Walk forward in Faith, not Fear
Along the sweeping shores of Ancient-Kinneret, Jesus set out with his disciples to cross the Sea of Galilee. Exceedingly vulnerable in what was likely a rickety craft, disaster loomed as a storm struck so powerful that the boat began to overflow with water.
As one would imagine likely when aboard a sinking ship, the disciples cried out and ran to Jesus- who was asleep inside the boat- and woke him crying “Teacher, do You not care that we are perishing?” (Mark 4:38, NIV)
Jesus, when called upon by those he loved for rescue, rose and commanded the very seas themselves to be still. The storm obeyed.
The message here is that Jesus, when called upon by those he loves for aid in the direst of storms, answers. No matter how looming the inevitable doom may seem: no matter how narrow the odds; Jesus will always come through.
And make no mistake. Jesus loves YOU.
After silencing the storm Jesus asks of his disciples “Why are you so fearful? How is it that you have no faith?” (Mark 4:40, NIV).
Yes… why are you so fearful? Jesus asks, after saving his disciples lives.
A fair enough question some might say, given the circumstances.
But the question Jesus asks of his disciples, some say, penetrates deeper: where is it that fear comes from?
Is faith the antidote to this fear?
Can we stride forward into the most perilous of arenas without fear, in faith, that Jesus will save us?
Can you? Can I?
By consequence of simply living a human life disaster constantly looms around the corners and monsters lay waiting in the dark. Even the calmest waters can become in an instant the most violent of storms.
It is in this life that Jesus asks us why, with him in our corner, do we fear? It’s a profound question which I encourage any Christian to ask of themselves, like I am right now.
Whilst thankfully it is unlikely the majority of us will be on a sinking ship today, storms are to be found all around us as we navigate the tricky, turbulent and unpredictable sea of human life. Jesus calls on us to remain calm in the face of danger, in faith.
I cannot claim to have remained calm when my life was rocked by a sudden storm last year. It was this trauma that led me to Jesus, it was he who saved me.
I was seriously injured at work and left with a terrible injury that crippled me just as the pandemic hit here in the UK. The injury could have spelled the end of my career as the Doctor suspected I had suffered nerve damage due to the injury not healing how it should. Thankfully, he was wrong.
I was then falsely accused of a crime that I did not commit.
The Police were involved.
It was an extremely dark and scary place to be.
I of course maintained my innocence from the moment the ordeal began.
But my ship was sinking. The water was at my chest. I was suffering silently and terribly. I turned to God and I prayed. I prayed for the first time in a very long time.
There was no nobility in it, it was a desperate cry for help.
When I reflect back now at the course of events which occurred, I am blown away by just how loudly my prayers were answered.
Shortly after I began to pray in the name of Jesus Christ, the first miracle in my life occurred. Words of guidance were brought into my life which saved my relationship and began to pull me out from the dark.
“The people you love, deserve the best version of you”
I wrote all about it at the time, which you can read here.
I recall my prayers. I prayed the same words every day:
“I pray only for the truth to come out, nothing more, just… the truth”
Then finally, suddenly like a flash, it happened. The person this all concerned at last admitted that the accusation was completely untrue. It was clear to all that they had made this up, God only knows why. I was exonerated spectacularly, my prayers had been answered and finally I was free.
When my own ship was sinking, Jesus answered my prayers.
I suspect that many people find God similarly to how I have: in their lowest moments with nowhere else to turn, they turn to Jesus out of desperation, the “last chance saloon”, and they are amazed when Jesus responds.
But once the storm is over, what happens next?
Don’t leave Jesus ‘on read’
I was in a daze, the fight for my life was over and through Jesus Christ I had won. Months of torture and just like that, it was over. If you take at least one thing away from my suffering and story, take this: through Christ, all things are possible.
As the shock of the whole thing receded I began to process the earth shattering event that lead to my vindication.
I had reached out to Jesus, who I had mostly ignored before, and he worked nothing short of a miracle in my life. He saved my life.
