Faith not Fear

 

But Jesus replied, "Why are you so afraid? You surely don't have much faith." Then he got up and ordered the wind and the waves to calm down. And everything was calm.
Matthew 8:26 CEV

This verse in Matthew's Gospel, seems simple, but has a deep meaning. The verse shows a dramatic picture of Jesus making a stormy sea calm, but it also explores the complex connection between faith, fear, and the power of stillness.

The verse happens in a stormy situation, both in reality and metaphorically. The disciples, trapped in a violent storm, struggle with fear and doubt. Their shaky faith reflects the rough waves, showing the weakness of human bravery when facing difficulties.

Jesus' question, "Why are you so afraid? You surely don't have much faith," is not a harsh criticism, but a gentle push towards awareness. It asks the disciples to recognize their fear, not as a personal flaw, but as a natural human reaction to the unexpected. By recognizing their fear, they open themselves to the chance of a deeper faith, one that goes beyond the boundaries of human control.

Then comes the change. Jesus "got up and ordered the wind and the waves to calm down." This is not just a display of supernatural power; it's a symbolic act, showing the nature of true faith. By making the storm stop, Jesus shows our ability to deal with inner chaos with a calm mind and a peaceful heart. The calming of the outside storm shows the possibility of stillness within – a state where faith grows, undisturbed by the winds of fear and doubt.

The last line, "And everything was calm," has a deep beauty. It's not just the physical storm that ends; it's the disciples' fear that finds comfort in the stillness Jesus shows. It's a reminder that in the middle of the mess of life, true faith gives a place of peace, a space where worries quiet and hope appears.

This passage goes beyond the specific situation of the storm. It talks about the internal storms we all face: the worries, uncertainties, and moments of doubt that are part of the fabric of our lives. It reminds us that faith is not about the lack of fear; it's about learning to handle those flows with a stable spirit, trusting in a force bigger than ourselves.

To sum up, Matthew 8:26 is a powerful reminder that in the middle of the outside storms, we have the power to create inner stillness. By accepting our fears, using the changing power of faith, and looking for the place of a peaceful heart, we can survive any storm, knowing that even in the darkest night, the light of calmness waits.

Prayer:

We come before you, hearts shaken by storms of worry and doubt. The waves of fear hit us, and the winds of uncertainty scream in our ears. We admit, Lord, that our faith glows like a candle in a storm, quivering in the face of the unknown.

Forgive us, Jesus, for giving in to fear. Forgive us for losing sight of the power of your presence, the stillness that lives within your look. Remind us that your voice, once able to make storms silent, can also calm the worries that burn within our souls.

Help us, Lord, to hear your voice among the chaos, to notice the murmurs of faith among the shouts of fear. Give us the bravery to accept our shaking, not as weakness, but as a call to seek your power.

Teach us, O Master, to stand with you, not in opposition to the storm, but in the quiet trust of your presence. May we learn to make the winds of worry stop, to make the waves of doubt back down, and find comfort in the place of your peace.

Let your stillness flow into the gaps of our fear, filling them with your steady love. May we face the storms of life not with tight fists, but with open hearts, trusting in the wisdom that even in the wildest oceans, your calm is there.

For in the hold of your serenity, we find not only shelter, but the strength to rise above the trouble, to become beacons of hope for others fighting their own internal storms.

And in that quiet spot, with hearts calm and spirits relaxed, we whisper Amen.

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