Why be fearful ? (2)

"The disciples came and woke him up and said to him : Lord, save us ! we perish. He said to them : Why are you fearful, people of little faith ? Then he arose, and took again the winds and the sea, and he was very calm." Matthew 8. 25, 26

Jesus is in Capernaum where he "heals all those who do wrong". Seeing himself surrounded by a crowd of people, he orders his disciples to cross the shore of Lake Galilee, no doubt to find a quieter place to rest. During the crossing, a big storm rises. In the face of raging elements, violent winds, waves that threaten to turn the boat, how not to be afraid ? And for us, today, in a house in the midst of a violent storm or on the edge of a forest in flames ? Or when the inner storm shakes our thoughts ?

The Lord has allowed the wind to rise, to swirl, to lift waves that already fill the boat. But Jesus is so tired that even the movements of the boat do not wake him up. The sleep of the Lord in the storm should have reassured his disciples ! On the contrary, they are clueless. They wake him up : "Lord, save us ! we perish. The evangelist Mark relates their dread in this way : "Master, do not you care that we perish ?" (Mark 4: 38). They must recognize themselves at the end of their resources, so that Jesus can show them his power and stop the ordeal in a spectacular way : suddenly "he was very calm" (Mark 4:39).

No one has power over the natural elements except the Creator of the universe and everything in it. Likewise, no one, like the Lord Jesus, is able to calm the storms of life. Abandon him what is out of our reach and our abilities ! In the worst of difficulties, we can always count on his presence, his power and his goodness.

Let's take a moment to reflect on the origin and nature of our fears, even in the midst of turmoil. Tiredness ? Bitterness? Perhaps ! Lack of faith : often! Let us listen to the Lord's rebuke to his disciples : "Why are you fearful, people of little faith ?" Yes, faith drives out fear !

Source (Pleasing the Lord)