Not Afraid in the Face of Crisis 

From Not Afraid by Pastor Craig Groeschel on Youversion

We’ve talked about a few ways that we, as followers of Christ, can respond to crisis and emergency situations. We don’t live in fear; we live by faith. We live sacrificially, not selfishly. And we shine the light; we don’t hide it. 

But there’s another story from the life of Jesus that is helpful to us in the face of life’s storms. 

Once, Jesus and His disciples were in a boat in the middle of a pretty epic thunderstorm. Jesus was asleep in the back of the boat. And the disciples were freaking out, convinced they were about to drown. Here’s how it went down: 

Jesus was sleeping at the back of the boat with his head on a cushion. The disciples woke him up, shouting, “Teacher, don’t you care that we’re going to drown?” When Jesus woke up, he rebuked the wind and said to the waves, “Silence! Be still!” Suddenly the wind stopped, and there was a great calm. Then he asked them, “Why are you afraid? Do you still have no faith?” The disciples were absolutely terrified. “Who is this man?” they asked each other. “Even the wind and waves obey him!” 

Mark 4:38-41 NLT

The disciples freaked out in the middle of the unknown, forgetting that Jesus was literally right there with them. How often do we do the same thing? 

We freak out because we’re terrified the worst-case scenario is going to happen, all the while forgetting that Jesus is just as present with us now as He was with the disciples then. 

But we have this treasure in jars of clay, to show that the surpassing power belongs to God and not to us. We are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not driven to despair; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed;

‭2 Corinthians 4:7-9 ESV‬

So, back to the story. Jesus calmed the storm, but it wasn’t really about the storm. The disciples discovered that Jesus was more powerful than anything life threw at them, and that knowledge alone can give us the faith to fight back fear today.  

Because here’s the thing: Jesus may not always calm the storm around you, but He promises to always be with you. 

Keep your life free from love of money, and be content with what you have, for he has said, “I will never leave you nor forsake you.” [6] So we can confidently say, “The Lord is my helper; I will not fear; what can man do to me?”

‭Hebrews 13:5-6 ESV‬

So in response to emergencies, natural disasters, pandemics, and anything else life throws our way, we can worship the One who isn’t surprised by what happens to us but walks with us through it. 

Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time he may exalt you, casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you.

‭1 Peter 5:6-7 ESV‬

Pray: God, I come to You a little anxious about _____. But I know that You are right here with me, just like You were with the disciples in the middle of their storm. I ask You to meet me here in my storm today, God. Show me how to fight back fear with faith. Help me shine a light in the face of darkness, and help me overcome any unbelief. Thank You for who You are and for promising to always be with me. In Jesus’ name, amen.