Faith in the Midst of Fear
The pandemic that we are all living through has generated something in our lives that we are not used to. This something is fear. We are not used to being afraid to go to the supermarket. We surely are not used to being afraid to go visit our children or grandchildren. Many are working from home because we are afraid of catching something at work. We can’t even have an ACC Tournament with fans and we’re not used to teams like Virginia and Duke having to pull out because of COVID. We haven’t been able to worship as we’re used to and can you believe we can’t sing in church? As I thought about fear, I went to Jesus and sought what He said about fear.
Jesus’ disciples also experienced the power of fear. Mark 4:35 tells about the disciples headed across the Sea of Galilee and “a furious squall came up”. Terror gripped them, and they suggested that Jesus (who’d been sleeping) might not care about them. Verse 38 says, “Teacher, don’t you care if we drown?”
Fear distorted the disciples’ vision. Fear kept the disciples from understanding Jesus’ intentions for them. After he rebuked the wind and waves (vs. 39), Jesus confronted his disciples with two questions: “Why are you so afraid? Do you still have no faith?” (vs. 40)
Storms rage in all of our lives. If it wasn’t for the pandemic, it would be something else. We all have fear about our health and what that will bring. We have fear about the future and how long will we live. Do we have enough saved up for the future? We have fear about travel and will another car hit us broadside. Jesus’ questions can put our fears into perspective. His first question invites us to name our fears. The second invites us to entrust those distorted feelings to Him. Try naming your fears today and giving them to Jesus. Jesus will be with us through life’s raging storms.
Prayer: Loving Savior, thank you that You’re always present in the storm. As I move through scary moments, help me each day to talk to You and trust You with all my fears. Amen.
Mark 4:40 – Jesus said to his disciples, “Why are you so afraid? Do you still have no faith?”
Author: Tommy Herndon
