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 in 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 Apostle 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.” (Oh, good heavens.)
And where was Jesus? “Jesus was in the stern, sleeping on a cushion.” (I wonder why Mark detailed the cushion thing. Maybe 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.
If your faith needs a little jumpstart, open your Bible and read some of the stories from Matthew, Mark, Luke, or John. Those guys saw the faithfulness of Jesus, his miracles, his compassion. And they teach us how and why we can live without fear.
And another suggestion …
Listen to the song “Fear Not Tomorrow.” (Nobody sings it better than the Collingsworth Family in my opinion.)
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.
If your days feel like you’re riding in a furious squall with waves breaking over the boat, remember that there’s Someone Else in that boat with you. He knows what’s ahead, and He’s going there with you.
Fear not tomorrow. God is already there.
“When you pass through the waters,
I will be with you;
and when you pass through the rivers,
they will not sweep over you.”
Isaiah 43:2
P.S. This note is edited from a chapter in my book, “Getting My Ducks in a Row and Other Stories of Faith.” You should think about getting a copy of this book. It will encourage your heart!
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