02_What_Fears_We_Hold.pdf

Jun 19, 2025

Devotional

Day 1: Resting in God When the Storm Rages

True rest is not found in the absence of trouble, but in the choice to trust God’s presence amid chaos. Life’s storms—whether they are external circumstances or internal anxieties—can easily unsettle our hearts and minds. Yet, rest is not a passive state; it is an intentional act of faith. When we choose to rest in God, we acknowledge that our striving and worry cannot control the outcome, but God’s sovereignty remains unshaken.
You are invited to lay down your anxieties and sit in the presence of the One who holds all things together. Even when the winds howl and the waves threaten, God’s nearness is your anchor. Resting in Him is not denial of reality, but a declaration that He is greater than any storm you face.

“He made the storm be still, and the waves of the sea were hushed. Then they were glad that the waters were quiet, and he brought them to their desired haven.” (Psalm 107:29-30, ESV)

Reflection: What is one specific worry or storm you are facing today? How can you intentionally choose to rest in God’s presence instead of letting anxiety take over?

Day 2: Letting Awe of God Dwarf Every Other Fear

The fears that grip our hearts often come from the chaos and uncertainty of life. Yet, Scripture calls us to a different kind of fear—a holy awe and wonder at the power and mercy of God. When the fear of the Lord becomes the greatest awe in our lives, it puts every other fear in its proper place.
This awe is not about being terrified of God, but about recognizing His majesty and authority above all else. As you let your heart be captured by who God is, the threats and anxieties of this world lose their power to control you. Peace comes not from the absence of danger, but from the presence of a God who is far greater than anything you might face.

“Let all the earth fear the Lord; let all the inhabitants of the world stand in awe of him! For he spoke, and it came to be; he commanded, and it stood firm.” (Psalm 33:8-9, ESV)

Reflection: What is one fear or anxiety that has been taking up too much space in your heart? How might focusing on God’s greatness help you see this fear differently today?

Day 3: Living Faith That Moves Beyond Agreement

Faith is more than simply agreeing with truths about God; it is a deep, lived-out trust in His promises and character. When Jesus asked, “Where is your faith?” He was inviting His followers to move from head knowledge to wholehearted conviction.
This kind of faith is tested in the storms of life. It means submitting your fears and doubts to the reality of God’s faithfulness, even when you cannot see the outcome. Faith that endures is not just a belief, but a daily choice to trust God’s word and rest in His care, no matter what comes.

“Blessed is the man who trusts in the Lord, whose trust is the Lord. He is like a tree planted by water, that sends out its roots by the stream, and does not fear when heat comes, for its leaves remain green, and is not anxious in the year of drought, for it does not cease to bear fruit.” (Jeremiah 17:7-8, ESV)

Reflection: In what area of your life do you find it hardest to move from knowing about God’s promises to actually trusting them? What is one step you can take today to act on that trust?

Day 4: Stillness as Courageous Surrender

Stillness before God is not passive resignation, but a courageous act of surrender. To “be still and know that I am God” is to cease striving, let go of control, and trust that God is at work even when you cannot see it.
This stillness is a declaration that God’s authority is greater than your own efforts or anxieties. It is an act of faith to stop accusing, stop manipulating, and simply rest in His presence. In the quiet, you discover that God is more than able to bring order and peace, even in the midst of uncertainty.

“In returning and rest you shall be saved; in quietness and in trust shall be your strength. But you were unwilling.” (Isaiah 30:15, ESV)

Reflection: Where do you find yourself striving or trying to control outcomes in your life? What would it look like to practice stillness and surrender to God in that area today?

Day 5: Setting an Example of Trust in the Storm

How you respond to life’s storms is not just about you—it sets an example for those around you. When you choose to rest in faith rather than pace in anxiety, you show others what it means to trust God in the unknown.
Your courage and trust can point others to Jesus, not by elevating yourself, but by demonstrating what it looks like to follow Him with full conviction. Even in uncertainty, your life can be a testimony to God’s presence and faithfulness, inviting others to find hope and rest in Him as well.

“Only let your manner of life be worthy of the gospel of Christ, so that whether I come and see you or am absent, I may hear of you that you are standing firm in one spirit, with one mind striving side by side for the faith of the gospel.” (Philippians 1:27, ESV)

Reflection: Who in your life is watching how you respond to challenges? How can you intentionally set an example of trust and faith in God for them today?

Sermon Summary

of the Sermon:**

Today’s sermon, “What Fears We Hold: Awe & Wonder,” explored how we respond to the storms of life—both literal and metaphorical. Using the imagery of a favorite chair and the story of Jesus calming the storm, we considered our tendency to let fear and anxiety disrupt our rest and trust in God. The message challenged us to examine where our awe truly lies: in the chaos of the world, or in the power and presence of God. Drawing from Psalm 46 and the Gospel accounts, we were invited to move from striving and accusation to stillness and faith, learning to rest in God’s sovereignty even when circumstances are uncertain or threatening. Ultimately, the call was to cultivate a faith that is fully convinced of God’s promises, to be still in His presence, and to set an example of trust and courage for others.

