Uh-oh

Read > Mark 4:35-41

The disciples were absolutely terrified (v. 41).

It was a great hotel room. The only problem was that it was in Manhattan, on the eleventh floor of a building with windows that didn’t open. I’m not a big fan of small, enclosed spaces, and the walls seemed to be closing in on me. I suddenly felt sweaty and my pulse quickened.

The disciples had one of those “uh-oh” moments on the Sea of Galilee. It all started when Jesus said, “Let’s cross to the other side of the lake” (v. 35). He then allowed an encounter with deadly whitecaps and wind so that He could teach the disciples that He was (and is) “supreme over all creation” (Colossians 1:15).

Fear often has a greater purpose – a godly purpose. It’s up to us to reach out to Jesus and look for His lesson. Unfortunately, the disciples let fear engulf them before reaching for Jesus’ help. They wanted until the boat was filling with water to shout, “Teacher, don’t You care that we’re going to drown?” (Mark 4:38). If we’re going to offset fear, we have to call on Jesus pronto – the moment we feel afraid. It’s like the psalmist said, “When I am afraid, I will put my trust in You” (Psalm 56:3).

Oddly, that reflexive response to fear comes from acknowledging that Jesus is far “scarier” than anything else. Mark noted that “the disciples were absolutely terrified” (Mark 4:41) after Jesus’ miracle. Sure, they were seriously spooked by the storm, but they were terrified after watching Jesus turn howling wind to utter silence and smooth the deafening waves into tranquil waters.

Whether it’s the wide-open sea at night or a teensy room in the middle of a city, fear can bring on those “uh-oh” moments. But with God’s help, we do not have to let fear flood the boat. – Jennifer Benson Schuldt

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I prayed to the Lord, and He answered me. He freed me from all my fears (Psalm 34:4).

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What are some lessons that Jesus might be teaching you through a recent experience with fear? What can you do to keep fear from ruling your life?