Fear is a strong feeling when we expect danger or pain.

You might be totally fine, and then a thought comes along and suddenly you feel afraid. Here’s an acronym for fear: False Evidence Appearing Real. There is an amazing story in Matthew 8. Jesus and his disciples were traveling across the sea when a violent storm came over the waters. Scripture says that the disciples thought they were going to die. Jesus was asleep. The disciples woke him up and he replied, "Why are you fearful, you of little faith?" Then He got up and rebuked the winds and the sea. And there was a great calm.

Please hear the heart behind Jesus' words. Jesus does not shame his friends for being afraid. The storm was very REAL. What was FALSE, was that the storm was in control. They had Jesus in the boat! HE created the waves, the sea, the clouds, the rain. The storm was real, but Jesus was in control. The power of Jesus sustained his friends through their fears. Fear is real, but Jesus is bigger than our fears.

"For God has not given us a spirit of fearfulness, but one of power, love, and sound judgment." 2 Timothy 1:7

Instead of fear, God has given us a spirit of:

1. Power - because of Jesus we can talk to the creator of the universe!

2. Love - in Jesus we are loved perfectly and have the ability to love others.

3. Sound Judgment - in Jesus we have the ability to know what is right and what is wrong…..what is true and what is false.

What makes me feel afraid?

What do you think God wants you to do when you feel afraid?

Jesus, thank you for showing us how you are in control. You are bigger than everything we fear.

Help us see the false evidence in our fears. Point out how these things keep us hopeless, but you have given us all our hope in you. Help us turn to you when we feel afraid. Thank you for calming our storms. Amen.