Falling
asleep was a challenging event during my childhood. No sooner had my parents
turned out the lights than the crumpled clothes I had thrown on the chair would
take on the form of a fiery dragon and the thoughts of something living under
my bed put me into a panic that made sleep impossible.
I’ve come
to realize that the immobilizing power of fear is not just a childhood
experience. Fear keeps us from forgiving, taking a stand at the office, giving
our resources to God’s kingdom, or saying no when all our friends are saying
yes. Left to ourselves, we are up against a lot of fiery dragons in our lives.
In the
story of the disciples in the storm-tossed boat, I’m struck by the fact that
the only one who was not afraid was Jesus. He was not afraid of the storm, nor
was He afraid of a crazy man in a graveyard or of the legion of demons that
possessed him (Matt. 8:23-34).
In the face of fear, we need to hear Jesus ask, “Why are you fearful?” (v.26) and be reminded that He will never leave us nor forsake us (Heb. 13:5-6). There is nothing that He can’t overcome and therefore nothing for Him to fear. So, next time you’re haunted by your fears, remember that you can rely on Jesus, our fearless Champion!
