Thursday, August 4, 2016

Dealing With Three Mortal Fears

UV 2030/10000 Dealing with Three Mortal Fears
And he saith unto them, Why are ye fearful, O ye of little faith? Then he arose, and rebuked the winds and the sea; and there was a great calm.
Matthew 8 v 26
The boat in which Jesus was sleeping was being rocked badly and the disciples were fearful that the boat would sink, that they would drown and die. Jesus was awakened and He first rebuked them for their lack of faith before rebuking the winds and waves. Jesus just spoke three words, “ Peace, be still” and the winds and waves were calmed. The disciples could not comprehend where He got such great power and authority. They could not understand how three short and simple words could produce such an awesome result. This incident reported in three gospels give us an insight that faith is the opposite of fear, that fear results from a lack of faith or from weak faith. Again when Peter cried out to Jesus for help as he started walking on water but began to fear, Jesus rebuked him for his lack of faith. Leaders are called to walk on uncharted waters and take great risks. Mankind is most plagued by the fear of death, a sudden ending of all that we know and care for. Faith in the authority of Jesus to awaken us from death is the antidote to the fear of death. He enables us to eat from the tree of permitted fruit- the fruit of eternal life. Jesus gives us not only eternal salvation but also internal salvation- from our mortal fears as we face a variety of circumstances and situations in life on earth.
On another occasion, Jesus rebuked the disciples for their lack of faith for thinking that there was not enough money or food to feed the hungry multitude. Jesus had satisfied their spiritual hunger and thirst with His words of eternal life but He also wanted to satisfy their physical hunger. The second greatest fear of mankind is the fear of scarcity. Faith again is the antidote: faith that Jesus is the source of all abundance for He said, “ I came that you may have life and life in all its abundance.”
On yet another occasion, Jesus rebuked his disciples when they returned unable to heal a person or deliver him from possession. The third greatest fear is the fear of failure, the fear of being unable to do that which one has set out to do. The antidote again is faith that “ I am able to do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” He equips us, He enables us, He empowers us to do that which we have purposed in our hearts to do. Fears and doubts keep rising in our hearts and minds like mountains but we need to remove these mountains and cast them into the sea by commanding them in the name or authority of Jesus. The fear of death affects a soldier. The fear of scarcity affects the farmer. The fear of failure affects the athlete. The secret is not to live in denial of these fears but to acknowledge them as we are mortal creatures and then seek the help of Jesus to overcome these fears. We need to constantly rebuke these three types of fears and keep expanding our faith. As the fear strikes or enters our thoughts and heart, we should affirm according to which fear it is: If it is threat or fear of danger or death, “ My Lord is my shepherd and protector.” If it is fear of scarcity, “ My Lord is my Provider.” If it is fear of failure, “ Nothing is impossible for my Lord.” When we deal with these three types of insecurities in this manner, we are greatly strengthened and able to do great things for the glory of God. We need to command with the authority that Jesus gave us who believe such that even the restless, stormy brain waves of fear, worry, anxiety obey the command, “ Peace, be still.” Great calmness, comprehensive but incomprehensible peace shall fill our lives.
Prateep V Philip

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