Are you a fearful Christian?
You read the news and you’re scared.
Someone you love is facing a health crisis and you’re scared.
You’re facing challenges in a personal relationship and you’re scared.
Pause a moment and think about this… are you a fearful Christian?
Confession… I am.
I have this illness called anxiety which paves the golden road to fear.
It’s hard to admit that I’m fearful, but through prayer and study of scripture, I have gained some insights into fear.
This past summer I had a health scare. A lump which previously wasn’t of concern, now was.
As the doctor expressed his concern, I felt winded and my mind tumbled through multiple worst-case scenarios. In the hours that followed, I cried, I googled various types of cancers, I read through my life insurance policy, and I even tweaked my final blog post for when I die (yes, I have one).
Friends, I plummeted into sorrow and self-pity. It wasn’t until I broke completely, that I cried out to God.
Yes, you read that right. I went through all of this self-inflicted torment before crying out to God. Of course I had whispered short prayers to Him, but I didn’t truly lean on Him. I didn’t get on my knees and confess my fear. I didn’t place everything in His hands.
It wasn’t until I was completely broken that I reached out and begged for God’s help.
I unfortunately do this more than I care to admit. I come to God when I’m completely broken rather than before I break. Do you do this too?
I recently got some clarity on why I do this….
And when he got into the boat, his disciples followed him. And behold, there arose a great storm on the sea, so that the boat was being swamped by the waves; but he was asleep. And they went and woke him, saying, “Save us, Lord; we are perishing.” And he said to them,“Why are you afraid, O you of little faith?” Then he rose and rebuked the winds and the sea, and there was a great calm. And the men marveled, saying, “What sort of man is this, that even winds and sea obey him?” Matthew 8: 23-27 (ESV)
I have read this scripture so many times and understood it as the miracle of Jesus calming the wind and the sea. I have seen this scripture as evidence of Jesus being the powerful and almighty Son of God.
However, there is so much more to this scripture.
This scripture was meant for us when we get fearful. It’s intended for the fearful Christian.
Just a couple chapters previously, we learned that the disciples were with Jesus when He performed miracles. They saw him make a paralytic man walk, and witnessed him cast out a demon. How could they possibly be fearful of a storm?
As I reflected on this scripture I thought about how we are bound to face storms in life. We may feel powerless and it may seem like everything is out of control, but this scripture reminds us:
Never forget who’s in the boat with you.
Friends, you are not alone. God is with you.
Despite the crashing waves and the tossing of your little ship, you will never be lost at sea. The Lord loves you and wants you to know just how precious you are to Him.
If we can remember who’s in the boat with us, we’ll never be fearful again.
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Unless otherwise indicated, scripture quotations are from the ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
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This is truly beautiful and thank you my dear friend for the lovely reminder here today. Have a wonderful day and week ahead now, too xoxo <3
I delighted this reminder blessed you Janine. Wishing you a lovely week too.
Jennifer I have to admit that I’m also a fearful christian. I also suffer from anxiety and I’m always doubting everything but I need to have more faith. That scripture was just what I needed to read this morning.
I’m delighted this post and this scripture resonated with you Amanda!
I can so identify with this, Jennifer! Fear and anxiety plagued me for years. As I began to study God’s word I gained a greater understanding of who He is and who I am in Christ. It’s not that I don’t ever feel fearful anxious, but like you said- I know who is in my boat now. Thanks for this open, transparent post. I will definitely be sharing!
I’m delighted this resonated with you Alisa. It’s funny how I’ve been a Christian for almost 5 years now and I finally had this epiphany that fighting anxiety isn’t my fight. I finally know who’s in my boat and I feel so much “safer” and happier now!
Amen and amen. Even if we feel like we’re sinking, this is a true reminder: we’re not alone in the boat.
We can be confident as a result of this revelation! Amen! Thanks Robin :)
Oh how I know this cycle too well myself. I’ve wondered about you when I saw you needed to have surgery to remove this spot from your body. I was a afraid for you even. But, aside from that, this be afraid – try to figure it all out and get some answers – still be afraid (maybe even moreso) – then finally break and ask for help is so familiar. In fact, just last night I told Hun that I greatly dislike being away from him when there’s something happening in life because he’s the one that I can break with without losing my actual strength. Of course, I have my Higher Power, but so often he doesn’t talk back when I really need to hear/see something more immediately. (We’re so impatient as people, aren’t we?) Nonetheless, I do hope that you’re at home again and recovering well, as I recall your surgery being this week sometime. My thoughts and well wishes to you, your lovely daughters, your husband and the rest of your family. :)
Thanks for sharing your thoughts on this Kendall.
My appointment on Wednesday was just a surgery consultation. I won’t be having the actual surgery for 6-8 months (it’s a long wait list)!
I appreciate your kind words. Wishing you a beautiful weekend.
Considering what you’re going through, Jennifer, it’s understandable that you would be overwhelmed first before remembering who’s in the boat with you. :) Thank you for sharing this candid, relatable, and inspiring post. -Elle
Thank you so much for the kind and supportive words Elle. I’m delighted this inspired you.
Wishing you a lovely weekend.
You know, I think that God welcomes anxiety. I think He is okay with nervousness and shyness. We should fear…. but our fear should be towards Him! If we fear Him, fear the Love He has for US, we gain an entirely new respect and appreciation for his power, righteousness, and Holiness!
That’s an interesting perspective Kaitlyn! Thank you for sharing!
Matthew 10:28 says for us not to fear what can only kill our body. Instead, fear Him because he can kill our body and destory our hearts.
You know I’ve struggled with my faith for a while, but the last 6 months I’ve felt more and more like God is working in my life. I definitely suffer from fear of the unknown at times, but turning to God is a great way to feel more at peace. Beautiful post my dear!
I’m so happy to hear that Tiffany! God does give us peace. Keep pushing closer to Him – He will continue to amaze you.
xoxo
I really enjoyed this article. It is one of my favourite Bible stories. Yet I am riddled with fear and anxiety. I read all these faith promises but then remember the horrors that man inflicts on man. I remember the concentration camps and the white haters in my own country and evil among us. Then the anxiety returns and I am back where I started!
I’m delighted you enjoyed this. I struggle with anxiety. It is a challenge and can run rampant when we allow it. I’ll be praying for you to be healed. Blessings and love to you.
God is sovereign. In this life, we will all encounter trials and tribulations. We are to be of good cheer as we realize that God has overcome the world, which means He’s overcome our situation.
However, while God will never leaver or forsake us, and is with us through the storms of life, that does not mean that things will always work out the way we wish them too.
People still get sick and die. Marriages fail. Children are wayward. Finances go south, etc.
There is a reason we have to contend for the faith and work out our salvation daily.
This life is hard. God knows it and because of it, He promises to be our forever shoulder to lean on.
Thank you for sharing this encouragement for others Kim.