craggy shores and treacherous shoals of life. They do not promise a life free from worry, pain, or setbacks. But when our ship begins to take on water, as it will from time to time, we have something to hold on to, and we can find peace.