Fear in the Eye of the Storm

By Danny Saavedra

“Immediately Jesus made the disciples get into the boat and go on ahead of him to the other side, while he dismissed the crowd. After he had dismissed them, he went up on a mountainside by himself to pray. Later that night, he was there alone, and the boat was already a considerable distance from land, buffeted by the waves because the wind was against it. Shortly before dawn Jesus went out to them, walking on the lake. When the disciples saw him walking on the lake, they were terrified. ‘It’s a ghost,’ they said, and cried out in fear. But Jesus immediately said to them: ‘Take courage! It is I. Don’t be afraid.’”—Matthew 14:22–27 (NIV)

Did you know the most frequently stated command in all of Scripture is “fear not” or “do not be afraid”? It’s said 365 times in the Bible!

This begs the question: Why is this command given so many times to so many different people across thousands of years? Because God knew this would be a struggle for all of us. He knew we’d need to be reminded daily so we would trust, have faith, find security, strength, confidence, comfort, relief, rest, and peace in Him.

Today’s passage picks up on the heels of the feeding of the 5,000. After this, Jesus “immediately” sent His disciples across the sea while He stayed behind. Interesting . . .

So, as the disciples crossed the sea, darkness descends, the winds picked up, and they found themselves alone, with no land in sight, in a massive struggle with the elements.

The thing is they weren’t alone. Unbeknownst to them, Jesus was watching the entire time. In fact, He purposefully sent them into the storm to teach them (and us) something. He wanted them to struggle to the point of being fully exhausted of their own strength. And it was in that moment when Jesus walked onto the scene—literally! Their reaction? They thought they saw a ghost!

Do you think they would’ve had the same reaction in daylight with some easy breezy weather? Maybe; maybe not. It’s much easier to think straight when you’re not in a panic.

Recently, my 87-year-old mom fainted and fell in the bathroom, busting her head open, and broke the toilet, causing it to flood. When I walked in and saw blood everywhere, I thought my mom was dead—thank God she was okay. As I helped her up, I saw the water flooding the room. I was in such a panic and consumed by fear and anxiety that I didn’t see the shutoff valve that was staring me right in the face!

See how that works? Jesus sent them into the storm in order for them to see Him in a new way. And look at the words He says to them: “Take courage! It is I. Don’t be afraid.”

Friends, do you know the Lord purposely and purposefully sends us straight into storms? And all the while, even when we can’t see Him, He’s watching and working in these hardships and trials to grow us, accomplish His perfect will in and through us, and remind us that He’s the Lord of the storm, He’s in control of all things, and HE’S WITH US IN THE STORM.

Every tempest teaches us that we can rely on Him. Through every howling wind and crashing wave, we can be certain that He will not allow us to sink to the bottom. This is a lesson I’ve learned over and over again as if for the first time. Why? Because I always seem to forget how I’ve seen Him (many times) walk on water and calm the storm as soon as a I feel a new gust of wind. And this is why “Don’t be afraid” is the most common command in Scripture and why it’s usually accompanied by “it is I” or “I am with you.”

Pause: Why did Jesus send His disciples into the storm?

Practice: Consider today how this can serve to “anchor” you in life’s storms.

Pray: Lord Jesus, anchor me in Your love and good purpose for my life as I endure the storms You’ve prepared for me to sail through. Remind me daily that even when I’m walking through the valley of the shadow of death, I have nothing to fear, FOR YOU ARE WITH ME! Thank You for being the Lord of the storm and the One in control of all things. Thank You for always being there and for never taking Your eyes off of me. Thank You that even when I do succumb to fear, Your response is always, “Take courage! It is I. Don’t be afraid.” As You told Abraham, "Do not be afraid . . . I am your shield.” As You told Joshua, “Do not be afraid . . . the LORD your God is with you wherever you go." As You said in Isaiah, “Do not fear, for I am with you; do not be afraid, for I am your God. I will strengthen you; I will surely help you.” May these promises be ever on my heart. In Your powerful and peace-bringing name I pray, Jesus. Amen.