When the disciples were caught up in their stormy stressful situation, Jesus asked them, Why are you so fearful? How is it that you have no faith? (Mark 4:40)
It was in the evening and they were tired after having spent the day with Jesus as He was preaching. They got into a boat and a great windstorm arose.
The wind howled at them. The waves beat their boat and the waters rushed in to displace them.
They were stressed. “Why the sudden storm?” and “Why is Jesus still sleeping on the stern?” they may have wondered. They rushed to him and asked, “Jesus, do you not care that we are about to drown?” (Mark 4:38)
He awoke, stilled the storm with three simple words and answered their one question with two of His own. “Why are you so fearful? How is it that you have no faith?” (Mark 4:40)
He asked them these questions because if they had faith that He was able to calm their stormy stressful situation, they would not have been afraid of it no matter how high the waves were rising, how strong the wind was blowing or how fast their boat was filling with water.
Therefore, are you fearful today because your enemies have risen up against you with the vehemence of a windstorm?
Or are you fearful because troubles from every direction are bombarding every facet of your life with the force of a gale wind?
Or are you fearful today because it looks that you are about to drown in the sea of life from the weight of the problems rapidly piling into your life boat?
If you can relate to these situations, understand that if Jesus is in your life boat with you, you can fight your fear by having faith and confidence in His ability to still your storm because faith is the antidote of fear.
If your faith begins to fail as your stressful situation changes from dire to devastatingly dangerous, pray “Lord Jesus, I believe, help my unbelief.” (Mark 9:24)
Then wait fearlessly for Him to resolve your stressful situation as you meditate on Hebrews 13: 6 and declare that the Lord is your helper and therefore you will not fear.
Other Bible verses about fear that you can meditate on and confess to overcome fear include:
Even though I walk through the valley of death, I shall not fear because you are with me. (Psalm 23:4)
God has not given me a spirit of fear. (Adapted 2 Timothy 1:7)
I will not fear or dread them because it is the Lord my God who goes with me. He will not leave me or forsake me. (Adapted Deuteronomy 31:6)
I shall not be afraid of the terror that comes at night, nor of the arrow that flies by day, nor of the pestilence that walks in darkness, nor of the destruction that lays waste at noonday. A thousand may fall at my side and ten thousand at my right hand but it shall not come near me. (Adapted Psalm 91:5-7)
Do not be afraid because I am with you. Do not be dismayed because I am your God. I will strengthen you. I will help you.I will uphold you with My right hand. (Isaiah 41:10)
Adapted from Managing Stress with the Word of God by Dr. Miriam Kinai © 2006 For more info click here.
Christian Stress Management
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