Rooted People Get Afraid, Too

Rooted people show disappointment, anger, fear, and other emotions. In their human frailty they can waver. There are some storms that hit the rooted so hard and so quickly that their branches may bow but their roots stay grounded. Consider the disciples, they were in the midst of a violent storm, were physically with Jesus and yet they were afraid. There can be much speculation as to why they were afraid or why they should not have been afraid, but the fact is they were afraid. Moreover, these were tough men who were no strangers to the sea or its storms, yet they were still fearful. What type of storm could cause fear in such men? The scripture says, “”and suddenly a great tempest (storm, hurricane, typhoon) arose  on the sea, so that the boat was covered with waves” (Mat 8:24). So just like certain illnesses or situations can catch us by surprise, this storm caught the disciples by surprise. They were not prepared for a storm of this proportion. It doesn’t mean they weren’t prepared for storms; they were fishermen, but they were hit suddenly and hard by a storm of huge proportions.

Imagine, the waves covering the boat and filling it with water, the men trying to get the water out of the boat while the boat is being tossed to and from by waves and wind. Sails ripping, beams breaking, men yelling and trying to move about the boat while it is literally being rocked violently. If you have ever been on a cruise ship in a storm you know it is scary. The disciples were wet, cold, despondent and afraid, yet the Lord slept peacefully. The disciples were afraid despite having the Lord with them on the boat. They were afraid despite being with the Lord who had previously performed miracles in their presence. The disciples were rooted but still human. When the storm hit, they started to doubt the power and protection of Christ. Their faith had diminished a little because of fear even after witnessing the great faith of the Centurion soldier.  

Despite being fully aware of who Jesus was and what He could do they were still afraid. Did these rooted men believe Christ would let them perish? Did they doubt His power? Did they see and still not believe? Regardless of the reason, they were afraid in the midst of a storm that struck suddenly and was wreaking havoc on their boat. While this was happening, Jesus slept. Jesus, the master of the sea, was unbothered by the storm and in His human form needed rest. Nonetheless, the scripture says that the disciples went and woke Him saying, “Lord, save us! We are perishing!” So, they knew he could save them and went to Him when they were afraid and asked for help. They acknowledged His power with that simple statement, “Lord, save us!” but also admitted their doubt by saying, “We are perishing!” Although they were rooted, they allowed fear to control them. They knew but did not believe; sound familiar? Jesus asked, “Why are you fearful? O you of little faith?” Then He got up and rebuked (reprimanded, admonished) the winds and the sea, and there was a great calm.

Imagine the disciples in that boat in that storm without Jesus; imagine if they weren’t rooted. Being  rooted or rootless makes a big difference in this scenario and in life. Rooted believers can be like the disciples: on the boat, in the storm with Jesus and still afraid. Fear caused them to forget that their boat is designed to weather all storms because the One who controls the storm built the boat and is on the boat (He will never leave nor forsake you- Hebrews 13:5). Yes, the storms of life will come; death, sickness, unemployment, relationship problems, addiction and disease, and we may get dismayed, depressed, or afraid. However, the rooted believer, even when afraid or disappointed, can take comfort in that fact that although storms will come, disappointments will happen he is kept and protected by the Master of the Sea.

PRAYER: Father, thank You for rescuing us from the storms of life. Thank You for rebuking our fears ,but not our requests. Thank You for coming when we call and calming our concerns. Forgive us Father for doubting Your Power. Forgive us for knowing, but not believing in Your protection, Your goodness, Your grace, and Your mercy. When the storms of life are raging it is You who calms the troubled waters of our hearts and minds. Thank You for always being with us and thank You for Your Son, Jesus the Christ who died and rose for our sins. In the matchless name of Jesus, Amen.
By Sis. Pat Towns