Growing up, I was scared of many things, especially the future. I used to fear the uncertainties of my study, work, career and ministry. I was guilty of being a worrier and was good at it. I acquired the habit when, in my limited perception, I thought that the path that God has given to me looked unclear.

Jesus said, “Why are you so afraid? You surely don’t much have faith.” Then he got up and ordered the wind and the waves to calm down. And everything was calm. (Matthew 8:23-26 CEV)

Even Christians are not exempt from worrying. When it seems that everything is working in our favor, we are faithful and trust God. But when a time comes where life appears to be nothing but dead ends, we tend to forget his promises and begin to worry.

One of my favorite bible stories is the one where Jesus and his disciples crossed Lake Galilee and met a terrible storm. The disciples were frantic because of the tragedy that was about to happen to them. Jesus, on the other hand, was soundly asleep at the back of the boat. The disciples went over to him and woke him up, telling him to save them before they drown. Jesus, being woken from his slumber, replied to them, “Why are you so afraid? You surely don’t much have faith.” Then he got up and ordered the wind and the waves to calm down. And everything was calm. (Matthew 8:23-26 CEV)

That moment between Jesus and his disciples in the boat, amidst the storm, can be a great analogy for our Christian faith. Although we know that God is all-mighty and all-powerful, sometimes we are so preoccupied by the problems of our everyday lives that we tend to magnify our predicaments, making them appear scarier and bigger than God. When Jesus asked his disciples, “Why are you so afraid?” it’s a reminder to Christians to be hopeful, have faith and believe that he has promised to be with us always.

Worrying ultimately transforms into baggage that weighs us down. It’s unproductive and deprives us the opportunity to fully enjoy and appreciate the beauty of God’s creation around us. I am tired of worrying and most of us feel the same. Give your life to God, and release yourself of the burden.

"Why are you so afraid?

God’s ways are different than our expectations, but his time is always right. It may be difficult to understand his plans in our lives right now as well as the depth of his love, but eventually he unveils it in the exact moment we need it. Ask God for clarity of his plans in your life and trust his promises that he has something in store for us.

The next time life’s storms come rocking our boat and tempting us to worry, hold on, it’s only temporary. Pray, and believe that God will calm the storm.

Discussion Questions: What are ways you have learned to trust God and overcome worry?

See more devotions from Jeremiah and our other Young Adult writers, or find our how you can become a writer yourself, at our Young Adult devotions page.