Buttons, I thought.
I was preparing to lead a creative writing lesson for teachers to use in their classrooms, and I needed small, inexpensive objects to give each of them. I had rejected plastic bugs because they might scare someone.
I had not considered that one of the teachers might have a loose button phobia. We all quickly glued our buttons to paper so that she could return to the room.
We might wonder at such a response, but unattached buttons were very scary to her.
That’s how a phobia operates. It’s irrational.
Fear, on the other hand, is a rational response to something or someone that can put us in actual jeopardy. Such as being in a small boat on a big lake in a terrible storm, like Jesus’ disciples were.
“We’re All Going to Die“
The disciples and Jesus were taking what was normally a two-hour trip across the Sea of Galilee after Jesus had finished a long day of teaching. The lake suddenly became violent, with waves pouring into the boat. The disciples were terrified that they were all going to drown.
And Jesus was asleep.
“Teacher, they cried out. “Do you not care that we are about to die?”
Well, of course Jesus cared. But he’d already told them they would cross the sea to the other side. Weren’t they listening?
So Jesus told the sea and the wind to be still. And then the disciples were really terrified, asking, “Who then is this, that even the wind and the sea obey him?”
“Why are you so full of fear?” he asked. “Do you not have faith?”
That’s our problem with faith—fear gets in its way. But there are ways to fight fear and build faith.
Expect Storms
The disciples were following Jesus when they were overtaken by the storm. They had gotten in the boat, just as Jesus had asked them to.
It can be easy to think that when you’re doing this or that for God, you have some sort of immunity against the storms of life. But no one escapes storms. Instead of living in fear of them, we need to ask God for help when they do come, as did the disciples.
Because they went through a storm with God’s help, they saw his power. Those experiences can lead us to trust in God’s strength and not ours. And in storms, we can experience the peace that is beyond human understanding and the love that transcends the deepest hurts.
One coming day God’s sovereign rule will put everything right. Just because we have to endure storms does not mean that evil hasn’t already been judged, that Jesus didn’t defeat the forces of evil on the cross, that we haven’t been rescued, and that the day of justice isn’t coming.
Know God’s Character
The disciples were still wondering just who Jesus was. They didn’t have our advantage of knowing Jesus through scripture as Creator, Redeemer, and King. We can fight fear with that truth, memorizing and reflecting on God’s promises. God’s word can strengthen your faith in the same way that exercise strengthens your muscles. What may begin as head knowledge will make its way to your heart as you spend time developing a relationship with Jesus. Quite simply, you’ve got to discipline your mind to think more about what you know to be true than what you’re afraid might happen.
Here are five great promises to build your faith through the darkest storms:
I can do everything through Christ, who gives me strength. (Philippians 4:13) For God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control. (2 Timothy 1:7) When I am afraid, I put my trust in you. In God, whose word I praise, in God I trust; I shall not be afraid. What can flesh do to me? (Psalm 56:3-4) In peace I will both lie down and sleep; for you alone, O Lord, make me dwell in safety. (Psalm 4:8) And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age. (Matthew 28:20)
Remember God’s Help in Previous Storms
After you have come through a storm, the experience can become a reminder of the faithfulness of Jesus.
When David volunteered to fight against Goliath, he said, “The Lord who delivered me from the paw of the lion and the paw of the bear will deliver me from the hand of this Philistine” (1 Samuel 17:37). David trusted the God who had sustained him through dangerous situations in the past. He had seen and experienced God’s power and protection in his life, and this developed within him a fearless faith.
Storms also become our stories to encourage others to trust God in their times of fear. What better conversations can we have than ones that share what Jesus has done in our lives?
As you reflect on all that God has done in the storms of your life, you will find a find stronger and deeper faith.
Isn’t it time to put fear in its place–and trust God for all of your storms?
Here’s a five-minute video about God’s faithfulness:
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In a world where we strive to have as much control over every aspect of our lives. We are adding so much more stress than necessary. Adding stress then makes us fear that what we have planned for our lives may not happen. Then we take a mental evaluation and start building that fear because everything is falling apart; nothing is going right. Once we realize that God had this perfect plan and we can let go of the reigns, let go of the stress and fear, we can live our life knowing God is in control. He holds the map; He will lead you through.
Kat, thank you for insightful comment.
I definitely needed the reminder that with just God’s word can strengthen my faith in the same way that exercises strengthen my muscles. I too have felt let down by God’s Emet, but only because I didn’t get what I thought I needed, God had bigger plans for me.
How true that God has big plans for each of us–and how important we don’t limit him!
This was an enjoyable read. It serves as a powerful reminder that just because you choose to follow God doesn’t neccessarily shield you from life’s challenges. When I was younger I couldn’t grasp this concept which led me to lose my way. Now that I am older, I value the journey with newfound wisdom and understanding.
What a great testimony!