Fear Not Tomorrow

It’s the fear that stops my breathing and causes a very unattractive rash to start spreading on my neck…

Being caught in a storm at sea. Or on a lake. Or even a backyard pond.

I have no intention of ever being in a situation where I have to whack seagulls on the head with a paddle for lunch while clinging to a strand of seaweed.

Perhaps it’s past experiences that create this almost irrational fear of being lost in the middle of a body of water in a storm of It’s never been this bad proportion with the boat capsizing.

…There was the canoe incident at Camp Fire Girls Camp when I was 10. I was taking the tip-your-canoe-over in the middle of the lake on purpose to prove that you could save yourself. Who in their right mind thought that was a good idea? Storm clouds came, rain descended, I couldn’t open my eyes because the rain pellets hurt my eyeballs, I gulped 32 gallons of lake water while trying to keep my head above the waves, and the lifeguard just stood on the shore with her clipboard, monitoring my progress.

..And then there was the sailboat incident in the Madeline Islands with a group of friends. Darkest clouds and strongest winds I’ve ever seen. The rain was falling sideways. Leaning just like our sailboat. Even our rent-a-captain thought we were going to die.

So, yeah. Going on a cruise is not on my bucket list.

That’s why I find the story of Jesus calming the storm in Mark 4 so…simply amazing.

One of Jesus’ best friends, Mark, tells the story of going with Jesus and the other disciples for a boat ride. He writes, “A furious squall came up.” Well, doesn’t that just sound peachy. The “waves broke over the boat, so that it was nearly swamped.” Breathe…breathe…breathe…

And where was Jesus? “Jesus was in the stern, sleeping on a cushion.” (I wonder why Mark detailed the cushion thing. Maybe it’s because it makes us even more aware of how very relaxed and not-stressed Jesus was during the furious squall.)

This story jumpstarts my faith battery big time.

Jesus was not hunched over in the boat, wringing his hands, whispering, What should we do? Who has a book that tells us what to do in a furious squall with waves breaking over the boat? Does anyone get a signal here? I need to call my friend and ask her what we should do.

No. Jesus was sleeping. Resting. Without fear.

His heart could rest because He knew The One who was right there riding out the storm with them.

Every single day of his life, Jesus was focused on his Father. He never focused on his situation.

I’ve been listening to the song, “Fear Not Tomorrow.” {Nobody sings it better than the Collingsworth Family. Check them out on YouTube.}

Just think about these words…

Are you troubled o’er things to come? Is your future unsure?
And are you dreading the coming dawn? A long day to endure?
Fear not tomorrow. God is already there.
He’s charting the course you take. He sees each hidden snare.
He’s waiting to guide you through each burden and care.
Fear not tomorrow. God is already there.

Many things about tomorrow I don’t seem to understand.
Oh, but I know Who holds tomorrow.
And l know, oh, I know. Yes, I know Who holds my hand.
Fear not tomorrow. God is already there.

These days feel like we’re riding in a furious squall with waves breaking over the boat, don’t they?

And yet…
I truly believe that we can choose faith instead of what-if’s, rest instead of pacing, and trust instead of worry.

Why?
Fear not tomorrow. God is already there.

 

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Comments

  1. Gaye, thank you for posting this! I just found out a friend got a cancer diagnosis–I shared the song with her. oxoxo

  2. Oh, thank you for your note. I’m sorry to hear about your friend; I pray that she found some encouragement in these words. Blessings on your weekend, my friend!

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