Have you ever been afraid? Afraid of being hurt, or someone you love suffering? Fear of loss, or death separating you from someone you depend on? Fear of the unknown…
Fear can present itself in many forms. In the Bible reading below, we will see a moment in time for Jesus’ disciples that is so relatable, it has become one of my most treasured bible classes to teach to young children.
One day Jesus said to his disciples, “Let us go over to the other side of the lake.” So they got into a boat and set out.
As they sailed, he fell asleep. A squall came down on the lake, so that the boat was being swamped, and they were in great danger.
The disciples went and woke him, saying, “Master, Master, we’re going to drown!”
He got up and rebuked the wind and the raging waters; the storm subsided, and all was calm. “Where is your faith?” he asked his disciples.
In fear and amazement they asked one another, “Who is this? He commands even the winds and the water, and they obey him.”
~ Luke 8:22-25
What a moment for Jesus’ disciples! We know that several of these men were fishermen by trade and would have had experience with storms while in a boat, but this storm was intense enough that water was filling their boat. In the account above, Luke 8:23 states that “they were in great danger.” Often in my own life, my fears revolve around perceived or imagined danger, and here ~ their fear of drowning must have felt imminent as the waves crashed over them.
When teaching a preschool class, a resource I love to use is “Read ~ Aloud Bible Stories” by Ella K. Lindvall. In Volume 1, page 97 begins the story, “The Wind That Obeyed.” The vivid illustrations help as the writer paints the story of the building storm and the fear on the faces of the disciples in the boat.
“Let’s tell Jesus,” they said, “Save us Lord! Wake up! Wake up!” (Page 114).
Jesus opened His eyes. He saw the water splash. He heard the wind blow.
But He said, “Why are you afraid? I’m here.” (Page 117).
When I get to this point in the story with young children, I always see sweet relief on their faces. The story built with emotion as the storm raged and so my voice followed… and my voice calmed and quieted when Jesus opened His eyes… and He saw the water splash… and heard the wind blow, as if I were a whispering golf commentator. “Why are you afraid? I’m here.” We all breathe a deep sigh of relief. That’s right… Jesus is here.
In the Bible, Jesus asked, “Where is your faith?” (Luke 8:25) just before he rebukes the the wind and water and says “Quiet! Be still!” (Mark 4:39). The stillness that followed must have been deafening as Jesus’ words made the raging water like glass and the roaring wind was silenced.
Jesus said:
“ Do not let your hearts be troubled. You believe in God, believe also in Me.”
~John 14:1
Have you ever felt the deafening stillness after a storm in your own life? The relief when the fear is over, no matter what resulting circumstance reveals? Like the sweet children who were so relieved when Jesus said, “Why are you afraid? I’m here.” The takeaway that is so comforting to me, is that Jesus is with me. Likely resting, because He is not shaken by the things that worry me so easily. Young or old, we all understand fear, and the precious comfort we receive from having a loved one near.
I remember a time when my mother was in the ICU. She was delirious from sepsis, and having terrible hallucinations. This next part was so difficult to see… the nurses had to restrain her hands because she was pulling out IV’s and oxygen. She was struggling against the restraints, and while she could see that I was there, she also saw terrifying things she thought were real. She felt like she was in imminent danger. I was able to calmly say, “ It’s ok. I’m here. This is just a dream. You are safe, and I’m with you.” I am so thankful to report that she believed me! She relaxed against the constraints, she closed her eyes, and rested. Then my own tears came, but with thankfulness to God, because I knew we were not alone. He was with us in the storm.
“Peace I leave with you; My peace I give you. I do not give as the world gives.
Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.”
~ John 14:27
What a comfort, to have our Savior who loves us… with us, in all storms of life.