On that day, as evening drew on, he said to them, “Let us cross to the other side.” And, leaving the crowd, they took him with them in the boat just as he was. And other boats were with him. Just then a violent squall came up and waves were breaking over the boat, so that it was already filling up. Jesus was in the stern, asleep on a cushion. They woke him and said to him, “Teacher, do you not care that we are perishing?!” He woke up, rebuked the wind and said to the sea, “Quiet! Be still!” The wind ceased and there was great calm. Then he asked them, “why are you terrified? Do you not yet have faith?”
Mark 4: 35-40
Imagine yourself to be in the boat with Jesus and the disciples as described in the Gospel of Mark. You are out, in the middle of the lake, when suddenly, the sky grows dark and the wind begins to stiffen. Sheets of rain start to come down and the waves grow larger and larger. In very short order, the wind and rain are howling around you, the distant shore cannot be seen and waves are breaking and crashing over the sides and into the boat. The simple craft, with you in it, is tossing and turning sinking lower and lower into the water…
While most of us, hopefully, will never know an experience like that described in the Gospel, we are all probably familiar with feelings of fear and anxiety - maybe as great as those felt by the disciples during the storm. Our concerns could be related to academic performance, professional pressures, family worries or the experience of change. What is it in all of those things that causes our fear? Is it a lack of control? Fear of failure? Being worried about the unknown? Is it a fear of pain or death? Maybe all of those things.
While it is true, then, that fear and worry are real it is also true that we often may be afraid of something for no good reason. Think about it – haven’t there been times in your life when you feared the worst and then everything turned out alright? Perhaps there is a lesson in all of that.
Life will challenge all of us, sometimes causing us to be afraid. But, as Jesus urged the disciples, even in the midst of fear we must have faith.
Suggested Activity: Meditation and Reflection Questions
1) The great Christian mystic, Julian of Norwich, had a deep and profound relationship with God. It was said that God even spoke to her these words: All Shall Be Well – And, All Shall Be Well – And, All Manner of Thing Shall Be Well.
Now, begin by quieting yourself and relaxing your body. Breath deeply – gently and fully exhaling and inhaling. Feel all of the worries and stresses of your life leaving your mind and body with each exhale. As you experience this breathing exercise begin to focus yourself on the words spoken to Julian of Norwich. Picture in your mind these words from God: All Shall Be Well – And, All Shall Be Well – And, All Manner of Thing Shall Be Well. Gently repeat this.
2) Reflect upon an event or relationship in your life where you have felt and known fear. Write about it. Where was God in the fear?
3) What are some things you would like to let go of that cause you anxiety? Write them down on a sheet of paper. Pray to let go of these fears – handing them over to God so that you no longer have to shoulder the weight of their burden. When you are ready, crumple up the sheet of paper and dispose of it, giving the fears up as you do so. Feel what it's like to be liberated from them.
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