HOW TO BATTLE FEAR AND WORRY
CHANGE WON’T HAPPEN WITHOUT TRUST
Every Christian has to decide: Am I trusting that Jesus is for me always, or am I believing His care for me diminishes based on my performance?
Is Jesus my king, provider, and comforter? Or, is He a distant authority figure watching me weather storms alone?
In Matthew 14:22 -33, the disciples found themselves at this crossroads. They were in the middle of a storm, frightened and hopeless.
Jesus approaches them and says,” “Take Heart; it is I. Do not be afraid.”
Apprehensive and uncertain, Peter calls out to Jesus,” Lord, if it’s you tell me to come to you on the water.”
Peter walks on water with Jesus full of faith and trust. But the moment is broken as soon as the wind kicks up and Peter lets fear creep back in.
Like Peter, everything changes when we trust that Jesus wants the best for us. We can stop worrying. We can embrace change. But inevitably, the wind kicks up again.
The alarm doesn’t go off. You get news from your boss you weren’t expecting. A friend betrays you.
In those moments when worry creeps in, we can look to Jesus or start looking for ways to keep ourselves afloat.
WAYS TO FOCUS ON JESUS TODAY
- SPEND TIME IN THE BIBLE
When I am not looking for Jesus daily, my perception of Him goes from good King to enemy. His plans look terrifying and my ways look better.
Keeping our perspective in check starts with us knowing who we’re putting our trust in.
READING BIBLE shows us more about Jesus and builds trust in our hearts.
- SERVE SOMEONE ELSE FOR A CHANGE
When I focus more on myself than the people around me, I focus more on my doubt and fear. Serving others allows me to remember that life is not all about me.
Serving also allows me to come face to face with situations I can’t fix or control. So, as I reach out to serve others, I find myself reaching up to Jesus more and more.
- PRAY
Prayer doesn’t have to be super religious, lengthy, and eloquent. God also loves raw, honest prayers. When Peter was afraid and sinking, he didn’t say,” Jesus, Holy Messiah, save me if it is your will.” He said,” Lord save me!”
Matthew 14:30
Most of us avoid prayer because we think we have to impress someone. Prayer isn’t for me to impress Jesus. He knows my heart. Prayer allows me to grow by being open and honest with Jesus and myself.
- HANG OUT WITH OTHER PEOPLE WHO ARE TRYING TO FOLLOW JESUS
There is power in numbers. We’re more likely to have faith and be less fearful when we’re surrounded by people who point us back to Jesus.
Hebrews 10: 24-25
Jesus’s love, provision, and sovereignty are always present. But I can see those things more clearly through the love and support of Christian friends. Celebrating God’s miracles in each other’s lives helps to make those moments real and gives us touchstones to go back to when fear creeps in.
Peter was only able to walk on water when he kept his eyes on Jesus. The miracle of change, the ability to do the impossible, comes when we do the same—putting our eyes on Jesus rather than the storms that surround us.
