I am unaware of the original source of the following story:

As a sergeant in a parachute regiment I took part in several night time exercises. Once, I was seated next to a Lieutenant fresh from Jump School.

He was quiet, sad, and looked a bit pale so I struck up a conversation.  “Scared, Lieutenant?”, I asked.  He replied, “No, just a bit apprehensive.”

I asked, “What’s the difference?”

He replied, “That means I’m scared with a university education.”

It really doesn’t matter what word you prefer to use; we’ve all been there at some point. Afraid of what might happen. Afraid of what might not happen. Afraid of what the future holds.

Jesus lets us know that the remedy for “fear” is “faith.” Listen again to this familiar Bible story:

“Now when He got into a boat, His disciples followed Him.  And suddenly a great tempest arose on the sea, so that the boat was covered with the waves.  But He was asleep.  Then His disciples came to Him and awoke Him, saying, ‘Lord, save us!  We are perishing!’  But He said to them, ‘Why are you fearful, O you of little faith?’  Then He arose and rebuked the winds and the sea, and there was a great calm.” (Matt. 8:23-26)

There was a calm not only in the wind and the waves, but also in the hearts of the apostles.  Fear will drive out faith, but faith will drive out fear.

Whatever it is that frightens you today, may you find a “great calm” in knowing that your Savior is near.

Have a great day!

Alan Smith