Award Winning GENESIS SCHOOL OF MUSIC

➡️Matthew 8:23-27 is one of my favorite stories – it’s when Jesus and his disciples were in a boat heading to the other side of the lake when a furious storm arose. The Bible says that Jesus instructed his disciples that they were going to the other side of the lake, and it specifically says that the disciples followed Jesus. They were in God’s will. They were doing what they were supposed to be doing. However, it says suddenly a furious storm arose. In the original language, it says it wasn’t just a storm, but it was an earthquake. It says that the water was so high that it actually covered the boat, it hid the boat. The disciples were terrified, and yet Jesus, in the middle of the storm, was sound asleep. He already knew they were heading to the other side of the lake, that’s what he said. The disciples woke Jesus up, saying, “Lord don’t you care that we’re going to drown?”  It’s so interesting that in the middle of their fear, they questioned God himself, asking if he even cared. They were also scared for their lives, yet, again, God was in their boat. Matthew chapter 8 says that Jesus stood up and first spoke to the disciples, rebuking them, and then he spoke to the storm. And the storm immediately ceased. 

Crazy story, but in this story, we find four steps to help us live without fear.

1…Let Jesus rebuke you.  When Jesus spoke to the disciples, he wasn’t just correcting them, he was rebuking them. However, when Jesus rebukes us, he only does it out of a deep love for us. He only wants our best. He saw in them and he sees in us that fear is crippling. It is stopping us from becoming who we’re supposed to be.

2…Let Jesus forgive you.  We’ve got to remember that fear is not just an emotion, but it is a sin. The Bible says again and again do not fear. When the Bible tells us not to do something, and yet we decide to do it anyway, that’s called sin.  If fear has been an issue in your life, simply ask Jesus to forgive you, and cleanse you of that.

3…Let Jesus set you free.  2 Timothy 1:7 says, “God did not give us a spirit of fear”.  That word spirit in the original language can mean angel or demon, and we know that fear is not an angel. Just like Jesus taught us, we command every unclean spirit to leave in his name, and this includes the spirit of fear.

4…Let Jesus remind you who you are.  Jesus had already given his word to his disciples that they were going to the other side. In the same way, the Bible tells us who we are in Christ – and when we know that we will not be afraid. 

When I left for college, my mom put a little slip of paper in my Bible with the verse Joshua 1:9 written on it. It says, “Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid, and do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.”

I  leave that same verse with you. You are strong and courageous. You are one who knows God and who walks with God.  And according to Psalm 112:8, you are secure and fearless!

That’s in the Bible, and the Bible is always right!