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Key Takeaways

1. Rest Is a Choice in the Midst of Chaos: True rest is not the absence of storms, but the decision to remain still and trust in God’s presence even as the winds rage. Our anxiety does not dispel the storm; it only creates new turmoil within us. Choosing to rest in God is an act of faith that acknowledges His sovereignty over every circumstance, both real and imagined.
2. The Fear of the Lord Reorders Our Other Fears: The storms of life—external dangers, internal anxieties, unmet expectations—can easily become the focus of our awe and fear. Yet, Scripture calls us to let the fear of the Lord, a posture of awe and wonder at His power and mercy, be greater than our fear of what may come. This reordering of fear leads us to peace, even when the world is in turmoil.
3. Faith Is More Than Mental Agreement: When Jesus asked, “Where is your faith?” He was not questioning the disciples’ knowledge, but their full conviction and trust in Him. Faith that endures storms is rooted in a deep, lived-out confidence in God’s promises and character. It is a faith that submits our earthly fears to the greater reality of God’s faithfulness and power.
4. Stillness Is an Act of Courage and Submission: “Be still and know that I am God” is not a passive suggestion, but a courageous act of surrender in the face of chaos. It means ceasing our striving, accusations, and attempts to control, and instead submitting to God’s authority. This stillness is a testimony to our trust in God’s ability to bring calm and order, even when we cannot see the outcome.
5. Our Example in the Storms Matters: How we respond to life’s storms sets an example for others—whether we are found pacing in anxiety or resting in faith. We are called to follow Jesus through the unknown, to rest as He rests, and to trust as He trusts. In doing so, we invite others not to elevate us, but to see what it means to follow Christ with full conviction, pointing always to His glory and presence, even to the end of the age.

Bible Study Guide

**Bible Study Discussion Guide: "What Fears We Hold: Awe & Wonder"**

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### Bible Reading

- **Psalm 46:1-11**
- **Luke 8:22-25**
- **Romans 4:20-21**

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### Observation Questions

In Psalm 46, what images are used to describe both the chaos of the world and God’s protection?
According to Luke 8:22-25, what was Jesus doing during the storm, and how did the disciples react?
In Romans 4:20-21, how is Abraham’s faith described?
From the sermon, what are some examples of “storms” that people face, both externally and internally?

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### Interpretation Questions

Why do you think the disciples, some of whom were experienced fishermen, were so afraid during the storm even though Jesus was with them?
The sermon says, “Rest is a choice in the midst of chaos.” What does it mean to choose rest when everything around you feels out of control?
The phrase “fear of the Lord” is used in the sermon and in Scripture. How is this kind of fear different from the fear the disciples felt in the boat?
When Jesus asks, “Where is your faith?” what is He really challenging in the hearts of His followers?

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### Application Questions

Think about a recent “storm” in your life—maybe a stressful situation, a conflict, or a time of uncertainty. How did you respond? Did you find yourself pacing in anxiety or able to rest in God’s presence? What would it look like to choose rest next time?
The sermon talks about letting the “fear of the Lord” reorder our other fears. Is there a specific fear or anxiety in your life right now that tends to take over your thoughts? What would it look like to submit that fear to God’s authority this week?
“Be still and know that I am God” is described as an act of courage and surrender. What is one area of your life where you are still striving or trying to control the outcome? How could you practice stillness and surrender in that area?
The disciples accused Jesus of not caring during the storm. Have you ever felt like God was distant or uncaring in a hard season? How did you process those feelings, and what helped you move forward in faith?
The sermon says our example in the storms matters for others watching us. Who in your life might be watching how you handle stress or difficulty? How could your response point them toward Jesus?
Abraham was “fully convinced” that God would keep His promises. Is there a promise of God that you struggle to believe right now? What would help you grow in full conviction?
The message challenges us to move from striving and accusation to stillness and faith. What is one practical step you can take this week to stop striving and rest in God’s sovereignty, even if your circumstances don’t change?

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Sermon Quotes

Your anxiety and fear don’t make the storm disappear; they only create a new storm—a different type of storm—in your mind and heart. You stop pacing, stop striving, and choose to be still; to sit in your favorite, comfy chair. You choose rest in the midst of the storm.

Some storms are external, while others exist only in our minds full of strife, accusations, worry, and unmet expectations. Regardless of the type of storm, we are called to rest in the fear of the Lord, cradled in His mighty hands.

None of the wars, the fighting, the discontent and division, the moral corruption, the petty and great storms are beyond the scope, power, and authority of God. Peace will reign—either in our hearts now or upon His return.

It’s not hard to follow Jesus when He takes us into familiar territory. It’s a lot harder when the unexpected hits us, unseen storms arise, and our lives and livelihood are threatened.

The disciples had the courage to follow Jesus onto the sea, but not the courage to follow Jesus’ rest in the midst of the storm. Their fear led to disrupting rest, accusation, and proved their awe was misplaced in the wind rather than in Jesus’ powerful presence.

Don’t let your rest be interrupted by worldly fears, but let your fear of the Lord lead you to rest. Will you have the courage to rest through the storm?

The storms may whip the waves into chaos and rage, but Jesus calls us to rest, to be still and silent. The winds and the waves are calmed at His rebuke and commands. Are you?

Faith is full conviction of God’s ability to do what He has promised; that He has already done what He promised through Jesus Christ. Full conviction entails confidence, devotion, awe and wonder, submission, allegiance, and trust in the power of God to save us.

How easy it is to rage against the storms everyone else’s sin stirs up, while conveniently ignoring our own lack of faith in God’s promises, provision, and protection.

Jesus calls us to rest as He rests, to go as He goes, to follow where He leads, to do as He does, to love as He loves, to be His hands and feet.

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