Fear Is a Big Bully

A recent tragedy in my family got me thinking about the subject of fear.

Fear is oversized and rude. Fear is unwilling to share the heart with happiness. Do you ever see the two together? Can someone be happy and afraid at the same time?  Fear is a big bully: brash, loud, and unproductive. Yet, we allow fear so much control over our lives. Happiness would be a much better companion.

Storms on the Sea of Galilee

There is a famous painting, the Storm on the Sea of Galilee, painted in 1633 by the Dutch Golden Age painter Rembrandt. The account of this storm is found in Matthew 8: 23-27. Matthew remembered the pouncing tempest and carefully chose his words to convey the emotions and fear of the moment. While Matthew was not a fisherman, many of the disciples were. They were familiar with storms on the sea of Galilee, but yet everyone in the boat was fearful…except one. Jesus slept comfortably. He was not afraid. Jesus knew something that we need to learn, something that applies to the storms in our lives. God is in control!  He has the power to calm the storm. But, also, this story is a not-so-subtle reminder that getting on board with Jesus can mean getting soaked. Yes, Christ-followers can contract malaria, bury children, and battle addiction and illness. Yes, we will face fear.

This brings me to a couple of basic questions. Why is life filled with so much trouble? And, what makes pain and anguish different for Christians? This life is filled with trouble because we live in a world that has been defiled by sin. This was not God’s plan. We were set on this course by Adam and Eve.  However, God has put into action a solution for this condition.  Jesus came, lived and died, to reconcile mankind to God.  As Christians, we have access to the Father because of his Son.  We can have faith in the promises of God, because of the life of Jesus.

Let’s look at a few verses and think about what they mean for us.  

Do Not Fear

“Do not fear, little flock, for it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom.” 

Luke 12:32

What does these words of Jesus mean to you? It means to me that I am a child of the king and he takes pleasure in giving me the blessings and bounty of the kingdom…God loves to bless us in this life and in the next one too. In the end, I know, “We win!”

“Don’t be afraid. Just believe, and your daughter will be well.” 

Luke 8:50

This statement is a little more “real” for me. God has the power to heal and often the prayer of faith does raise the sick. Praying for the sick, with faith, is what we have been commanded to do. However, I’ve had to face storms in my family, Liz’s brother Byron, at 21 years old; the extended illness and death of my mother; and my own struggle with diabetes. Sometime we pray and the answer is “Not yet.” Sometimes the answer is “No.”  Sometimes we pray and the answer is “My grace is sufficient for you.” Regardless of the answer, I’ve learned through difficulties that life without faith in Jesus is hopeless.

A Sleeping Savior

We all hope for an easy ride through life, smooth sailing on a crystal-clear sea. But storms rise up.  None of us can escape this inevitable fact—whether we are Christians or not.  As the waves rocked and shook the boat, the disciples were afraid. They screamed and Jesus dreamed. What if this was a premeditated slumber? What if in full knowledge of the coming storm, Jesus decided it was siesta time and so crawled to the corner, put his head on the ballast bags and went to sleep? Have you ever felt that Jesus was sleeping through the storms in your life? How did you respond? Anger, frustration, hurt?  For me, I felt like God abandoned me. 

The apostles’ lack of faith reminds us that even those who lived and walked with Jesus, saw His miracles, and heard his message still found it difficult to be 100 percent faith-filled all the time. In that way, the disciples were a lot like us. However, their lack of faith was rebuked—and, by extension, so is ours. If Jesus was able to rescue the apostles from the storm, Jesus is able to rescue us from the storms of everyday life: sickness, job loss, marriage problems, and even the sting of death.

The Lord never promised we would not see storms in our lives. As a matter of fact, Jesus told us to expect trouble. However, he has promised that he will be with us in the storm. He will never leave his children alone in the midst of trouble. With perseverance, we will overcome. This is just as true today as it was in that Storm on the Sea of Galilee.  

Copyright © 2020 Chuck Locklear

Also, see A Promise Of Blessing.