A strong wind was blowing and the waters grew rough.
Jesus had ordered them to take a boat across the sea and had not joined them. A storm arose and He was still not with them. The disciples were just trying to obey Jesus but the wind and sea were fighting against their efforts. We, too, will meet opposition when we do the Lord’s will, but, like the disciples, we must stick to our task, even in the face of great opposition.
Also, sometimes Jesus directs us to do something and then seemingly doesn’t come to help when troubles arise. We grow weary at the oars trying to resist the troubles in our own strength, while not seeming to gain much ground. It is often when we are at our most helpless that Christ comes to us, for He has many lessons for us to learn.