Freedom From Fear, Part 6:
When Circumstance Looms
Last week, in FREEDOM
FROM FEAR, Part 5, we learned that though God is always there to help us in our
moments of fear, intentional, unconfessed sin can separate us from the His help.
Our job is to confess our sin, and then continue to place our trust in Him. But
what about the times when we don't have sin separating us from God, yet when we
try to break free from fear by taking a stand in faith, we still waver?
Matthew records two stories of storms at sea. Two weeks ago we looked at the
first one, where Jesus was calmly sleeping in the back of the boat. When the
disciples woke Him up, He rebuked them for their fear, then He calmed the storm.
Six chapters later, we find a similar story, only this time, Jesus isn't even in
the boat.
Friends, when we are faithful in giving our fears to God, we come through the
storms of life victorious. But we have to understand that we may have to face
that, or a similar storm again! And this time, the playing field might not be
the same!
Let's take a look at this story: "Immediately Jesus made the disciples get
into the boat and go on ahead of him to the other side … When evening came, he
was there alone, but the boat was already a considerable distance from land,
buffeted by the waves because the wind was against it." (Matt 14:22-24 NIV)
Notice that there is no reference in these verses of the disciples being afraid
this time. They learned their lesson well. They knew that even though Jesus
wasn't with them, God still held them in the palm of His hands!
But the story doesn't stop here: "During the fourth watch of the night Jesus
went out to them, walking on the lake. When the disciples saw him walking on the
lake, they were terrified. "It's a ghost," they said, and cried out in fear."
(Matt 14:25-26 NIV)
Though victorious over fear in the storm, the disciples allowed fear to overcome
them when they saw Jesus walking on the water.
I don't know about you, but I think I would also be afraid if I saw an
apparition walking on water!
But that "apparition" was none other than Jesus Himself.
Friends, the majority of the things that make us afraid aren't really worthy of
our fear! Jesus' true nature was masked by the storm, and so often, the storms
of life make ordinary, everyday things look scary as well. But no matter what,
we can trust God to get us through! Our job is simply to give our fear - all of
it! - to Him, to put our trust completely in His care, to keep our eyes focused
solely on Him. When we do, we won't even see the things that are all around us.
We will simply ride comfortably in the arms of our Heavenly Father, fully
trusting Him to get us through.
But Jesus understands our fears, and He will always meet us where we are at:
"But Jesus immediately said to them: 'Take courage! It is I. Don't be afraid.'"
(Matt 14:27 NIV)
The moment we allow that fear to creep back in, He is there to gently remind us:
"I'm here! Don't be afraid!"
But we still may not be convinced. Peter wasn't: "'Lord, if it's you, … tell
me to come to you on the water.' 'Come,' he said. Then Peter got down out of the
boat, walked on the water and came toward Jesus." (Matt 14:28-30 NIV)
God understands our need to experience things before we believe, and Jesus says
to us as well, "Come!" When we obey, we, too, can experience complete freedom
from fear.
But there is one criteria: We must keep our eyes on Jesus! "But when he saw
the wind, he was afraid and, beginning to sink, cried out, 'Lord, save me!'"
(Matt 14:30 NIV)
Just like Peter, the minute we take our eyes off of Jesus, we see the looming
circumstance, and the doubt returns! And the minute this happens, we WILL sink!
Freedom from fear, then, requires faith, but it also requires that we stop
looking at the storm. If we keep our eyes on God, no matter what new thing is
thrown our way, we will prevail! But if we don't, then like Peter, we will sink!
God is so good. "Immediately Jesus reached out his hand and caught him."
(Matt 14:31a)
Even when we fall back into our fear, God is still right there to catch us. All
we have to do is to turn our eyes back upon Him.
Jesus' next words were spoken with so much love: "You of little faith … why
did you doubt?" (Matt 14:31 NIV)
And when you think back on it, you, too, will say, "Yes, why DID I doubt
anyway???"
Freedom from fear, friends, is a result of an unwavering faith that only looks
to Jesus. But isn't this a bit simplistic of a response for the fears of things
that are inevitable? Things like - Death?
Join us next week for FREEDOM FROM FEAR, Part 7: The Fear of Death.
In His love,
Lyn
Lyn Chaffart, Mother of two teens, Author and Moderator for The Nugget, a
tri-weekly internet newsletter, and Scriptural Nuggets, a website devoted to
Christian devotionals and inspirational poems,
www.scripturalnuggets.org, with
Answers2Prayer Ministries,
www.Answers2Prayer.org.