My entire world-view was turned upside down, my understanding of the universe altered permanently. Where before my understanding of reality was simply what I could see in front of me and touch with my own two hands: now I was in no doubt that the space we occupy is bigger and wider than I could ever have possibly imagined.
Jesus is real, it’s all real. It was a lot to take in.
Now that the storm had broken and my life was beginning to return to some semblance of normality I began to read more and more about this “Jesus” who had come to my rescue when I needed him most and who he was, who he is. I opened a bible and just… started at the beginning.
I learned that being a Christian is about trying to be “like Christ”. Humble, forgiving, loving and fair. A tall order for sure.
But I also learned that being a “Christian” is about having a relationship with Christ. Jesus had answered my prayers and brought peace into my world, now what was I going to do?
Having received his reply to my calls, leave him “on read” like someone you ignore on WhatsApp?
No, that didn’t seem right to me.
Having been rescued by Jesus and finding myself once more stood on the solid shore, I decided that I didn’t want this to be where the story came to an end. I wanted to keep up with Jesus and keep him in my life.
Just like relationships between each other take work on both sides, so too I imagine a relationship with Jesus does.
In my line of work I dip in and out of the tragedies and worst moments of people’s lives. This has given me a real perspective of how lucky I am to have been given by the Lord the things many of us take for granted: a secure income, home, family, friends, my health. My wonderful partner. These are the things money can’t buy, these are the things that happiness is made of.
When I encounter tragedy in the lives of those around me, I remember that…
There but, for the Grace of God, am I.
A Relationship With Christ
I am not a learned-enough-scholar to write with any authority about what a relationship with Christ definitely is. But perhaps there is no definitive answer to that question? Maybe this is something personal to the individual?
Having a relationship with Jesus to me has become about finding meaning in the world around me, recognising the things in my life that God has brought to me and being grateful for them.
Recognising that I am on a journey, a path, and having faith that the Lord will show me the path he wishes for me to take. Walking that path, in faith, no matter how dark and scary it may once more, one day, be.
Continuing in prayer and education. The last time I went to Church was so long ago I may as well have never been, I am about to start going once more.
It is important I think, to continue to thank and praise the Lord, to continue that relationship, after the storm has passed.
In Faith, Not Fear
As a child if I were to have been asked “what are you afraid of?” I would have said something like ‘going blind’. Scary for sure, but unlikely in the grand scheme of things.
Most children have no understanding of the every-day terrors and disasters that can upturn a person’s life, that can ruin and destroy. When they do, that is tragic indeed.
Part of adolescence is developing an understanding that that the monster hiding under the bed is a metaphor for the all-too-real monsters that can crawl out from the dark and tear an adult’s life apart.
Disease, scandal, redundancy and so on… being falsely accused of a crime you did not commit.
This newly discovered fear motivates young adults to do all they can to keep those monsters at bay: becoming educated and qualified, striking out into the world and forming relationships, behaving with propriety. Constantly pushing and striving for “the next thing” to keep growing from strength to strength. All of these things are noble and valuable pursuits of course.
But when indeed such a monster crawled out from the dark and struck my life I, like the disciples on the sinking ship in the sea of Galilee, cried out to Jesus in desperation. I was very afraid. I had no where else to turn.
Jesus answered my prayers and silenced the storm in my life. Jesus saved me.
When I read of Jesus after silencing the storm aboard the boat turning to his fearful disciples and saying “Why are you so fearful? How is it that you have no faith?” I really feel able to connect with this on a personal level.
For I too was fearful and afraid, with my life as I knew it flashing before my eyes, when Jesus intervened and saved me.
It is because of this experience I had I now know that through prayer I will always find myself on the path that the Lord intends for me. I now know that no matter how dark and scary it may get, no matter how violent the storms around me, Jesus will not forsake me.
Whilst I cannot claim to be perfect in this pursuit, I now try to face the darkness with Faith, not Fear.
