Have No Fear

Before you begin: Read Matthew 14:22-33

I can think of few things that steal my ability to live abundantly more swiftly than fear.  I know I’m not alone in this, but sometimes it feels that way. Does anyone else have this incredible ability to be afraid of things, whether or not they are rooted in reality? At one time I was afraid of having too many kids, now I’m afraid of not having any more. I fear suffering, loss, pain. As my husband was leaving town this week for a business trip, I told him to drive safely because I need him to come home alive. He responded that he wasn’t going off to war, only to Lincoln, and that he’d be home safely.

I don’t want to give fear more credit than it’s due, but I’m just trying to paint the picture of my struggle. I’m a nervous nellie, a worry wart, call it what you want. But for many, fear can be crippling.

This week I began praying with Matthew 14:22-33 again. It’s one of my favorite bible passages to pray with. This time, as I placed myself in the story, I was so struck by Jesus’ words, “Take heart, it is I, have no fear.” I see myself so often curled up in the boat, tossed by the waves, soaking wet, and missing out on Jesus. I miss his presence, his words of peace and comfort because I’m too wrapped up in my own fears.

Yes, suffering will come and hard things will happen in this life, of that we can be assured. But He’s never going to leave us alone in that suffering. He’s there, waiting in the storm that life can be, arms outstretched, whispering those words of hope, and waiting for me to let go of the deep fears I am clutching so desperately. He’s waiting that I might reach out and hold his hands as I step out of the boat, strengthened and fortified by the only person with whom I can do the impossible.

As I try so hard to relinquish control of my own life, I continually find him there on the water, calling me to him – out of comfort, out of fear, and into the abundance and life that he is seeking to give.

What fears do you need to let go of today so that you might hold his hands and walk with him in the storm?

One great way to pray with scriptures is Ignatian meditation. It’s a type of prayer where you enter into the story imaginatively and allow yourself to experience it for yourself. Use the prompts below to help you pray with this passage.

Read Matthew 14:22-33

• Place yourself in the story. Who are you? What do you see, hear, feel, smell?
• What are you doing on the boat and what are the others saying?
• You see Jesus. What is he doing? What is he saying to you? Do you step out of the boat? Are you walking on water?
• Spend some more time with this scripture, allowing yourself to imagine and experience. Journal about it if you enjoy praying in that way.
• What are your biggest takeaways from this time? What do you need to tell Jesus and what is he telling you?
• Consider your greatest fears and obstacles to living abundantly. Speak to Jesus about these things.
• Create one tangible action item that stems from this time of prayer and put it into practice.