Day 284, October 11 Chronological Bible Study Timeline. Map. Go to today’s Bible reading (use your browser arrow to return): Mark 4:35–5:43; Matthew 8:23–9:34; Luke 8:22-56; John 5:1-15
Overcoming our Fears
What do people fear? Loss of income? Family? Failure? Sickness? Things that are strange or unfamiliar? Death? What do we fear? How do we overcome our fears? We will look briefly at several true stories of fear and faith and see what we can learn from them.
Overcoming our Fear of Storms
In our first story, Jesus was in a boat with his disciples. “A furious squall came up, and the waves broke over the boat so that it was nearly swamped” (Mark 4:37, NIV). The disciples feared going under and drowning. Jesus, however, was asleep on a cushion in the boat. He was practicing the prophet Isaiah’s words, “You will keep in perfect peace him whose mind is steadfast, because he trusts in you” (Isaiah 26:3, NIV). He was also fulfilling the prophecy in Psalms.
If you make the Most High your dwelling— even the LORD, who is my [the psalmist’s] refuge—then no harm will befall you, no disaster will come near your tent. For he will command his angels concerning you to guard you in all your ways (Psalms 91:9-11, NIV).
This verse does not in any way imply that we should tempt the LORD by creating dangerous circumstances (Matthew 4:6) or that we shouldn’t try to use the abilities and opportunities God has given us to deliver ourselves. However, we should trust the LORD in circumstances beyond our control. Faith in God leads to peace and even sleep.
Conquering our Fear of Evil and Fear of Loss
In story two, Jesus drives out demons in a man and sends them into a herd of pigs. The demon-filled pigs then run insanely over a cliff, killing themselves. When the townspeople hear about it, they are amazed by the man but disturbed about the pigs. Perhaps, trusting in Jesus will be costly to their business.
Have we had any of the same fears? It is true, trusting in Jesus can be expensive. Still, the Apostle Paul promises, “... my God will meet all your needs according to his glorious riches in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 4:19, NIV). God can replace what we lose; he has riches beyond imagination. We must learn to trust that the Lord is our provider in all circumstances.
Dispelling our Fear of Death and Disease
Our third story has two scenarios. First, Jarius, a synagogue ruler, has a daughter near death, and he pleads with Jesus to come and heal her. He has faith in him. After hearing reports that she died, however, he loses confidence. Jesus ignores the message and encourages the synagogue leader, “don’t be afraid; just believe” (Mark 5:36, NIV).
It is challenging to have faith in God in dark or impossible situations. We are glad for the man who had his daughter brought back to life, but we know it is not always God’s will to heal. How do we not falter in our faith in such circumstances? The Lord wants us to trust him in all situations. He will either bring physical healing if it pleases him, or bring emotional and spiritual healing to those left.
While Jesus and his disciples are on the way to heal Jarius’ daughter, a woman, who has some internal bleeding, touches Jesus.
She said to herself, “If I only touch his cloak, I will be healed.” Jesus turned and saw her. “Take heart, daughter,” he said, “your faith has healed you.” And the woman was healed from that moment (Matthew 9:21-22, NIV).
God can heal if it pleases him. Ask him and have faith that he can do it!
Disabliing our Fear of Disability
The stories of two blind men and a lame man also speak of the necessity of faith to be healed (Matthew 9 and John 5). Their trust in God was rewarded—their sight and limbs were restored.
When we come to God with confidence that he can answer our requests, he is pleased. “I am the LORD, the God of all mankind. Is anything too hard for me?” (Jeremiah 32:27, NIV). If a child came to us and asked us to do something for him but did not believe we would or could do it, would we help him? It is not likely that we would, for we would be offended.
Unbelief is not only an offense to us; it is an offense to God.
“.. without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him” (Hebrews 11:6, NIV).
Do we believe that? Do we seek him? Are our beliefs expressed in what we say and do? James says in his book:
In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead. But someone will say, “You have faith; I have deeds.” Show me your faith without deeds, and I will show you my faith by what I do (James 2:17-18, NIV)
note: Matthew 8:28 says two men were demon-possessed, while the other gospel accounts mention just one man. This can easily be reconciled if one man was much more violent than the other and had this reputation. Perhaps he was the leader.
Discussion
Jesus lay in the boat fast asleep while a storm raged and threatened to sink the boat. How would he have overcome any fear? What can we learn from him?