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Faith for the Storms of Life

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The main character in the novel, A.D. 30, wrestles with her fears as the story moves forward. Maviah has led a hard life and must confront some harsh situations. Stephen, a follower of Yeshua, tells Maviah what he has learned about fear and faith.

Yeshua say always: be anxious for nothing. And what is anxiousness but what the Greeks say? It is merizo, ‘to doubt’, and nous, ‘the mind’. To have a divided mind, torn between security and fear. But we will only be anxious until we release all that we believe will save us, even knowledge, for faith, not knowledge, saves. This then is true salvation from all of life’s suffering in this age and the next. *

The Sea of Galilee: site of a fearful storm

The Sea of Galilee: site of a fearful storm

I have been chewing on these words. Fear has been a part of my life. When I married I was afraid to have children of my own because mental illness had occurred in two generations of my family.

As a nurse I knew enough to avoid the birth control pill. I used another method. In hindsight I realize that God cared for me, wanted me to grow in faith. Despite my fears He gave me four children.

With anxiety I pursued health for them: pediatric check-ups, antibiotics, vaccines; when they developed digestive problems after the MMR, appointments with specialists; then allergy diets. The storm still came. Our first son was diagnosed with leukemia.

My husband and I pursued every avenue of knowledge and medical treatment. Yet, God’s way became evident. He showed us through loving Christian friends and our son’s deep faith, that he loved Steven. God heard my prayers and saw my tears. He loved us and walked with us through the storm.

The line between fear and faith is thin. I have learned that frantic action based on fear may not be productive, perhaps even counter productive. It is important to recognize when we are gripped by fear. I may wonder at the fear that the disciples demonstrated during a storm on the Sea of Galilee, but I am just as susceptible to fear. If only I could always pause, trust and pray for wisdom.

If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him. But when he asks, he must believe and not doubt, because he who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind. James 1:5-6

Fear assaults us from many directions and can affect our ability to make good decisions. The recent measles outbreak sent waves of fear across the airwaves.

One pediatrician weighed in on the measles outbreak: The latest media presentation of the measles outbreak at Disneyland as a result of unvaccinated children is very upsetting to me.  We are being fed information that is essentially inaccurate by media journalists – none of whom have medical degrees – which may actually be promoting medical harm to our children.

 Finding the pathway that is well informed, yet leans on guidance from the Lord, demands faith and trust in God. He will get us through the storm.

Jesus calmed the storm.

Jesus calmed the storm.

David, the shepherd boy, honed his skills with the slingshot to protect his sheep, not knowing that one day he would face Goliath. David used his slingshot, but his confidence and security came from faith in God. God’s ways are beyond our logic and planning.

Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death I will fear no evil for you are with me. Your rod and your staff, they comfort me. Psalm 23:4

*Ted Dekker, A.D. 30, New York: Center Street. 2014 p. 335

Sharing this post with Sunday Stillness, the Weekend Brew, Grace and TruthFaith Filled Friday and Faith and Fellowship


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