Where is Your Faith?

The disciples feared for their lives in the midst of a storm, while the Prince of Peace was sleeping in the boat. Luke says that they were in real danger, and humanly speaking, fear was a reasonable reaction! They wake Jesus up, and shout, “Master, Master, we’re going to drown!” How does He respond? He takes charge, calms the storm, and then asks, “Where is your faith?” (You can read this account in Luke 8:22-25.)

There are times in our lives where fear seems to be the logical response to our circumstances. If you have not been faced with these storms of life yet, your time will come sooner or later! Having children carrying your heart around outside your own body is enough to bring fear to any mother; having any of them go through serious medical issues has the potential to knock you off your rocker. I wrote Who Am I? shortly after my youngest son’s first brain surgery. Times like that can test anyone’s strength of heart.

But if you have given your life to the Prince of Peace, there is no need to fear! Fear tries to take our eyes off of the Author and Perfecter of our faith, Jesus Christ. “And let us run with endurance the race God has set before us. We do this by keeping our eyes on Jesus, the champion who initiates and perfects our faith. Because of the joy awaiting him, he endured the cross, disregarding its shame. Now he is seated in the place of honor beside God’s throne.” (Hebrews 1-2, NLT) The cross we bear will never even come close to what Christ suffered through. Just as He kept his eyes on the joy set before him, so can we! The pain of this life will not last forever, no matter what fear wants us to believe.

Absolutely anything we go through in this life can be turned around for the glory of God. James even tells us to find joy in our trials! “Dear brothers and sisters, when troubles come your way, consider it an opportunity for great joy. For you know that when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow. So let it grow, for when your endurance is fully developed, you will be perfect and complete, needing nothing.” (James 1:2-4) If our eyes are on the wrong thing and we’re seeped in fear, it’s quite difficult to choose joy.

When fear tries to take over, it’s time to take control of our thoughts and tell them what to cling to. “We take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.” (2 Corinthians 10:5 NIV)

Check out this song by Zach Williams:  Fear is a Liar

If you have given your life to the Prince of Peace, it’s time to kick fear to the curb. It has no place in your life, heart, or mind anymore. You belong to Someone else now!