When the storms of life expose misplaced faith and fear arises, encouragement can be found when, with each passing storm, we marvel a bit more at the power and authority of Christ.

I love God’s word because it shows me the failures of God’s people. It does not give examples of those who had perfect faith (if there were there such a thing), or even whitewash the sins of those it highlights. Rather, it gives a very real picture of both the brokenness of man and the grace of God.

The phrase “do not fear” is the most repeated command in Scripture. It is an instruction given to God’s people many times over. Why then, if we are told not to fear, is this such a difficult command to obey? In part, it has to be that in many ways, fear lies to us in the midst of the storms of life. It deceives us into believing it has power it does not possess. Fear also exposes a misplaced focus on circumstances rather than on the promises of God.

As I consider fear in my own life, I am encouraged to realize that even Jesus’ disciples battled fear. It reminds me that the walk of faith is a process. The longer we practice faith, the more we grow; often as our own failings encounter the steadfast patience of God.

The Gospel according to Luke tells us, “One day, [Jesus] got into a boat with his disciples, and he said to them, ‘Let us go across to the other side of the lake.’ So they set out and as they sailed, he fell asleep. And a windstorm came down on the lake and they were filling with water and were in danger” (Luke 8:22-23).

They woke Jesus, ” Teacher, do you not care that we are perishing? And he awoke and rebuked the wind and said to the sea, ‘Peace, be still!’ And the wind ceased and there was a great calm” (Mark 4:38-39).

“He said to them, ‘Where is your faith?’ And they were afraid, and they marveled, saying to one another, ‘Who then is this, that he commands even winds and water, and they obey him?'” (Luke 8:25).

Considering this passage, there are three lies that fear whispers to us in the midst of the storm:

Lie #1: Jesus is indifferent to our suffering.

“Do you not care that we are perishing?” (v 38). I have asked this question of Go, in various forms, during storms in my life. Don’t you care, Jesus, that this is happening? If you cared, wouldn’t you calm the storm? Don’t you care that I am about to drown? Where is your concern? Where is your comfort? Where is your care?

By the time Jesus led the disciples into this storm, they had already seen him heal a man with an unclean spirit, preach of the coming kingdom, cleanse lepers, and heal a paralyzed man among other miracles (Mark 1-4). They had seen his power, his care, and his compassion. They had seen a glimpse of who he truly was, yet their immediate response in the midst of fear: “Don’t you care?”

I have seen the faithfulness of God throughout my life, yet I struggle with the same lie. I have experienced his goodness and kindness, yet when suffering arises it’s easy to assume Jesus is indifferent to my pain. As I battle this lie, it’s important to recognize Jesus both led his disciples into the storm, yet as he led them, he was with them. The storm was no accident. And his presence with them was intentional.

When fear arises, when anxieties ensue, it’s easy to question like the disciples, “Don’t you care?” The fact that Jesus is near and “a very present help in trouble” shows just the opposite—he cares deeply.  And because he cares, he leads us through the storm (Psalm 46:1).

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