Fear Not

Fear Not is the command that Jesus gave to his disciples during his stay here on earth. Jesus said, do not allow fear to control your life. Is it possible to obey this command? The answer to this question is what we are going to talk about on this blog.

Highlights:

1. Fear is not a bad emotion until it starts to control your life.
2. Lack of faith always triggers Fear.

2020 started with a lot of challenges. These challenges create multiple emotions. And among these emotions, one is very much evident, and that is the feeling of Fear.

However, fear is not a bad emotion. It helps us to plan for the future. It could be an added motivator for us to manage our finances properly, to take care of our grades in the school, and to choose our relationship wisely. Of course, don’t get me wrong, it is not the sole motivator, but an added motivator for us to think and act prudently.

But, when fear starts to create panic or starts to create confusion, then it is different. When it starts to overwhelm your decisions, or it starts to take over your life, then pause for a moment and remember what Jesus said regarding this. Fear Not.

But how are we going to do that? To answer this, let me bring you to our main point in this blog.

Confidence in Jesus always overwhelms Fear

When fear starts to overwhelm us, we need to pause, and we need to recalibrate our confidence in Jesus. Because faith in what Jesus can do and what Jesus is willing to do in our life always overwhelm Fear.

Matthew, one of the eyewitnesses, recorded a story that talks directly regarding fear.

Then He got into the boat and his disciples followed him.

Matthew 8:23

Jesus went to the boat, and his disciples followed him. And they are rowing and rowing on the lake then suddenly:

Without warning, a furious storm came up on the lake, so that the waves swept over the boat.

Matthew 8:24

These guys are familiar with a thunderstorm. They are not exaggerating; some of them are fishermen and have experienced storms in their line of work. But this is different. It is unusual because it comes without warning, and it is furious.

But Jesus was sleeping.

Matthew 8:24

Which is almost impossible. I don’t know. Maybe he is faking it. Perhaps the disciples thought he was asleep. I don’t know. But Jesus is laying down. Jesus is probably observing their reaction to this very defining moment. So the disciples did what every average person would do in this situation.

The disciples went and woke him, saying, “Lord, save us! We’re going to drown!”

Matthew 8:25

The disciples went to Jesus, yelling, “Lord, save us. We are going to drown.”

Have you ever experienced this in your life? It seems everything is a mess; everywhere you look, there is chaos. There is so much problem in your relationship. Your finances are in terrible shape, threat in your workplace, your health, or your family’s health is not looking very well. It looks like you are in the middle of the storm, and it seems like Jesus is sleeping. It appears that he doesn’t care. Just like the very statement of the disciples as recorded by Mark:

“Teacher, don’t you care if we drown?”

Mark 4:38

God, don’t you see my situation? Don’t you care about my relationship? How about my finances or my work? Don’t you care? Guess what? He cares. He cares about you, and He cares about every detail of your life. But more importantly, He also cares about your faith. 

He wanted you to trust him. That is the reason, the very first response that he gave to His disciples is this:

He replied, “You of little faith, why are you so afraid?”

Matthew 8:26

Jesus has to shout these words to His disciples, “You of little faith.” Confusion and panic always translate to a lack of faith.

Then He got up and rebuked the winds and the waves, and it was completely calm.

Matthew 8:26

Amid whatever storm you are in, our God does not move an inch on His throne. He does not panic.

He got up and rebuked the winds and the waves, and it was completely calm. Then what follows next is so amazing. And I like the way Mark wrote it.

and they feared a great fear, and said one to another, `Who, then, is this, that even the wind and the sea do obey him?’

Mark 4:41, Young’s Literal Translation (YLT)

For that particular moment, their confidence in Jesus overwhelms their fear. You see, this is not a miracle story to show that Jesus has power over nature. He is teaching them about fear. He is teaching them in the same way that He is teaching us; we do not have to allow fear to overwhelm us because there is something more overwhelming. We do not have to allow fear to become the centerpiece of our lives, because there is something more capable or more potent than fear. And that is God.

Now fast forward two chapters later, Jesus solidifies this teaching by saying:

Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? Yet not one of them will fall to the ground apart from the will of your Father.

Matthew 10:29

If God cares even for the cheap things on this planet, how much more do you think will He care for you? Do you want to know how much? Look at the next verse.

And even the very hairs of your head are all numbered.

Matthew 10:30

He is involved, even with the tiny details of our life. I believe that is very comforting. Our God is very personal. That is the reason Jesus is saying:

So don’t be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows.

Matthew 10:31

Do not panic; do not be confused. You are far worth more than the sparrows. At the time of difficult situations or amid the storm, focus on developing your confidence in Jesus. Recall those times when you are in similar cases and remember how Jesus meets you and rebuked those winds and waves. Build your confidence in that. Because your confidence in Jesus will always overwhelm Fear.