Then he got into the boat and his disciples followed him. Suddenly a furious storm came up on the lake, so that the waves swept over the boat. But Jesus was sleeping. The disciples went and woke him, saying, “Lord, save us! We’re going to drown!” He replied, “You of little faith, why are you so afraid?” Then he got up and rebuked the winds and the waves, and it was completely calm. The men were amazed and asked, “What kind of man is this? Even the winds and the waves obey him!”

--Parallel verses:
‭‭I John‬ ‭4‬:‭17‬-‭19‬
This is how love is made complete among us so that we will have confidence on the day of judgment: In this world we are like Jesus. There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love. We love because he first loved us.

After my oldest son got his Hunter’s Ed finished and got his hunting license, I took him up into the mountains to hunt deer. We saw a cougar and a bear on that trip, who were hunting the same animals we were. It was a little dangerous, but we were well equipped, and I wanted to show him how to hunt for his own meat, in case he needed to do so later. Plus it was fun and a memorable experience.

Jesus led his disciples into the storm. Just like how I prepared my son for future adventures and tried to build up his confidence, Jesus was testing his disciples faith. I believe he likely knew the storm was going to come. Maybe the clouds were dark or the Spirit of God prompted him, but he led them into the storm. Why did he do this? He wanted them to experience hardship in order to grow their faith.

As the storm became violent, they marveled at him sleeping. But instead of jumping on an oar, Jesus was at peace and waiting on God’s plan to materialize. So when they woke him he sprung into action and calmed the storm. Then he lectured them for having little faith.

This could be interpreted that they should not have woken him, and just trusted him. But the Bible is full of examples where God wants us to call on him in our time of need. I think he expected them to immediately trust him that he had a plan and just ask for help. Instead, they told him they were going to drown.

Fear of drowning paralyzed their faith. Fear often does this in our lives, and I have wrestled with fear for much of my life. Our cross reference tells us how we cast out fear - we perfect our love. And when we perfectly love God, part of this is recognizing who he is and his power to save us. We do not need to allow fear to overwhelm us. He is faithful!

How does fear overwhelm me? Will I go to Jesus for help? And when I do, will I go to Jesus with confidence in him, instead of fear of this world or my situation?

Lord, your Word calls us to let the PERFECT LOVE you give us DRIVE OUT FEAR. I claim this today! I will trust you with all that is in front of me and rely on you for my strength moment by moment!