What fears do you face that Jesus can calm, as in John 6:19? The storm on the lake – a snapshot of fear “When they had rowed about three or four miles, they saw Jesus approaching the boat, walking on the sea. And they were terrified.” (John 6:19) The disciples knew the sea, yet even seasoned fishermen buckled when wind, waves, and the impossible sight of a Man on the water collided. Their sudden terror mirrors the moments when familiar life sweeps us into panic. Common waves of fear today • Unexpected crisis: health scares, financial loss, sudden grief • Uncertainty about the future: job security, cultural upheaval, world conflict • Personal inadequacy: feeling unqualified, overwhelmed, or alone • Spiritual struggle: doubt, guilt, spiritual attack • Fear of death: our own mortality, the loss of loved ones How Jesus steps into each fear • He comes near “Jesus spoke up: ‘It is I; do not be afraid.’” (John 6:20) The Greek phrase echoes “I AM,” the covenant name of God. Jesus does not send comfort from a distance; He personally arrives. • He commands calm “You of little faith … Then He got up and rebuked the winds and the sea, and it was perfectly calm.” (Matthew 8:26) The same voice that ordered creation still orders chaos. • He promises His presence “Do not fear, for I am with you … I will strengthen you.” (Isaiah 41:10) Presence, not absence of trouble, is the ground of peace. • He supplies courage “For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power, love, and self-control.” (2 Timothy 1:7) Fear is displaced when the Spirit fills the heart with His better gifts. • He secures eternity “Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for You are with me.” (Psalm 23:4) The Shepherd’s rod and staff extend beyond the grave, cutting the root of ultimate fear. Receiving His calm 1. Remember His Word • Meditate on passages like Philippians 4:6-7 and Hebrews 13:5-6. • Speak them aloud when anxiety swells. 2. Look to His person • Fix the mind on the character of Jesus revealed in the Gospels. • Picture Him stepping onto your “boat” right now. 3. Submit the circumstance • Name the fear specifically before Him. • Acknowledge that He rules wind, wave, diagnosis, economy, and heart. 4. Rest in His sovereignty • Choose to trust that every storm is under His feet, even when feelings lag. • Wait for His peace to settle like calm water. Living the calm every day • Begin mornings with gratitude for His unchanging presence. • Sing or play Scripture-saturated worship to reset anxious thoughts. • Share testimonies of His past deliverance; memory fuels present faith. • Serve others; outward love shrinks inward fear. • Stay anchored in Christian fellowship where mutual encouragement flows. Jesus still walks on the very waves that unsettle you. The fear that once shouted now must whisper in the presence of the One who says, “It is I; do not be afraid.” |
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