Along the sweeping shores of Ancient-Kinneret, Jesus set out with his disciples to cross the Sea of Galilee. Exceedingly vulnerable in what was likely a rickety craft, disaster loomed as a storm struck so powerful that the boat began to overflow with water.
As one would imagine likely when aboard a sinking ship, the disciples cried out and ran to Jesus- who was asleep inside the boat- and woke him crying “Teacher, do You not care that we are perishing?” (Mark 4:38, NIV)
Jesus, when called upon by those he loved for rescue, rose and commanded the very seas themselves to be still. The storm obeyed.
The message here is that Jesus, when called upon by those he loves for aid in the direst of storms, answers. No matter how looming the inevitable doom may seem: no matter how narrow the odds; Jesus will always come through.
And make no mistake. Jesus loves YOU.
After silencing the storm Jesus asks of his disciples “Why are you so fearful? How is it that you have no faith?” (Mark 4:40, NIV).
Yes… why are you so fearful? Jesus asks, after saving his disciples lives.
A fair enough question some might say, given the circumstances.
But the question Jesus asks of his disciples, some say, penetrates deeper: where is it that fear comes from?
Is faith the antidote to this fear?
Can we stride forward into the most perilous of arenas without fear, in faith, that Jesus will save us?
Can you? Can I?
By consequence of simply living a human life disaster constantly looms around the corners and monsters lay waiting in the dark. Even the calmest waters can become in an instant the most violent of storms.
It is in this life that Jesus asks us why, with him in our corner, do we fear? It’s a profound question which I encourage any Christian to ask of themselves, like I am right now.
Whilst thankfully it is unlikely the majority of us will be on a sinking ship today, storms are to be found all around us as we navigate the tricky, turbulent and unpredictable sea of human life. Jesus calls on us to remain calm in the face of danger, in faith.
I cannot claim to have remained calm when my life was rocked by a sudden storm last year. It was this trauma that led me to Jesus, it was he who saved me.
I was seriously injured at work and left with a terrible injury that crippled me just as the pandemic hit here in the UK. The injury could have spelled the end of my career as the Doctor suspected I had suffered nerve damage due to the injury not healing how it should. Thankfully, he was wrong.
I was then falsely accused of a crime that I did not commit.
The Police were involved.
It was an extremely dark and scary place to be.
I of course maintained my innocence from the moment the ordeal began.
But my ship was sinking. The water was at my chest. I was suffering silently and terribly. I turned to God and I prayed. I prayed for the first time in a very long time.
There was no nobility in it, it was a desperate cry for help.
When I reflect back now at the course of events which occurred, I am blown away by just how loudly my prayers were answered.
Shortly after I began to pray in the name of Jesus Christ, the first miracle in my life occurred. Words of guidance were brought into my life which saved my relationship and began to pull me out from the dark.
“The people you love, deserve the best version of you”
I wrote all about it at the time, which you can read here.
I recall my prayers. I prayed the same words every day:
“I pray only for the truth to come out, nothing more, just… the truth”
Then finally, suddenly like a flash, it happened. The person this all concerned at last admitted that the accusation was completely untrue. It was clear to all that they had made this up, God only knows why. I was exonerated spectacularly, my prayers had been answered and finally I was free.
When my own ship was sinking, Jesus answered my prayers.
I suspect that many people find God similarly to how I have: in their lowest moments with nowhere else to turn, they turn to Jesus out of desperation, the “last chance saloon”, and they are amazed when Jesus responds.
But once the storm is over, what happens next?
Don’t leave Jesus ‘on read’
I was in a daze, the fight for my life was over and through Jesus Christ I had won. Months of torture and just like that, it was over. If you take at least one thing away from my suffering and story, take this: through Christ, all things are possible.
As the shock of the whole thing receded I began to process the earth shattering event that lead to my vindication.
I had reached out to Jesus, who I had mostly ignored before, and he worked nothing short of a miracle in my life. He saved my life.
