November 7 - Phobiaphobia
November 7
Phobiaphobia
Bible Reading: Mark 4:35-41
35On the same day, when evening had come, He said to them, “Let us cross over to the other side.” 36Now when they had left the multitude, they took Him along in the boat as He was. And other little boats were also with Him. 37And a great windstorm arose, and the waves beat into the boat, so that it was already filling. 38But He was in the stern, asleep on a pillow. And they awoke Him and said to Him, “Teacher, do You not care that we are perishing?” 39Then He arose and rebuked the wind, and said to the sea, “Peace, be still!” And the wind ceased and there was a great calm. 40But He said to them, “Why are you so fearful? How is it that you have no faith?” 41And they feared exceedingly, and said to one another, “Who can this be, that even the wind and the sea obey Him!”
Psalm 56:3
When I am afraid, I will trust in You.
WHAT ARE YOU afraid of? Some people act like they're not afraid of anything. Some act like they're afraid of everything. In fact, there seems to be a name for almost every kind of fear imaginable. The list below contains just a few:
Acrophobia: the fear of heights
Agoraphobia: the fear of open spaces
Arachnophobia: the fear of spiders
Claustrophobia: the fear of small, closed-in spaces
Hydrophobia: the fear of water
Mysophobia: the fear of dirt or germs
Nyctophobia: the fear of darkness
Ochlophobia: the fear of crowds
Schoolphobia: fear of school
Triskaidekaphobia: the fear of the number 13 (oh no, there it is!)
You probably never knew there were so many things to be afraid of, did you? There's even phobiaphobia, the fear of fear itself!
Everybody's afraid sometimes. But being self-controlled means learning to control your worries and fears instead of letting them control you. That's easier said than done, of course, but that's what God desires for us. And that's what He's able to do for us.
Jesus can calm your heart and mind, just as He was able to calm the raging Sea of Galilee (see Mark 4:35-41). He is able to quiet your fears and relieve your worries, just as he soothed the disciples fears that night long ago. The psalmist knew the secret of controlling worry and fear, which is why he wrote, "When I am afraid, I will trust in you" (Psalm 56:3, NIV).
That's the secret. Let the presence of God control your fear ... instead of letting your fear control you.
REFLECT: How did Jesus' disciples (in today's Bible reading) respond to their fears? How did they respond after Jesus calmed the sea? Are you ever afraid? If so, when are you most afraid? Which do you think is better: to control your fears or be controlled by your fears? Why? How do you think you can control your fears?
PRAY: "Lord, sometimes I'm afraid or worried, especially when ______________________. Please teach me to let Your presence and power control my fears instead of letting them control me."