Living 4 Him

The wind ceased and there was great calm.  Then he asked them, “Why are you afraid? Do you still have no faith?” Mark 4:40 CSB

I startle easily; much too easily, I suppose.  My husband walks in the bedroom when I think he’s in the basement and I jump like a popcorn kernel exploding.  Unknown insecurity must lurk in my soul, causing this temporary act of fear. 

The disciples experienced more than temporary fear when the boat they sailed started lurching and heaving in the midst of a violent storm.  Jesus slept while helpless panic ensued, until they wisely woke Jesus who calmed the wind. Jesus then asked the all important question: Why are you afraid?  (Mark 4:35-40)

Jesus directed his question at the core of their fear, asking them to explore the motive of their emotion. While he may also have been questioning their need to fear, his words give us a starting point to explore our own fears. 

Fear is not always a “duck and cover” emotion. Fear comes in quiet varieties as well.  Dreading a task, avoiding a risk, staying away from change.  Fear creeps silently into our beings unless we burrow to the root of our emotion by answering Jesus’ question honestly.

Being afraid means having worry, fear or apprehension about something. We often encounter this feeling when we think something unwanted is going to happen. 

Jesus’ question forces us to pause and pinpoint the source of our fear or apprehension.  Why are you afraid?  Uncovering the root of our fear helps focus our prayers in that area. 

For instance, I am not fond of change.  New situations, new routines, or new locations bring new worry into my life.  If I apply Jesus’ question: Why are you afraid? I consider I am afraid because I will be facing the unknown.  I am afraid because I think I will be unprepared or caught off guard.  I am afraid I won’t be able to handle what happens.  All of this reasoning goes completely against the role of God in my life.  God prepares me for everything that happens in my life.  Nothing is unknown to him.  He will give me strength to handle whatever comes my way. 

I turn my fear into a prayer to connect me with God’s power: Holy God, Prepare me for whatever comes my way today.  Take control and help me handle every need.  You are with me and I thank you for your loving presence.  

Fear often causes us to look too far into the future.  Max Lucado reminds us: Meet today’s problems with today’s strength.  Don’t start tackling tomorrow’s problems until tomorrow.  You do not have tomorrow’s strength yet. You simply have enough for today.

As our Holy Spirit, Jesus is never asleep.  He is ready to listen to our prayers and help us to battle any fear.  So, confront your fear and turn it over to God in prayer. Connect with the fullness of his power to calm the winds, to walk in his completeness and to fully serve him on this earth. 

Reaching in (allowing God’s word to work in your soul):  As you seek to turn your fears over to God, memorize this verse from the Psalms. “When I am afraid, I will put my trust in You.” Psalm 56:3

Reaching out (taking God’s word into the world):  In the coming days, ask God to make you aware of fear in your life and honestly answer the question “Why are you afraid?”  Turn every fear into a prayer.