Where is Your Faith?

Thanks again for joining me as we overcome our fears in the powerful name of Jesus! Can I share another story with you about overcoming fear that Jesus has used powerfully in my life?  

Mark 4 says, “That day when evening came, he said to his disciples, ’Let us go over to the other side.’ Leaving the crowd behind, they took him along, just as he was, in the boat. There were also other boats with him. A furious squall came up, and the waves broke over the boat, so that it was nearly swamped. Jesus was in the stern, sleeping on a cushion. The disciples woke him and said to him, ‘Teacher, don’t you care if we drown?’  He got up, rebuked the wind and said to the waves, ’Quiet! Be still!’ Then the wind died down and it was completely calm. He said to his disciples, ’Why are you so afraid? Do you still have no faith?’ They were terrified and asked each other, ‘Who is this? Even the wind and the waves obey him!’” (Mark 4:35-41, NIV) 

When I read this story, the truth jumped off the page at me: fear occurs when we disconnect ourselves from God!

A disconnect happened to the guys in the boat. In Mark’s account of what happened, you can hear it in their question, “Don’t you care?” Have you ever asked that? God, don’t you care about what is happening to me? I have found in my own life that when a crisis comes I have a decision to make—will I make God my ever-present ally or my convenient enemy? The disciples assumed that God was distant even though he was right in the middle of the storm with them. Out of that disconnect comes a question from Jesus. Where is your faith? 

friend, where is your faith? Have you put your faith in your home—what about when a hurricane shows up or the river waters start to rise? Have you put your faith in your own personal strength or your own ability? Remember, God says, “It’s not by might, nor by power, but by my Spirit says the Lord God of hosts.” Have you put your faith in your health? What happens when a doctor says the “heart surgery” words?  Have you put all your faith in other human beings hoping that they will somehow value you? Where is your faith right now in this present moment?  

My mentor John used to say, “You must train yourself to trust in God regardless of your circumstance.” Do you know why Jesus was sleeping? It was because He wasn’t afraid!  Why wasn't He afraid? Because He was in control! Do you know that the same peace that wrapped around Jesus is available to you? Isaiah 26:3 says, “You will keep in perfect peace him whose mind is steadfast, because he trusts in you.” (Isaiah 26:3, NIV) 

friend, we all have to learn to put our fear in the right context. At the end of the story we see a transfer of fear. One second they are afraid of dying, and the next, they are taking a step back from the guy who just told the storm to quiet down. They were afraid of the storm and now they are experiencing the fear of God. I grew up being taught that I should be very afraid of God because He was perfect and I was a worm and He could squash me at any second. I had an unhealthy, cowering fear of God. The Bible talks about fearing God a lot and it can be confusing. How can I fear someone that I am supposed to love? Some people see it as simple obedience.

Ecclesiastes 12:13-14: “Now all has been heard; here is the conclusion of the matter: Fear God and keep his commandments, for this is the whole duty of man. For God will bring every deed into judgment, including every hidden thing, whether it is good or evil.” (Ecclesiastes 12:13-14, NIV) 

Here is another perspective: Psalm 19:9-12 “The fear of the LORD is pure, enduring forever. The ordinances of the LORD are sure and altogether righteous. They are more precious than gold, than much pure gold; they are sweeter than honey, than honey from the comb.” (Psalm 19:9-12, NIV) 

My friend, the God who takes naps in the middle of the storms wants to give you that miraculous peace and confidence right now.

So, rest easy. Face your fear with the power of Jesus. He is with you! And never forget...

You are a miracle!