In Matthew 14:27, the Bible reads, “But immediately Jesus spoke to them, saying, ‘Take heart; it is I. Do not be afraid.’” A storm rose quickly on the Sea of Galilee, & the disciples were afraid.
Although they had seen Jesus perform many miracles, the disciples feared for their lives, so they turned to their Savior, & He calmed the waters & the wind. Sometimes, like the disciples, we feel threatened by the inevitable storms of life. However, when we are afraid, we too can turn to Christ for courage & for comfort. Down through the centuries, in times of trouble & trial, God has brought courage to the hearts of those who love Him. The Bible is filled with assurances of God’s help & comfort in every kind of trouble. Courage is the ability to be strong in trust, in conviction, in obedience. To be courageous is to step out in faith – to trust & obey, no matter what. Yes, there will be times when we will face disappointments & challenges that leave us worried & afraid. Nevertheless, the next time we find ourselves afraid, remember that the One who calmed the wind & the waves is also our Savior & our God. Let us seek strength from Christ. Let us remain mindful who our God is. Let us share in the words of the Psalmist in Psalm 27:1 “The Lord is my light & my salvation; whom shall I fear? The Lord is the stronghold of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?” Remember that the ultimate battle has already been won at the cross of Jesus. As Christians, we can live courageously in the promises of our Lord & we should.
- Antoine N. Holloway
