Tag Archive for: Matthew 14:27

Fear’s Not Getting Candy

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Matthew 14:27 — But Jesus spoke to them at once. “Don’t be afraid,” he said. “Take courage. I am here!

There’s something about a knock at the door this time of year, isn’t there?

The porch light comes on. Little footsteps make their way up the sidewalk. And when you open the door, there’s a tiny superhero, a princess, or maybe a dinosaur standing there with a bucket in hand, hoping you’ll drop in a little candy.

I mean, how sweet is that?

But you know what else comes knocking?

Fear.

And unfortunately, fear doesn’t limit its visits to October.

Sometimes it shows up as a phone call from the doctor’s office.

Sometimes it looks like bills piling up on the kitchen counter.

Sometimes it comes when your child is hurting, when a relationship falls apart, or when life takes a turn you never saw coming.

And unlike those little trick-or-treaters, fear doesn’t just want a piece of candy.

Fear wants to come inside, make itself comfortable, and convince you it’s there to stay.

And if we’re not careful, we can start living as though it belongs there.

I think sometimes, as Christians, we believe that if we have enough faith, we won’t be afraid.

But that’s just not true.

Fear is an emotion. And we’re human.

We all experience it.

The goal isn’t to pretend we’re never scared.

It’s learning that we can feel afraid without allowing fear to control how we live.

Fear may knock on your door, but it doesn’t have to move into your house.

I think about the disciples in Matthew 14.

They’re out on the water in the middle of the night. The wind is against them. The waves are tossing their boat around.

And then they see someone walking toward them on the water.

They’re terrified!

They think they’re seeing a ghost.

But listen to what Jesus says.

“Don’t be afraid. Take courage. I am here!”

I love that.

Jesus didn’t wait until they felt brave enough to recognize Him.

He didn’t tell them they were silly for being scared.

He spoke to them right in the middle of their fear.

And He reminded them of the one thing that mattered most.

I am here.

The wind was still blowing.

The waves were still moving.

But Jesus was there.

And sometimes, friend, that’s exactly what we need to remember.

God’s presence doesn’t mean we’ll never face something frightening.

It means we don’t have to face it alone.

Maybe there’s something knocking at the door of your heart today.

Something that’s been stealing your peace, keeping you awake at night, or making you afraid of what tomorrow might bring.

You don’t have to pretend it isn’t there.

You can acknowledge it. You can pray about it. You can ask for help.

But you don’t have to hand fear the keys to your life.

Because courage isn’t the absence of fear.

Courage is remembering Who is with you when fear shows up.

So the next time fear comes knocking, remember what Jesus said to those frightened disciples.

“Take courage. I am here!”

And maybe instead of letting fear settle in, you can remind yourself of something far more powerful.

The One who walks on water is walking with you.

Fear may come knocking. But Jesus is already home.

 

A MOMENT TO REFLECT

  • What fear has been knocking at the door of your life lately? Have you allowed it to take up more space than it deserves?
  • Have you ever felt guilty for being afraid becasue you thought having fun meant you shouldn’t experience fear?
  • How does it change your perspective to remember that Jesus spoke to the disciples while the wind and waves were still around them?
  • What practical step could you take today to keep fear from controlling your decisions?
  • Is there someone in your life who is facing something frightening and needs to be reminded that they are not alone?

QUESTION TO CARRY WITH YOU TODAY

What fear have I been giving room to that I need to surrender to Jesus today?

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Safe in God’s Strong Hands

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Matthew 14:27 — But Jesus spoke to them at once. “Don’t be afraid,” he said. “Take courage. I am here!”

When I was a little girl, I got to go to Yankee Stadium. My dad was taking us to watch the major league team in action, and I could hardly take it all in.

The city roared all around us. Taxis honked, people rushed past, and voices echoed off the tall buildings. I remember clutching my little purse so tightly.

Dad told me to wear it across my chest so no one could steal it. Then he reached down, wrapped his hand around mine, and led me toward the stadium. His hand was strong, steady, and sure.

We moved through a sea of people, but I never felt afraid.

Dad’s grip didn’t loosen, not even for a second. He watched every step ahead of us, making sure I stayed close. I remember the way he would tilt his head back just to check on me. There was no mistaking it—he was not letting go of his little girl.

That memory has stayed with me all these years later. It’s a snapshot I can still feel, because that is exactly how God is with us.

He holds our hand tightly with His right hand, drawing us close to His heart. He guides us when we cannot see where we’re going. He shields us when the world feels too loud and uncertain. His promises do not fade with time, and His hold does not weaken when the road gets crowded.

Sometimes, I still feel like that little girl in a world too big to handle. But when I slow down long enough to notice God’s hand holding mine, I realize I am still being led—and still being held.

And maybe that is what He’s been whispering all along: “Don’t be afraid, Take courage. I am here.”

Gratitude begins right there—in the middle of the chaos, with the steady reminder that we are not walking alone. His hand is still sure, His presence still near, and His heart still set on us.

And when you really see that, thankfulness becomes the most natural thing in the world.

 

A MOMENT TO REFLECT

  • When have you felt like the world was too big or overwhelming? How does the image of God holding your hand change that perspective?
  • What fears are you carrying today that need to be placed into God’s care?
  • How can you practice noticing God’s presence and guidance in everyday life, even amid chaos?
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