F.E.A.R. – False Evidence Appearing Real

On February 2, 1887, the first Groundhog Day was celebrated in Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania, a tradition that continues to this day. It was a way of predicting the weather. If the groundhog comes out of its hole and sees its shadow, it gets scared and scurries back into its burrow, predicting six more weeks of winter weather. If it doesn’t see its shadow then it doesn’t get scared, doesn’t go back into its hole, and this means an early spring.

Needless to say, there is nothing scientific about this exercise. The groundhog’s fear has nothing to do with the weather; it has everything to do with its own psyche. We’re a lot like the groundhog. We rise from our burrow often and see shadows that are unfounded, unproven, and unreal. We retreat in fear. Our fear doesn’t change reality, but precious productivity and hope is lost.

Fear is a part of being human. As Christians, we’re instructed not to trust in shadows. We have a hope that extends beyond current circumstances, one that is based on the truth of the resurrection.

One of my favorite passages in the New Testament that addresses the subject of fear is recorded in the Gospels of Matthew, Mark, and Luke. It’s an incident in which the disciples were in a boat with Jesus when a storm came quickly and turned their afternoon boat ride into a life-threatening excursion. Mark records it this way:

That day when evening came, he said to his disciples, “Let us go over to the other side.” Leaving the crowd behind, they took him along, just as he was, in the boat. There were also other boats with him. A furious squall came up, and the waves broke over the boat, so that it was nearly swamped. Jesus was in the stern, sleeping on a cushion. The disciples woke him and said to him, “Teacher, don’t you care if we drown?” He got up, rebuked the wind and said to the waves, “Quiet! Be still!” Then the wind died down and it was completely calm. He said to his disciples, “Why are you so afraid? Do you still have no faith?” They were terrified and asked each other, “Who is this? Even the wind and the waves obey him!” (Mark 4:35-41)

I’ve always found it interesting that Jesus could sleep during such a crisis. Could it be that He knew they were not going to drown? The disciples woke Jesus with what appears to be indignation: “Don’t you care if we drown?”

Have you ever felt like you were going to drown? I sure have. I have had times when my day was going great, only to be hit with a furious squall that threatened to sink my hope. I have been overcome by fear as my best-laid plans seemed to have been tied to a rock that was headed for the bottom of the sea. But I’m still here, and the boat didn’t sink.

Jesus knew He and his companions were not going down. The Master of the Waves and the Wind was letting His friends experience all the danger that comes with being human. Jesus used the experience to teach the disciples He is bigger than their circumstances. He used it as an opportunity to grow their faith in Him.

Jesus does the same for us.

Notice that Jesus said, “Let us go to the other side.” It was His idea, not theirs. They got to the other side, but not without experiencing a faith-building exercise in the process. Jesus is saying to you and I, “Let’s go to the other side. There’s something over there that we need to participate in – something there for us that we won’t find on this side of the shore. Come out of your hole and don’t be afraid of the shadows. Shadows won’t sink your boat. You’re traveling with me on a mission that I have planned for you. I will not let you sink. Don’t be afraid. Trust me.”

Being human means we’re going to often just see the circumstances that threaten to sink our ship. We trust in what we see – no shadow, no fear – until the scenery changes. We then run back to our hole, rather than running to Jesus. But the truth is that we are not alone. Jesus is in the boat with us. He stands ready to rebuke the wind, the waves, and the shadows, and safely take us to the other side. And once we get to the other side, we’re all the better for having experienced the anguish that was part of the journey. We have the testimony of knowing that God is in control and that He loves us enough to not let us perish.

What circumstances are you facing right now that are swamping your boat? What shadows have you seen lately that threaten to cause you to retreat from the challenges of life? You don’t have to fear because we have one who is able to empathize with our weaknesses (Heb 4:15). His name is Jesus. He is with you. He will never fail you nor abandon you (Heb 13:5). He is accompanying you on this journey called life and will safely get you to the other side. Trust Him.

Play to win this week in the game that really counts!