Jesus asked His disciples this question more than once in Matthew 6:30, Matthew 8:26, Matthew 14:31, Matthew 16:8 .."Why are you afraid?" I don't think it was because He was surprised they were scared. Think about the one famous story most everyone is familiar with. The disciples (and Jesus) are in a boat on the sea of Galilee. The wind is fierce, the waves are roaring, the boat is rocking, and water is coming into the boat. Jesus is sleeping peacefully but the disciples are in a fearful panic.
These are imaginary problems. You heard me ..imaginary.
Hear me now and I'll explain what I mean.
The storm is real, right? The disciples in full panic mode wake Jesus afraid they are going to drown. Then He asks, "Why are you afraid?" To me it's obvious, right? That question kept going through my head because Jesus saw the storm, felt it, heard it. So why would He even ask? As I pondered His question over and over, something dawned on me. Jesus did not ask, "Is there a storm?" He asked, "Why are you afraid?" In other words, He's not questioning the circumstances because that's all around them . He's questioning the story they are telling themselves about those circumstances. And honestly I think that's where a lot of fear comes from. Not just what we're facing but what we've already decided that it means:
'This is going to ruin me'
'I'm not gong to make it through this'
'Nothing is ever going to change'
'I'm going to fail again'
'Nothing ever goes right for me'
Noticed what happened. Here it is, the crux of this story. The mind answered the future before the future even arrived! And fear usually lives in that gap! See, the disciples weren't drowning yet BUT INTERNALLY they had already started imagining the outcome and that's what hit me. Why? Because I realized how often I have done this. Sometimes uncertain things happen and my mind can immediately write the worst ending. Then, maybe like some of you, I start reacting to a story that hasn't happened.
MAYBE THAT'S WHY Jesus asked the question "why are you afraid?" Not to shame them but to interrupt the conclusion they had already agreed with. According to scripture, "Fear has torment" (1 John 4:18) and the Bible also tells us, "Be anxious for nothing" (Philippians 4:6-7) Anxious means fear, unease, nervousness. So Jesus wanted to interrupt the conclusion they had already agreed to before faith had a chance to. Sometimes the most spiritual thing you can do is pause and ask, "What outcome have I already decided is inevitable? We sometimes create unnecessary worry, doubt, and fear before the future has even been created! So, why are you afraid? Don't entertain those thoughts. Trust in the Lord and His word, "All things work together for good to those who are in Christ Jesus" (Romans 8:28). Also, "You will keep him in perfect peace, Whose mind is stayed on You, because he trusts in You" (Isaiah 26:3).
Regardless of everyday storms, frightening winds rocking your world, troubles that seem to almost overwhelm and drown you, DO NOT CREATE AN OUTCOME IN THE FUTURE USING YOUR MIND THROUGH FEAR THAT HASN'T HAPPENED. If you are a Christian, you know your Father's voice, you know His promises, you know His provisions. Despite storms, trust Him. He won't let you drown even though at times, you may get soaked to the bone, water may get as high as your neck, but IF YOU ARE HIS, you will weather any storm that comes your way for He will, "order His angels to protect you wherever you go. They will hold you up with their hands so you won’t even dash your foot against a stone" (Psalm 91:11-12).
Until He Comes,
-Pat-
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