Jesus said these words, “Why are you afraid? Have you still no faith?” to the disciples after he rebuked the wind during a violent windstorm flooding their boat while at sea.

The disciples were in fear for their lives.

Choosing Fear or Faith During Life’s Storms

This windstorm came to life on Monday evening. Living in St. Louis, we are in what is called Tornado Alley. It is not uncommon to have violent storms and hear the tornado sirens sound.

Robert and I watched the news and the weather report which said we were under a weather warning. That meant severe weather was in the area… NOW.

We didn’t think much of it. The night before there were some gentle storms with the type of low thunder that makes for great sleeping.

But then the wind came out of nowhere. We have some HUGE trees that surround the back of our house. They were all being tossed back and forth like a child’s punching doll.

Then the sideways rain started. Then the power went out.

While we watched all of it happening on the outside from the dry and safe place of our home, it was still frightening!

This was happening on land. I could not imagine being on the sea, in a boat, with the waves and the wind and the storm raging all around me. I would be in fear for my life too!

Jesus is asleep during this storm. The disciples have to wake him up. He rebukes the wind and says to the sea, “Peace! Be still!”

In a video on the Meaning of Be Still and Know that I am God, I explain that this meaning of be still from the Greek means to hush, or in modern day terms, shut up!

The wind and waves were silenced to a “dead calm.” That’s when Jesus asks the question: “Why are you afraid? Have you still no faith?”

Choose the Bright Side of Fear

The words and its message – fear not – are sighted hundreds of times in the Bible.

Now, don’t mistake fear as all bad. Our fear instincts were designed to keep us safe. We need those fear instincts. But when those instincts kick in when we truly are not in danger, we can become fearful, anxious, and stuck.

If God is tapping you on the shoulder to move out of your comfort zone into something greater, and you are afraid, know that this is an opportunity to grow. It will feel scary!

When You Choose Faith You Choose to Take Action

When you take action by stepping out past your fear, you are stepping out in faith. Faith is a noun and a verb. You have faith and you act on faith. When you step out in faith, you’ll find courage at the other side of fear.

Always remember the words from Paul in 2 Timothy 1:7 says, “God has not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.”

So, choose faith and not fear.

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