Mark 4:40 NKJV But He said to them, “Why are you so fearful? How is it that you have no faith?”
FEAR is very similar to faith in at least one point and that is they both expect something. Both faith and fear believe something and they both receive what they believe.
Jesus and the disciples were taking a boat across the Sea of Galilee when an incredibly violent storm arose. The storm was so bad that even Peter, James, & John, who were all experienced sailors/fishermen believed that they were going to die (Mark 4:38). They weren’t in faith at the moment; Jesus even told them that here in verse 40. He said, “Why are you so fearful? How is it that you have no faith?”
You see fear has an expectation. It expects a negative or a bad outcome. Bible faith on the other hand always expects a positive or a good outcome based on a promise from God.
Fear expects things based on circumstance, experience, and just for the sake of fear itself. It expects something to be stolen. Fear expects things to be taken away or to be prevented from having something or joined with someone. Fear expects things to fall apart (relationships, finances, cars, etc.) and to be destroyed. It expects sickness, disease, death and even more fear. And the worst part is fear eventually receives exactly what it is expecting because, like faith, fear believes and receives.
God doesn’t want you to fear, because He knows the power of your expectation and the words that follow that belief which then shape and change our circumstances. Instead of having fear based on circumstances, experiences, or imaginations we can have faith in God. In fact, Jesus told us to, “Have faith in God” in Mark 11:22.
What is it that you are afraid of? Why is it that your faith is deficient in light of your fears? Don’t ever forget for a moment WHO is with you in the boat. When we allow the reality of God’s present nature with us to slip fear will creep in. And when we take for granted the awesome truth of His immense power and ability we also become subject to fear seeing our circumstance in larger light then Him.
Fear expects the worst. Faith expects God to perform His Word. Fear believes and receives just like faith. If you still don’t believe me, just ask Job (Job 3:25). So don’t let the reality of God’s presence with you diminish, remind yourself constantly. I used to have a post-it-note on my steering column that said God is here to remind me. And not only is He with you in the boat of life, but He has already released the power to save you, heal you, and deliver you from every circumstance toward you when He raised Christ from the Dead. Fear believes and receives. So stop fearing and only believe
Fearless Fridays 