Heart in Bloom

“No Matter How Bad Things Get, Jesus Says ‘Don’t Be Afraid.’

There is only one time in the entire gospel where it is recorded that Christ’s disciples worshipped and praised Him as a group. That time was when they went out on a boat and a big storm came up. They were certain that their boat would have sunk and they would have drowned in the sea without the intervention of Jesus. Matthew describes that time with these words: ‘His followers went to Him and woke Him saying, ‘Lord save us! We will drown!’ Jesus Answered ‘Why are you afraid?’ (Matthew 8:25-26)

Knowing that He was there didn’t keep them from being afraid that they were going to die. They didn’t have anything to be frightened of, with Jesus on the boat, that’s why the Savior asked them why they were afraid. After He calmed the storm, that’s when the group worshipped Him saying, ‘Truly you are the Son of God.’ (Matthew 14:33)

His disciples had seen Him do great miracles before. Yet, there is no mention that any of those miracles caused them to praise and worship Jesus together. But only after this terrifying event on the Sea of Galilee, did they worship Christ as their Lord and Savior. The reason was clear this time, they were the ones who were saved, not someone else. His disciples knew what it felt like to look directly into the eyes of death, to know that they were helpless to do anything, to save themselves.

How many times have you and I experienced times when we were able to save ourselves or family members from some kind of danger? Sometimes people get into situations where their lives could be in danger and their only hope is that God intervenes to save them. That situation could be a life threatening disease or some other health problem where even doctors are helpless. This is where our faith becomes very important and we hear the voice of Jesus saying, ‘Why are you afraid?’

Jesus says He will be with us in times of trouble and danger in life and in death. After His resurrection, Jesus came to His disciples. He said to them, ‘Don’t be afraid.’ The fear of the Lord is an awareness that there is someone much bigger and more powerful, it’s a fear that places God at the center of all things and keeps Him there.

This fear is who keeps us in our place – a place of awe and reverent submission as we love and worship God. Jesus comes to us when we’re sick, at home or in the hospital. He comes to us when we have a family tragedy, in any kind of crisis, when we feel lonely or depressed. And His words are always the same. ‘Don’t be afraid.’ ‘I’m alive and I’m here to help you.’ ‘Nothing can separate me from you.’ Jesus tells us over and over again. Then we can boldly proclaim with the Apostle Paul: Absolutely nothing can get between us and God’s love because of the way that Jesus our master has embraced us” (Romans 8:35).

‘Be strong and courageous Do Not Be Afraid or terrified because of them, for the Lord your God goes with you He will never leave you or forsake you. (Deuteronomy 31:6)’”