My entire world-view was turned upside down, my understanding of the universe altered permanently. Where before my understanding of reality was simply what I could see in front of me and touch with my own two hands: now I was in no doubt that the space we occupy is bigger and wider than I could ever have possibly imagined.
Jesus is real, it’s all real. It was a lot to take in.
Now that the storm had broken and my life was beginning to return to some semblance of normality I began to read more and more about this “Jesus” who had come to my rescue when I needed him most and who he was, who he is. I opened a bible and just… started at the beginning.
I learned that being a Christian is about trying to be “like Christ”. Humble, forgiving, loving and fair. A tall order for sure.
But I also learned that being a “Christian” is about having a relationship with Christ. Jesus had answered my prayers and brought peace into my world, now what was I going to do?
Having received his reply to my calls, leave him “on read” like someone you ignore on WhatsApp?
No, that didn’t seem right to me.
Having been rescued by Jesus and finding myself once more stood on the solid shore, I decided that I didn’t want this to be where the story came to an end. I wanted to keep up with Jesus and keep him in my life.
Just like relationships between each other take work on both sides, so too I imagine a relationship with Jesus does.
In my line of work I dip in and out of the tragedies and worst moments of people’s lives. This has given me a real perspective of how lucky I am to have been given by the Lord the things many of us take for granted: a secure income, home, family, friends, my health. My wonderful partner. These are the things money can’t buy, these are the things that happiness is made of.
When I encounter tragedy in the lives of those around me, I remember that…
There but, for the Grace of God, am I.
A Relationship With Christ
I am not a learned-enough-scholar to write with any authority about what a relationship with Christ definitely is. But perhaps there is no definitive answer to that question? Maybe this is something personal to the individual?
Having a relationship with Jesus to me has become about finding meaning in the world around me, recognising the things in my life that God has brought to me and being grateful for them.
Recognising that I am on a journey, a path, and having faith that the Lord will show me the path he wishes for me to take. Walking that path, in faith, no matter how dark and scary it may once more, one day, be.
Continuing in prayer and education. The last time I went to Church was so long ago I may as well have never been, I am about to start going once more.
It is important I think, to continue to thank and praise the Lord, to continue that relationship, after the storm has passed.
In Faith, Not Fear
As a child if I were to have been asked “what are you afraid of?” I would have said something like ‘going blind’. Scary for sure, but unlikely in the grand scheme of things.
Most children have no understanding of the every-day terrors and disasters that can upturn a person’s life, that can ruin and destroy. When they do, that is tragic indeed.
Part of adolescence is developing an understanding that that the monster hiding under the bed is a metaphor for the all-too-real monsters that can crawl out from the dark and tear an adult’s life apart.
Disease, scandal, redundancy and so on… being falsely accused of a crime you did not commit.
This newly discovered fear motivates young adults to do all they can to keep those monsters at bay: becoming educated and qualified, striking out into the world and forming relationships, behaving with propriety. Constantly pushing and striving for “the next thing” to keep growing from strength to strength. All of these things are noble and valuable pursuits of course.
But when indeed such a monster crawled out from the dark and struck my life I, like the disciples on the sinking ship in the sea of Galilee, cried out to Jesus in desperation. I was very afraid. I had no where else to turn.
Jesus answered my prayers and silenced the storm in my life. Jesus saved me.
When I read of Jesus after silencing the storm aboard the boat turning to his fearful disciples and saying “Why are you so fearful? How is it that you have no faith?” I really feel able to connect with this on a personal level.
For I too was fearful and afraid, with my life as I knew it flashing before my eyes, when Jesus intervened and saved me.
It is because of this experience I had I now know that through prayer I will always find myself on the path that the Lord intends for me. I now know that no matter how dark and scary it may get, no matter how violent the storms around me, Jesus will not forsake me.
Whilst I cannot claim to be perfect in this pursuit, I now try to face the darkness with Faith, not Fear.
Painting a Thousand Words 