Immediately he made the disciples get into the boat and go before him to the other side, while he dismissed the crowds. And after he had dismissed the crowds, he went up on the mountain by himself to pray. When evening came, he was there alone, but the boat by this time was a long way from the land, beaten by the waves, for the wind was against them. And in the fourth watch of the night he came to them, walking on the sea. But when the disciples saw him walking on the sea, they were terrified, and said, “It is a ghost!” and they cried out in fear. But immediately Jesus spoke to them, saying, “Take heart; it is I. Do not be afraid.” Matthew 14:22-27

Is fear a bad thing?

The part of this story you are likely familiar with is when Peter walks on water. Notice the variety of circumstances building in this story, just before Peter steps foot out of the boat. Jesus sent the disciples out on a boat and dismissed the crowds. Meanwhile, He went off to pray. The boat was a distance away from the land and it was the fourth watch, meaning it was early in the morning. Over 12 hours had gone by and the disciples had been rowing to save their lives.

Jesus immediately addresses the main issue: fear. How could any man not be afraid in this moment? The lesson is pointed and clear. Faith and fear are opposed to each other if fear is misplaced. Jesus would never say not to fear God. So fear is not a bad thing if the object of the fear is correct. Had the discipled cried out to God instead of relying on their physical strength and seamanship, the situation would have been much different.

DO THIS TODAY: Stop fearing everything else and start fearing God.