Why Are You So Afraid?

By: Jeanne Culp

As a life-long resident of central Florida, I am quite familiar with storms! Tropical storms and hurricanes are a way of life here from June through November. Fortunately, we always have several days to prepare for these events as they are tracked well in advance of arrival. The storm we read about in Matthew chapter 8 is quite different. The disciples in the boat with Jesus did not have the advantage of such a warning. These were experienced fishermen who no doubt had survived storms before, but this one came up strong and without warning! 

“Then He got into the boat and His disciples followed him. Suddenly a furious storm came up on the lake, so that the waves swept over the boat. But Jesus was sleeping. The disciples went and woke Him saying, ‘Lord, save us! We're going to drown!’ He replied, ‘You of little faith, Why are you so afraid?’ Then He got up and rebuked the winds and the waves, and it was completely calm. The men were amazed and asked, ‘What kind of Man is this? Even the winds and the waves obey Him!’” (Matt 8:23-27)

Over the years, as I’ve read this account, I have felt compassion for the disciples here. After all, it was a furious storm, and it happened suddenly! Calling out to Jesus in fear seems reasonable. Fear is a natural response when one feels threatened with harm. So wasn’t their fear justified? But then I think about what they had just witnessed before they got into the boat - amazing healing miracles, one after another! Hearing Jesus commend the faith of the centurion, who believed that Jesus could heal his servant long distance...and He did! They had seen His POWER up close. 

So Jesus asked, ‘Why are you so afraid?” They also witnessed His PEACE as He slept amidst the furious storm. How could He remain so calm when their lives were being threatened? The peace that Christ felt could only come from His complete surrender to the will of His Father. He knew that His mission was not yet completed. Weren’t they aware of that, too? So He asked them, “Why are you so afraid?”

And I recall the eternal PROMISES that Christ had given to His followers in His mountain sermon (Matthew 5-7). He concluded His thoughts with “...Everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock. The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house, yet it did not fall, because it had its foundation on the rock.” They had heard the promise that they would be blessed if they endured. So Jesus asked, “Why are you so afraid?” I ask myself that same question at times. Why am I so afraid?

I've seen His POWER too, all around me - in nature, in hearts that are changed, through answered prayers....I’ve felt His PEACE (though not often enough!) when I stay focused on Him. Only then can I experience stillness on the inside, even with upsetting situations occurring on the outside. And I’ve seen His PROMISES fulfilled over and over - rainbows after a thunderstorm, the promise of forgiveness and an abundant life in Him. Christ has promised that even when hard things come, whether physical, emotional, financial or world events, we can withstand them if our foundation is built on Him.

Recalling His Promises reminds me of a hymn from my childhood:

“Standing on the promises of Christ, my King,

Through eternal ages, let His praises ring,

Glory in the highest, I will shout and sing,

Standing on the promises of God.

Standing on the promises that cannot fail,

When the howling storms of doubt and fear assail,

By the living Word of God, I shall prevail,

Standing on the promises of God.”

- R K Carter 1886

I have a vivid memory of my Dad leading that song and commenting - “Folks, we need to start Standing on the Promises, not just Sitting on the Premises.” I think he meant that we should avoid being “pew-warmers”! Instead, we must stand up, take action, and be confident in the spiritual blessings we have been given! “For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind” (2 Timothy 1:7).

This sounds like a bold, stand-up faith, even when the storms of life seem overwhelming. Our circumstances may not change, BUT WE CAN, by trusting the One who controls all storms. Maybe overcoming our fears begins with reminding ourselves of the POWER, the PEACE, and the PROMISES of our Savior!

Why are we so afraid? With His power, peace, and promises, what could we possibly have to fear?