"And immediately Jesus stretched out His hand and caught him, and said to him, “O you of little faith, why did you doubt?”
- Matthew 14:31
~~~
Reflection:
What can fear do to a person? Fear is accompanied by obedience (Romans 6:16), submission (James 4:7), and reverence (1Peter 2:17).
But there are two kinds of fear. One is a wrong fear and the other was the right fear. Wrong fear tends to happen when emotions get the best out of us and we take the wrong turn. We experienced tragedy because we let this fear control us.
When Jesus went after the disciples who were in a boat, and they saw Him walking on the water, the disciples shouted in fear because they thought that Jesus was a ghost (Matthew 14:26). But then Jesus comforted them with His words saying, "It is I, do not be afraid" (Matthew 14:27).
The Apostle Peter wanted proof that it was indeed Jesus by telling His Master to let him walk also on the water. Peter was able to walk also on the water for a short time only because when he saw the wind and the waves, he became so afraid. He began to sink, and cried to the Lord to save him. And Jesus asked him why he doubted. (Matthew 14:28-31)
All throughout this exchange we saw fear from the disciples themselves. The reality of fear is there, and the reality of why we fear is something we need to face. Jesus told Peter this:
"O you of little faith, why did you doubt?" (verse 31)
Jesus knew how great or small our faith in Him was. Fear can make your faith grow small if you allow it to control you. Fear can make you doubt not only yourself, but also God. Doubting God can lead to unbelief.
Never allow this wrong kind of fear to be greater than your faith in Jesus because this can make you doubt Him and what He can do for you, and worst, it can lead you to wrong decisions in life.
Rather, fear the right subject. Fear God. Fearing God means giving Him the reverence He deserved, the respect He deserved. Fear God through obedience and submission to His will. Fear God as your Creator, the Almighty, the King of all kings, the Lord of all lords!
Fear is just like us. We can't live without God because we need God but God can still live without us. It's the same. Fear can't live without us because it feeds on us. It needs us. But God can live for eternity without fear.
It is just a matter of whom you fear and how you deal with it. To whom will you give your obedience, your submission, and your reverence?
~~~
Prayer:
Heavenly Father, strengthen my faith. Lead me to submit to You and obey You. Help me fear You and respect You – not just as my Savior and Lord but as my Creator, my King of all kings. In Jesus Christ's Name, Amen.
YOU ARE READING
Hope in the Night (A 30-Day Reflection on Anxiety and Fear)
Spiritual(Complete) || Each one of us felt hopeless at one point in our lives. Every Christian, even the characters in the Bible who had deep relationship with God, felt anxious and fearful of those mysterious events to be unfolded sooner or later. Past, pre...
