“Why are you so afraid? Do you still not have faith in Me?” Mark 4:40 NIV
“Fear is natural, but there is a time when continued fear is simply unbelief.”
My thoughts today are about “fear and faith.”
Not all fear is bad, but much of it is. There are things of which you should be afraid; they hold danger and it is wise to be cautious when there is good cause to do so. A person is foolish who knows no fear whatsoever. But much of the fear with which people struggle is harmful, out of proportion with the reality or circumstance. Fear left unchecked will dominate your thoughts, savage your emotions, and can even paralyze your will. The Bible says, “Fear involves torment. .” 1 John 4:18 NKJV.
The disciples were afraid. (Read Mark 4:35-41 NIV) The storm must have been greater than what they had previously experienced. Fishermen who had spent a lifetime on these waters feared for their lives. The danger was real; their lives seemed in jeopardy, and likely were if Jesus had not been with them. Something about this storm was overwhelming, more frightening than anything they had felt or known before. Danger was more immediate than at other times.
Was Jesus surprised, or displeased, that they were afraid? Was He saying that they should not fear a storm that could take their lives? Read the context preceding today’s verse. Jesus rebuked the storm, and the wind stopped, the water calmed, and there was a great calm. Then Jesus asked, “Why are you so afraid? Do you still not faith in Me?” Could He have been asking why they were still afraid and still without faith – after the storm was calmed? There is a time that fear is natural, but there can come a time when continued fear is simply unbelief.
There are two things to remember when afraid. First, trust what God has said. “When I am afraid, I will trust in you.” Psalm 56:3 NIV. Listen to what Jesus said to these disciples before there was a storm, or anticipation of one. “Let us go over to the other side.” Vs 35. While you wait for Jesus to speak to your storm, remember what He has already spoken to you. It was His expressed will to take them safely to the other shore, not lose them somewhere in the middle of a mess. Jesus will never direct you where He cannot keep you safe. He may not keep the storms away from you, but He will keep you safe in the storms, until He brings calm again. Your storm may teach you something about your God.
Secondly, take courage in His presence when you don’t feel safe in the circumstance. If you know that you are ‘in the boat’ with Jesus, then rest yourself securely in His care. To be afraid in frightening times and situations is normal, to the degree your fear is about real danger and not your exaggeration of it, or imagination of it. Shouldn’t your measure of fear be adjusted when you are not alone – when the One who has always demonstrated His supremacy over nature and circumstance is for you, and with you? Your fear is the measure of your belief in the storm; your faith is the measure of your confidence in God. “Perfect love expels all fear.” 1 John 4:18 NLT.
My prayer for you is to have faith in God that exceeds your fear in all else.