Growing Faith

Remember the story of Jesus’ disciples when they were all in a boat and got caught in a storm?  It’s recorded in Luke 8.  We read that the disciples were terrified; therefore, since several of them were experienced fishermen, we can assume that this was one big, bad storm.  By the way, Jesus was sleeping through it all.  When the boat began to fill with water they woke Him up and shouted in fear, “Master, Master!  We’re going to drown!”

Now, we see nothing wrong with their reaction, do we?  Doesn’t it make perfect sense, that with water filling the boat, in the midst of strong winds and high waves, that they would be frantic?  Why then, after Jesus spoke to the wind and it immediately calmed, did Jesus say such a thing to them as, “Where is your faith?”  Seems a bit harsh, doesn’t it?

Jesus wasn’t being short tempered with them, nor was He belittling them in their fear.  He cares for us and always desires to help us through all storms of life.  His question, “Where is your faith?” wasn’t asked to suggest they had no faith at all.  Rather, it was asked to get them to consider upon what or upon whom were they putting their faith. You see, when they woke Him, they had already come to a conclusion — they were going to drown.  Their fear had already determined the outcome. When we let fear be our focal point, there is no hope of inner peace, even with Jesus in the boat.

If, on the other hand, we make Jesus our focus, then hope always reigns, no matter the outcome.  I have listened to stories from those who believed they would die in a situation, but the focus of their tale is not the fear of the possible outcome; rather, it is a joyful narrative of God’s own peace keeping fear from imprisoning their minds.  When Jesus is the focus, the outcome is always secondary, and peace that passes human understanding reigns.  It’s quite literally — peace that is out of this world.

“Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything.  Tell God what you need, and thank Him for all He has done.  Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand.  His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus.”  Philippians 4:6-7

May Jesus be primary.  May fear of unwanted outcome be secondary.  Such a focus always brings inner peace.