Two Types of Fear

"And He said to them, 'Why are you afraid? Do you still have no faith?' " Mark 4:40 

Everyone experiences fear. ​There is beneficial fear and non-beneficial fear. In Mark 4:35-41, we read about Jesus and the disciples on the sea when a great windstorm arose. Before entering the boat with Jesus to cross over to the other side, the disciples heard many parables that Jesus explained and saw the miracles He performed. Even with their history with Jesus and the most recent teachings through parables, the disciples feared the great windstorm that caused the boat to fill with the waves beating into it. Although Jesus was in the boat with them, they doubted His concern for them because He was asleep. The disciples were moved not by Jesus’ presence, but by the tumultuous circumstance that appeared to continue longer than they desired. They perceived Jesus as inactive and uncaring about their safety or their lives. The fear that the disciples displayed during the great windstorm was non-beneficial. This fear grew increasingly with the circumstances, revealing their perception of Jesus and increasing their doubt.
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Immediately after waking Jesus, Mark 4:41, shares that the disciples then feared exceedingly about what they witnessed Christ perform, as the wind and the sea immediately became calm at His command. The fear that the disciples now displayed was reverential fear, which was beneficial. They acknowledged and recognized the greatness of Jesus, rather than the windstorm that they once believed was so great and led to their choice to doubt Jesus and to question His character. Jesus had not changed simply because the weather had. The only change was that the disciples now perceived the One, who was and has always been, as in control of all things.

This passage shows us that even the bravest individuals face fear at some point. Fear is real, but so is courage. Courage is to remain steadfast in faith, knowing that Christ controls all things; we have nothing to fear because He never changes, His character remains the same, and He will never leave nor forsake us. His greatness should cause the beneficial fear the disciples had, which acknowledged His greatness and worshipful admission that even the wind and sea must submit.

Just like the disciples, we can either choose to fear and believe everything that destroys our faith and have non-beneficial fear, or we can choose to worship, believe, and trust Christ amid what we see, hear, feel, and experience in the midst of all that may tempt us to doubt. Remember, whichever you give the most attention to, it will grow and dominate your thoughts, speech, and behavior, thus, affecting your faith in Christ, relationships, and your life.