Faith and Fear: How to Trust God When Life Feels Out of Control

He said to them, “Where is your faith?” And they were afraid . . . 

Luke 8:25

Dear Friends,

Is it a sin for a Christian to be afraid? As believers we are to walk by faith not by sight. Does this then mean that if we are living a life of faith we should never experience fear? 

Faith and Fear: A Question Many Christians Ask

I’ve wrestled with this question myself and have even felt some shame at times for feeling afraid. I wouldn’t consider myself a very courageous person. I overthink almost everything and often my fearful thoughts lead me to extreme caution, even in things that most people wouldn’t think twice about. I have realized that this particular extreme is likely borne out of a mixture of personality and past experience. But at its core, fear can also be a sign of misplaced trust or a lack of faith.

God-Given Emotions: What Fear Can Teach Us

Yet, I also know that emotions are a God-given gift that can serve as warnings about dangerous situations, and also reveal the deeper issues in our heart. We can’t always control our initial emotional responses. They rise up instinctively, triggered by circumstances and shaped by experience.

The problem occurs when we allow our initial emotion to hijack the rest of our thoughts, setting off a spiral of downward thinking that removes God from the picture. Over time I have learned the value of capturing my initial emotional thoughts and bringing them to the Lord so He can help me to sort out what is really true. 

A Stormy Lesson: What the Disciples’ Fear Reveals

Recently, I revisited the story in Luke where Jesus calms the storm. He and His disciples got into a boat and set out to cross the Sea of Galilee. During the voyage, Jesus fell asleep. As He slept the wind picked up and soon the waves began to violently rock the boat causing water to fill the vessel. The disciples panicked because of the very real danger and frantically woke Jesus to tell Him they were perishing. 

Jesus got up, rebuked the wind and the waves, and everything became calm. Then He asked them, “Where is your faith?”

In my first reading of the passage I concluded that Jesus was chiding them about their fear. But then I read the passage again more closely. I realized that Jesus did not mention their fear. He only pointed out their lack of faith. 

The emotion of fear the disciples felt when the waves were towering over them and water was filling the boat was natural. It may have been what prompted them to wake Jesus from sleep. 

The Real Issue: Fear vs. Lack of Faith

It seems that the real problem was not that they had a normal emotion, but that they did not really know Who was in the boat with them. Yet, despite their lack of faith in Who Jesus was, He still responded to their cries by rebuking the wind and raging waves. The water knew Who Jesus was and immediately obeyed His command by settling into a perfect calm. 

While the disciples’ hearts still beat hard Jesus asked them, “Where is your faith?” And from this question and experience, another type of fear rose from within – a fear of respect and awe. They marveled and asked each other, “Who is this, that He commands even winds and water and they obey Him?”

Throughout Scripture, we’re told, “Do not fear.” But I don’t believe this means we should suppress every feeling of fear in moments of danger. God created our nervous systems to react quickly through what we call the “fight or flight” response. That reflex can save our lives.

What I do believe is this: God doesn’t want fear to take the lead. He doesn’t want us to spiral into hopelessness, as if He’s absent. When He tells us not to fear, He follows it up with a promise—“I am with you.”

One powerful reminder is found in Isaiah 41:10: “Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.”

Taking Every Thought Captive: A Path to Peace

When we know Who is in the boat with us, we can quickly bring our initial emotion into a place of peace and trust. We can take every thought captive and make it obedient to Christ (2 Corinthians 10:5).

Faith is what pleases God. As Hebrews 11:6 says, 

“And without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is and that He is a rewarder of those who seek Him.”

So what better way to express our faith than by facing our fears with the confidence that God is with us and can handle anything?

Face Your Fears with Faith: A Personal Challenge

After studying this story, I made a list of the things that cause me fear. I then brought each one before God, asking Him to help me see them through eyes of faith. That simple act changed my perspective.

Maybe, this exercise would benefit you too! 

Like the disciples, you might feel overwhelmed by the waves crashing around you. But unlike them, choose to recognize Who is in your boat. Give Him your fears and anxieties. Trust in the One who has power over every storm. Don’t panic—pray. And let His peace calm your heart even when the wind still howls.

So, is it a sin for a Christian to feel afraid?
Yes—and no.

Fear itself is not a sin. It’s a natural human emotion. But if we let it take control and remove God from the picture, we veer into unbelief. Instead, bring your fears to Jesus. Let Him calm the storm within you.

That is the kind of faith that pleases God.

Love,

Mama

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