But soon a fierce storm came up. High waves were breaking into the boat, and it began to fill with water. 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?” Mark 4:37-38 NLT
One doorway to fear is the thought that you are enduring a problem alone and there is no one coming to help. The old western movies would lead to the final conflict. The cowboy and his girl are fighting for their home surrounded by Indians. They fire their guns for a period of time and then look at each other. “We only have 3 bullets left.” Fear of death and the hopelessness that help is not coming takes several moments of the movie to let everyone feel the impact. No one cares about their problem…until they hear the Cavalry’s horn.
Taking every thought captive in the middle of a storm is easier said than done. The feeling of abandonment and the thoughts that accompany that feeling are real. Even now, I can hear some responding that they feel as if Jeuss is present within their lives, but He is sleeping on the job. “If He truly cares about me, He would wake up and fix the problem, like He did for the disciples.”
Taking every thought captive will incorporate an understanding of God’s timing. Who He is, transcends our present problem in both time and purpose. He is God, who exists before, during and after your present crisis. He has already been orchestrating the events in your life. He doesn’t have to start a new plan because of the “new” problem that you are facing. He will be present to guide you through the situation and be there with you after the crisis passes.
Taking every thought captive will include leaning into God’s character. God is good, always. Some of our fears of feeling alone and that He doesn’t care lead us to greater faith and dependency. King David recorded that he was young and now old, yet he had never seen the righteous forsaken or children begging for bread. In reality, he learned this trust while running for his life from King Saul and hiding in caves. At the moment when you are whispering in a dark cave and listening to see if you have been discovered does not feel as if God cares. After the event, you can see how God was guiding the events.
Write down or pray the thought aloud the reasoning that you feel as to your thinking of why God doesn’t care. Then allow the word of God to help you speak truth to your circumstance. Write the promise over your fear. Speak aloud the truth of God’s word so that your mind begins to believe what you are saying. He has promised to never leave you nor forsake you.
God knows and God cares, even when the outcome doesn’t turn out with the wind and the waves becoming calm. He is God of your today and tomorrow. He will be with you. So, fear not! Fear gives way to the truths of God’s purpose and character.
Blessings on this Fear not Friday.