When we look upon the wind and waves in our lives, we tend to take our eyes off the Lord. Even if it may be that we attend church and spend time in prayer, we may still feel afraid if our hearts are not postured toward Christ. The Pharisees did everything religiously correct at the time, by the letter of the law, yet the Lord said that “this people honors me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me” (Mark 7:6; cf. Isaiah 29:13).

Peter was called out into the sea, into the storm, by the Lord, and the moment he took his eyes off Christ, he began to sink, and the Lord caught him (Matthew 14:28 to 31). If we take our eyes off the Lord even for a moment, and even if we are with him in his presence, whether at church or physically with Christ himself, if we take our eyes off him and do not put the trust of our heart in him, then we will sink. For Scripture says that we are to live “the truth in love” (Ephesians 4:15). For Jesus then says, “I am the way and the truth and the life” (John 14:6), and Scripture says that “perfect love casts out all fear” and that “there is no fear in love” (1 John 4:18).

Jesus is perfect love, and only love and truth can exist where there is no fear. Love can still be chosen despite fear, but where fear rules, truth is obscured. That is not to say that when a situation causes fear, that situation is wrong, but rather the opposite. For in the Gospel, the disciples were in the perfect place by being in the presence of Christ, yet they still had fear because the wind and waves were shaking the boat, and they let fear overcome them in the trials and hardship they were facing. They cried out, “Lord, save us! We are perishing!” and the Lord calmly said, “Why are you terrified, O you of little faith?” Then the Lord rebuked the winds and the sea, and there was great calm (Matthew 8:23 to 27; cf. Mark 4:35 to 41; Luke 8:22 to 25).

For this story shows that when there is fear, we cannot run from our circumstances, but must hold fast to trust in the Lord, knowing that where there is love united by the Father, fear may cause trials of many kinds, but love will always prevail.

As Saint Augustine wrote, “Our heart is restless until it rests in you.” And as Saint Zélie Martin wrote, “Whenever a real misfortune happens, I am quite resigned, and I await with confidence the help of God.” These remind us that peace is not found in control, but in resting the heart in God and trusting him in the storm.

References

Augustine of Hippo. Confessions, Book I, Chapter 1

Martin, Zélie. Quoted in 8 Parenting Lessons from St. Thérèse’s Mom, Aleteia. (Aleteia)

The Holy Bible, New American Bible, Revised Edition, Confraternity of Christian Doctrine, Inc.

Isaiah 29:13

Matthew 8:23 to 27

Matthew 14:28 to 31

Mark 4:35 to 41

Mark 7:6

Luke 8:22 to 25

John 14:6

Ephesians 4:15

1 John 4:18