Fear in the Storms of Life; a.k.a. Where's my Life Map?

Then Jesus got into the boat and started across the lake with his disciples. Suddenly, a fierce storm struck the lake, with waves breaking into the boat. But Jesus was sleeping. The disciples went and woke him up, shouting, “Lord, save us! We’re going to drown!”

Jesus responded, “Why are you afraid? You have so little faith!” Then he got up and rebuked the wind and waves, and suddenly there was a great calm. Matthew 8:23-26

I love this passage.

My friend Julie told me one day that "Fear is the absence of faith in God."

In the storms of life, there is sadness over loss or disappointment at missed opportunities. But Jesus rebukes the disciples for their fear. Why are you afraid, disciples? It's because you have so little faith.
Why are you afraid, Lauren? It's because you have so little faith.

That sort of hits like a slap in the face. Hey, I can be afraid if I want to!

But God's word doesn't line up with that:

"Be anxious for nothing, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus." - Philippians 4:6-7

NOTHING? I'm not supposed to be anxious about ANYTHING? But I have no idea where I am going or what I am doing!

As my friend DeWanda says, "Get rid of your life map."

Oh yeah. That was MY life map. God has made it clear that my map goes nowhere. And if I do truly believe that God is Sovereign, Consistent and that He Loves me then His map is the one to follow.

Good thing He only shows me the path one step at a time. I would have tried to skip to the finish if He'd shown me the whole picture.

A couple of weeks ago my pastor asked us to imagine this scenario. Someone comes to you at the beginning of your life and says you can have your pick of either

A.) a life without struggle but you would be shallow and never blossom or grow

Or

B.) a life with hardship, struggle and sacrifice but you would blossom and flourish being refined by the fire

Would anyone really not choose a cushy life that was without struggle just because they wouldn't "blossom" or "flourish"?

So in order for me to be the human that I was made to be, I have to experience struggle.


Maybe knowing that (and praying) can help me turn the fear and lack of faith into hope.