The Antidote for Worry

I've been reading in the book of Mark--chapters 4, 5, and 6. Many terrible things are happening. Jesus and his disciples don't get much sleep or time to even eat. Multitudes of people are pushing, shoving, and so very needy. There is an enormous storm that has these seasoned fishermen terrified. They are sure their boat is sinking and that they will drown. A huge amount of evil spirits possess a man that is tormented day and night. A 12 year-old daughter is dying. A woman has been bleeding for 12 years, spending all she had on doctors that only made her problem worse. The 12 year-old girl dies. Jesus just doesn't seem to be in a hurry to keep these things from happening. These are all completely logical causes for worry!

But Jesus treats each case with authority that clearly shows who He is--God! In each worrisome situation, there is the opportunity for fear or for faith.

His disciples keep being captured by their fears. This storm is just too much for God. Jesus doesn't even seem to care. He's snoozing away without a care. What is wrong with Him?! Jesus, when roused, responds to his disciples' fears with, "Why are you timid? Don't you have faith?" and he stretches out his hands and calms the seas and winds.

Jesus tosses out the 2,000 demons, enlisting the jubilant, cleansed man not to follow Him but to go tell others what had happened (while those who had seen it want Jesus out of their life). He is free, while the observers continue to be bound as they reject the Source of freedom.

Jesus goes to the house of the dying daughter, but on the way gets waylaid by the touch of the bleeding woman who knows if she just touches the fabric connected to Jesus, she'll be healed. Jesus knows that the power has gone forth, and tells the quivering woman that her faith had healed her. No more fear.

But now poor Jairus, the daddy who had rushed to get Jesus to his dying daughter, get news that it's too late. Jesus just wasn't quick enough. Surely here is cause for worry, for bitterness (why did that lady touch Jesus and slow Him down), for pride (I am more important than others--I am a synagogue official)...for selfishness (I was here first). Right away Jesus turns to this man and comforts him, "Don't be afraid, just believe." And that, in a spiritual nutshell, is the antidote for worry. Battling fear and trying desperately to believe, Jairus goes with Jesus and watches him raise his little girl from the dead.

Jesus works on growing faith instead of fear with the disciples, sending them out two by two to preach repentance. "Take nothing," He says. You can picture the guys glancing at each other with wrinkled brows and wide eyes. "Nothing? That's terrifying. No food? I need to eat. In fact, I'm hungry right now. No extra clothes? I might get cold, or dirty, or what I have on may wear out. Where will I sleep? I've never gone very far from home before. Who's going to listen? What if they laugh? The people just laughed at Jesus for saying the little girl wasn't dead. I am not Jesus. I don't know what to say!" Jesus continues to grow their faith as they go out and come back to Him. He's waiting to hear and give them rest.

In the most terrifying times, or times where thoughts just don't stop rampaging--Don't worry or be afraid, just believe. Believe in Jesus.