THE COUNTER TO FEAR
Matthew 8:23-26 NKJV
23 Now when He got into a boat, His disciples followed Him. 24 And suddenly a great tempest arose on the sea, so that the boat was covered with the waves. But He was asleep. 25 Then His disciples came to Him and awoke Him, saying, "Lord, save us! We are perishing!"
26 But He said to them, "Why are you fearful, O you of little faith?" Then He arose and rebuked the winds and the sea, and there was a great calm.
This is one of the accounts of Jesus that Matthew, Mark, and Luke cover. Matthew's account is the shortest. But Mark and Luke both shed extra light on this story.
Matthew tells us they got in the boat, a great storm arose on the sea, and the boat was covered in the waves. And Jesus was asleep. But Mark and Luke share what Jesus said before they got in the boat. Jesus said let's cross over to the other side. This is why it is helpful to read all the accounts. Because what Jesus said was vitally important to the story.
The reason the disciples were afraid was they had little faith. So, when faith is little, fear has more of a foothold. This is a good truth to keep in mind. Whenever we see God on the scene, either in angels or His Spirit or Jesus, we hear the admonition to not be afraid. Fear not is a big theme of the scriptures.
As we read Mark and Luke, we see the reason that Jesus corrected His disciples for their lack of faith. Before the storm Jesus said let's cross over to the other side. Jesus said they were going to the other side. And because Jesus said it, the disciples had a reason, a basis for faith. Jesus said that He only spoke what He heard His father say (John 12:50 and 14:10). So when Jesus spoke, it was inspired. Jesus never was "just sayin'." When He said let's cross over to the other side His words gave the disciples something to believe.
We see the same principle in the Scriptures. Romans 10:17 says faith comes by hearing and hearing by the word of God. One modern preacher stated that faith begins where the will of God is known. This is why we preach the gospel: so people can hear and believe. Without hearing, there is no basis for faith. The apostle John wrote that the words that were written were written so that we might believe. God's words have the ability to produce faith in our hearts.
This is a key reason why spending time with God's Word is so important. God's Word produces faith in us and faith is the counter to fear. When I was battling anxiety attacks over 30 years ago, it was God's Word that the Holy Spirit whispered to my heart that enabled me to counter the attacks and walk free. And thank God I am still free.
APPLICATION
In any area where you are experiencing a level of fear do not resign yourself to the idea that it's always going to be this way. There is a counter to fear, and it's faith in God. Find a promise or a word from Him that can give you something to resist the fear with. For a number of weeks in our Sunday services we have been looking at Hebrews 13:5-6. These are the verses that promise you God will not leave or abandon you, and you can confidently say the Lord is my helper; I will not be afraid. These two verses are a powerful counter to all kinds of fear that try to come your way.
Jesus was never unfair nor did He demand of His followers what they were unable to do. When He corrected His disciples in the boat, He knew they had what they needed to have faith and resist the fear of the storm. He knew then what we are learning now: faith is the counter to fear.
PRAYER
Lord, thank You for Your word. Mixing faith with Your word is the best counter to fear!