Why Are You So Afraid?

I know from experience that when faced with troublesome circumstances beyond our control, our natural reaction is to fear, but we must ask ourselves, “Why are you so afraid? Have you still no faith?” Have we forgotten our Father, and how many times he has delivered us? Yes, the storm is raging, but he can calm the storm. All he needs to do is say, “Peace, be still,” and the winds will cease (Mark 4:35-41).

Your Lord once freed a man tormented by a legion of evil spirits. The man used to walk day and night among the tombs, cutting himself with stones. The mere presence of Jesus caused the demons to cry out, “Jesus, Son of the Most High God, what have you to do with us?” Immediately, the unclean spirits came out of him, and he was clothed and in his right mind (Mark 5:1-20). Why are you so afraid? Do you think your troubles are more significant than this?

He raised Jairus’s daughter from the dead and fed the 5000. A woman with a flow of blood for twelve years only needed to touch the hem of his garment, and he made her well. Is your distress too much for him?

Sometimes, Jesus uses the very wind and waves to approach us. When the disciples were in the boat, and the wind was against them, they saw a figure on the water and were terrified, thinking it was a ghost. Yet, the very thing that caused their fear was the Lord walking towards them on the water. If your trial has you peering into the darkness, seeking Jesus more earnestly than before, be encouraged. He is coming to you by doing a work of grace in your heart. As Charles Spurgeon used to say, “I have learned to kiss the wave that throws me against the Rock of Ages.”

Child of God, call out to your Father. The chords of death once encompassed King David. Torrents of destruction assailed him, but he called upon the Lord in his distress. He called to his God and cried for help, and so can you. Your cry will reach his ears.

Pay close attention to the poetic language in Psalm 18, which describes God’s response to his child’s prayer when he is in trouble. The earth reeled and rocked; the foundations of the mountains trembled and quaked because God was angry. Smoke went up from his nostrils and devouring fire from his mouth; glowing coals flamed forth from him.

God bowed the heavens and came down. He rescued David from his strong enemy, and he can rescue you. What you are facing may be too much for you, but it is not too much for your God. The Lord will be your support.

If you are a child of God through faith in Christ Jesus, he will rescue you because he delights in you. He will either draw you out of many waters or carry you through them. He may even invite you to walk on the waves with him by keeping your eyes on him. The Lord is your rock, your fortress, and your deliverer. So, I ask you again, why are you so afraid?

-D. Eaton