Making Room for the Impossible by Richard Roberts

Author:Richard Roberts
Language: eng
Format: mobi, epub
Tags: Faith, Christian Life
Publisher: Richard Roberts
Published: 2000-06-14T22:00:00+00:00

Chapter 5

DON'T LET FEAR GET A GRIP ON YOU!

What do you do when the bottom falls out of your life? How can you get from the place of that initial shock when something bad happens to the place of receiving a miracle?

I want to draw your attention to a story in Matthew 14:22-33 that describes how Jesus saw the disciples toiling and rowing on the Sea of Galilee. It was the fourth watch of the night (about three o'clock in the morning), and the men were fearful and struggling because of a contrary wind.

The Lord had just come down from the mountainside where He had been praying, and when He saw their struggle, He began to walk on the water toward their ship. Suddenly they looked up and saw this shadowy figure walking toward them through the mist, and they were startled and frightened. They cried out, "It's a spirit!" They were deeply troubled by what they saw.

Isn't it amazing that the disciples did not recognize Jesus when He came walking toward them? They thought He was an evil spirit, a ghost, and they cried out in fear.

When you and I get hurt and angry and frustrated, when we're panic-stricken, we may not recognize the Lord either, even when He's standing right in front of us. We may not recognize the hand of God when He's already at work in our lives.

But Jesus has a way of handling us when we panic. Verse 27 says, But immediately Jesus spoke to them, saying, "Be of good cheer! It is I; do not be afraid." Let's read that last thought again: "Do not be afraid." The disciples were in a state of fear. That's why they thought Jesus was an evil spirit!

It's so important for you to realize that when you're gripped with fear, it distorts your perception of reality. Actually, fear has its own reality, which is not based upon any outward reality, and it's certainly not based upon the truth of God's Word.

Fear tells you that your body is eaten up with cancer when, in reality, there may not be one single cancer cell in your body.

Fear tells you that your children are hooked on drugs when, in reality, they may be good kids who simply have a different style of dressing. Fear tells you that your husband is having an affair when, in reality, he may be working long hours so he can afford to take you on a second honeymoon!

Fear paints a picture in your mind of things that are NOT TRUE. If you meditate on that picture long enough, it can warp your attitude, distort your outlook on the future, and destroy your health, your relationships, and your whole life.

When we become frightened, we frequently act like the disciples did. We're apt to think of the devil and evil spirits. But the very instant fear strikes, there is Someone who is speaking to us just as He spoke to the disciples that night on the Sea of Galilee.

Download

Copyright Disclaimer:
This site does not store any files on its server. We only index and link to content provided by other sites. Please contact the content providers to delete copyright contents if any and email us, we'll remove relevant links or contents immediately.