Fear Not!

Fear Not!

Jesus responded, “Why are you afraid? You have so little faith!” Matthew 8:26

Scripture repeatedly reminds us to have faith and not to fear.

As a doctor, a lot of my job involves alleviating fear and encouraging faith. When patients are waiting for test results, I tell them not to worry too early. I tell them to wait until we get the results back and know what we’re dealing with. When they fear going to the hospital or having surgery, I remind them to trust in the experienced hands of those who will be taking care of them. And with all my patients, I want them to have faith that God is in control.

I understand why my patients fear the unknown and the undiagnosed. When something is amiss with our health, all sorts of thoughts run rampant through our minds. Sometimes the diagnosis is simple and easily treatable. When that happens, a patient’s sigh of relief is audible.

“Wow, thanks, I thought it was something more serious!”

Even when the diagnosis is serious or life-threatening, if we put treatment plans in place, the patient has less to fear. Fear grows exponentially when fueled by the unknown.

Maybe that’s why Jesus appears so frustrated with his disciples in today’s verse. He was sitting right in front of them. What did they have to fear? They had the answer to all of life’s questions in their very presence, and they could ask him anything they wanted. Yet they still doubted, and they still had fear.

With two thousand years of hindsight, it’s easy to blame the disciples for their lack of faith. But aren’t we also guilty of the same thing? We have all the answers that the early disciples had—and we have even more knowledge because we can see life through the historical lens of Scripture. We know that Jesus overcame death on the cross! Why should we ever doubt or fear? He is the way, the truth, and the life!

TODAY’S RX

Seeing Jesus’ power throughout history should make us faithful and fearless.

Jesus, be with me when my fears are overwhelming. Help my soul to be still. Remind me of your power and victory over evil, and comfort me in your embrace.