Notice how the disciples reacted to the storm on the Sea of Galilee, and see if you recognize any of the same traits in yourself: (1) Fear makes us doubt God's care. The disciples asked Jesus, ". . Master, carest thou not that we perish?" (v. 38). They didn't ask about His strength: "Can you still the storm?" Or His knowledge: "Are you aware of the storm?" Or His know-how: "Do you have any experience with storms?" Instead they voiced doubts about His character: "Do you not care?" If you let it, fear will erode your confidence in God's love and make you forget His faithfulness. (2) Fear makes us reach for control. Jesus was asleep, so the disciples woke Him and said, "Do something, quick!" Fear comes from a perceived loss of control. When we're afraid, we grab for a component of life that we can manage—like our diet, or our job, or the neatness of our house, or in many cases—people. The more insecure we feel, the more controlling we tend to become. (3) Fear makes us forgetful The Bible says, ". . . he cast out the spirits with his word, and healed all that were sick:" (Matthew 8:16). What a resume! But fear gives us spiritual amnesia; it makes us forget what Jesus has already done and how good He has been to us. And what was Jesus' response? "Why are you so fearful? How is it that you have no faith?" Faith doesn't eliminate fear; it silences it, robs it of its power, and draws us closer to God. And when that happens things begin to change for the better.
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