Frightful Fear - HEAVENLY HELP!

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This blog is for all of us who may be fearful about the present and the future, likely because of what we’ve experienced in the past. Especially when we’ve lost someone we love, the fear of it happening again is overwhelming. We now know how much it hurts and we just don’t want to feel such hurt again.

Let’s dive together into John 6:16-21. Jesus’ Disciples have just seen Him provide enough food for a very hungry group of people, 5000+ people, from a mere five loaves of bread and two fish. Not only was the hunger of all those people satisfied, but, the Disciples picked up 12 baskets full of leftovers! Then, the disciples got into a boat and set sail for Capernaum. Jesus had already left to go to a mountain to pray.

The Scripture passage lists three things that happened to the Disciples after they had JUST experienced such a miraculous event. These three things caused them to forget the amazing feat they had just witnessed and descend into very great fear:

  • It grew dark. Darkness is an absence of light. Not being able to see, they experienced lack of direction and that led to anxiety and fear.

  • Their captain was not with them. There was no one to steer the ship. Without help from someone in the know, they easily became afraid.

  • A strong wind blew in and stirred up the seas on which they were sailing. This was, in their minds, an absolute recipe for disaster, and likely, their death. Of course, they were filled with fear. 

Perhaps this is how your grief makes you feel: NO LIGHT, NO CAPTAIN AND NO CALM! Perhaps you and the Disciples share similar feelings: “What can I do?” “I’m scared.” “I have no hope.” “Life is out of control.” “I am drowning in my circumstances.” These concerns, among others, can be a driving force to create FEAR inside of us – fear for now – fear for tomorrow!

Verse 19 tells us that, as the Disciples looked, they saw Jesus walking on the water toward them. It was still dark. He was walking against the same fearsome wind and on the same churning sea they thought would be their demise. And, He spoke to them. “It is I. Do not be afraid.” Turning from focusing on the dire circumstances, they focused on Jesus. Their fears calmed. Their Captain gave them confidence that He was in full control of the situation. They arrived safely on the other side!

When the storms of life hit our boat, we need to reach out to the One Who is in control of all things, including our loss. Verse 21 states “…they were willing to take Him into the boat.”

Be willing to remember God’s past Presence and provision in your life and trust Him to meet you in your current and future circumstances. Your Frightful Fear can then be turned around by Heavenly Help.