Peace, be still! Mark 4:39 (NKJV)
Peace Be Still – Afraid Series – Part 2
Go to PART 1 | PART 2 | PART 3 | PART 4 | PART 5 | PART 6
Jesus was often asking, telling and encouraging people to cross to the other side. Not just in a journey sense, He was always moving away from the centre of things to the edges of life. He didn’t play it safe in the middle of the crowd; he pushed the boundaries.
He ate with tax collectors and prostitutes; he made disciples of ordinary folk, he befriended the weird and healed the outcast and forgotten. He humbly met with men in power at midnight to answer their questions, and he told parables that upset the status quo.
Now, today, we can look back and see the NARRATIVE of his life. The movement and melody of his days, the unforced rhythms of his grace (more on that later) as he journeyed and moved through life.
It may seem that God is dualistic about fear when we read the words ‘Don’t be afraid,” and then, “Fear the Lord” side by side. But he’s not. The Divine is about redemption, resurrection, movement, progress – crossing from one side of fear to the other side of it.
Much like the journey Jesus and his disciples embarked on that day on the lake.
I had to laugh at the Oxford Dictionaries definition of fear: “An unpleasant (UNPLEASANT? Cos that’s the word I think of when I hear a strange sound in the dark of night: ‘Oh, what an unpleasant feeling of fear I’m having right now…) emotion caused by the threat of danger, pain, or harm; The likelihood of something unwelcome (again, unwelcome?!) happening; A mixed feeling of dread and reverence.”
Fear is a disruptive, menacing, and powerful foe. Sometimes we can see it coming, hurtling itself towards us like a rabid dog, and the anticipation – the fear of fear itself – can be the most horrific (not unpleasant) feeling.
Then sometimes, it creeps up on us from behind, quietly and invisibly. Taps us on the shoulder and plays tricks on our minds. We have a great capacity for fear.
Side note: fear is often HELPFUL! Let’s not forget that fear has stopped you from walking down the street alone at night, stepping out into traffic, engaging in dangerous activities… fear and pain ARE designed to help us, but far too often they overwhelm us instead.
We're not designed to live in constant fear. What it does to our bodies and brains on a physiological level is proof of that. However, fear is real and present. Anyone who says otherwise is in denial. God never said, “Fear is not real.” Rather, he said, “Do not be afraid.”
It's not a “Don’t you dare feel fear you weakling!” It’s an encouraging, “Do you feel fear? Is it fighting to control you? Don’t worry, stay awake and aware, keep fear in its rightful place. Cross to the other side. See your fear, know your fear, and then move beyond it.”
I think that’s what courage looks like.
Fear wants to interrupt our conscious response to what’s happening in us and around us. In moments of uncertainty, horror, tragedy, decision, and even opportunity and adventure, love and peace, trust and faith; fear wants to hi-jack our ability to be fully present and aware. It wants us to react rather than engage and respond.
That day on the lake in Mark's account, the disciples woke Jesus up in fear of death because a massive storm raged around them.
When Jesus opened his eyes and saw what was happening, he didn’t perform a ritual, he didn’t recite the Torah, preach an eloquent sermon, shame his friends or demand and know one by one why they were all crying and scared… He simply spoke out into the storm, into their fears:
“Peace, be still.”
Over to you… How does fear affect you? Leave us your comments below.
Go to Part 3 – The Valley of Deep Darkness »
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