Sermonette: February 15, 2021

Fear can be a positive protective measure, and fear can morph into something destructive. When fear overwhelms us (2020 anyone?), we often tend to isolate ourselves, curving more and more inward. Scripture tells us the last thing we should do is to isolate ourselves.

In Scripture’s many “be not afraid”, God sends someone to the fearful one. When we’re afraid, God sends someone to us because we need to talk about it. When we say our fears out loud, and really be honest, we can diffuse their heaviness and power on our lives.

Matthew's account of Jesus calming the storm (Matthew 8:23-27) shows Jesus with the disciples while the storm comes up. Storms will come up, even if you’re doing all the right things, praying all the right prayers, following all the rules and having all the faith. Tragedy strikes. The same arguments have a way of cycling back through our relationships. Life on this earth isn’t easy.

So surround yourself with people you trust. Those with whom you can share your fears. Sometimes we need a neutral person who has extra training to help process deep worries and fears. There are so many wonderful resources available from trained professionals.

Ideally, local churches are a place where we can feel safe admitting our fears. A place where Christ is proclaimed, and our hope and refuge is in the Body of Christ.

Hearing and experiencing the gospel – that you are forgiven, that you are never forsaken, that you are enough even with all your imperfections, that you are called to love your neighbor – is an antidote to destructive fear.

Jesus suffered a horrible death at the hands of the most powerful. That was scary. Most of his followers were too afraid to stay with him. This fear, isolation, evil, violence – these storms – are real and alive in this world. Because Jesus went through this, there’s nothing that can separate his love from us. Christ is always in the boat, standing up for you, giving you his righteousness and raising you to new life. Amen.