Man vs. FearSample

Entering the Eye of the Storm

For years, I was the designated executioner in our house.

If there was a spider, centipede, mosquito, or “What is that?!!,” it was my job as the man to seek and destroy. If my wife and young children couldn’t do it, my role was to take care of business.

Helping others deal with their fears is a lot like that. You come in and do what you can to assist.

In today’s passage, Jesus and the disciples were in a boat when a furious squall came upon them, with waves crashing into the vessel. Fearing for their lives, the disciples woke Jesus up. Mark 4:39 says, “He got up, rebuked the wind and said to the waves, ‘Quiet! Be still!’ Then the wind died down and it was completely calm.”

We wish it were always this easy, where Jesus would step in and save the day with a word or two. Sometimes, He does.

But often, He works through others. You have people in your life who are going through their figurative storms, and they’re afraid, as the disciples were (v. 40); perhaps He can work through you to help them?

But how?

First, the more comfortable you are in processing and dealing with your own fears by God’s strength, the more able you will be to aid someone else. You will have empathy and understanding, which makes you trustworthy.

Second, the more experience you’ve had in seeing the Lord deliver you from your fears and your troubles, the more credible you’ll be when offering support to others. Let’s suppose someone is stressed that they lost their job. You can share the story of how Jesus helped you in similar circumstances.

You don’t have to calm the storm instantly like Jesus. After all, who else is like Jesus? But if you come in Jesus’ Name, having battled with fear yourself and seen victory, you’ll render better help to others.

You come in Jesus’ Name because He’s the one who defeats storms, not you. We listen and comfort with Jesus’ compassion because we ourselves have known God’s compassion in our times of trouble (2 Corinthians 1:4).

We point others to Jesus, encouraging them to see Him in the midst of their storm. It may seem like He’s silent and sleeping, but He is there. And we pray with them that Jesus would rebuke the wind and waves that they’re facing.

Prayer: Lord, as You have come to my aid, may I be available to support others when they’re dealing with fear. May I not be judgmental or condescending. May I wake up to their needs and come in Jesus’ Name to point them to You for true help. Amen.

Reflection: Who in your life is going through a fearful or worrisome time now? How can you approach them and point them to Jesus, who can calm their fears? How can you pray for them?