What to Do When You Feel Afraid
Last Updated on April 9, 2025 by Stacy Averette
“But soon a fierce storm came up. High waves were breaking into the boat, and it began to fill with water. Jesus was sleeping at the back of the boat with his head on a cushion. The disciples woke him up, shouting, “Teacher, don’t you care that we’re going to drown?” Mark 4:37-38
They did what they had to do, what any of us would’ve done in the same situation. They didn’t hesitate to wake the weary God-man resting comfortably on a pillow in the back of the boat, shouting over the noise like their life depended on it.
Jesus woke up, stood up, and, with a word, calmed the storm.
Then He asked them two questions:
- Why are you so afraid?
- How is it that you have no faith?
Jesus wasn’t condemning their reaction to a violent storm and fear of drowning. He wasn’t grumpy because they interrupted his nap. He wasn’t even mad that they shouted at him.
Here’s my takeaway from this passage. Fear is a part of life. What matters is how we respond when we feel afraid. Keep reading to learn what Jesus wanted the disciples and us to do when we feel afraid.
3 Truths to Lean on When You Feel Afraid
Do You Know Where Jesus Is Right Now?
Truth #1: Jesus is at the right hand of the Father right now.
Do You Know Who Jesus is Right Now?
Truth #2: Jesus is the Resurrected and Ascended Son of God right now.
Do You Know What Jesus is Doing Right Now?
Truth #3: Jesus is reigning and interceding for you right now.
A New Perspective in the Storm
The resurrected and ascended Son of God is at the right hand of the Father, reigning and interceding for you.
So may I ask:
- Why are you so afraid?
- How is it that you have so little faith?
Jesus is not asleep in the back of the boat in the middle of your storm.
The resurrected and ascended Son of God is at the Father’s right hand, reigning and interceding for you.
- Why are you so afraid?
- How is it that you have so little faith?
Jesus is not asleep in the back of the boat in the middle of your storm.
Yes, I know I repeated myself. How you answer those two questions will reveal what you really think about God. What you think about God will determine how you feel, and how you feel will affect how you act/respond in life.
So what’s your storm?
- Financial concerns
- Health issues
- Job stress
- Family problems
- All of the above and more
Jesus is not asleep in the back of the boat in the middle of your storm.
He is the resurrected and ascended Jesus seated at the Father’s right hand, reigning and interceding for you.
Cry out to him. Shout if you feel you must. He understands. He wants you to trust Him, rely on His strength, and rest in His peace.
Don’t Make the Same Mistake the Disciples Made
Do you know their mistake?
Feeling fear in a violent storm? No.
Shouting at Jesus? No.
Poor planning? No.
The disciples’ mistake was thinking, “Jesus doesn’t care.” That’s what they shouted at Him. “Don’t you care that we’re going to drown?”
I doubt we’ve said it out loud, but the thought has crossed our minds. “I’ve prayed, but . . . “
- He hasn’t answered.
- The answer wasn’t what I’d hoped.
- I can’t see a way out.
- Things have gotten worse instead of better.
- Does He even hear my prayer?
- Does He care what I’m going through?
- I don’t know how much longer I can hold on.
- I guess this is as good as it gets.
It’s Okay to Feel Afraid
Yep, you read that correctly. God created us with a wide range of emotions, and fear is one of them. Feeling afraid can prevent you from doing something stupid and unreasonable. You have a brain, and God intends you to use it.
But what about the fear you feel when circumstances are beyond your control, like the disciples in a boat in a violent storm? While fear was a normal emotion under the circumstances, they assumed (based on what they could see with their eyes) that Jesus was unaware and unconcerned.
Jesus didn’t rebuke the normal human emotion of fear in a violent storm. However, he questioned what they did and why after they felt afraid. He’s asking you, too, because He wants you to know there’s an option when you’re scared.
He used the real-life experience of the shepherd boy turned King to show us our options.
“When I am afraid, I will trust in you” (Psalm 56:3)
Fear and faith. Faith and fear. We can react fearfully or respond in faith. The choice is yours.
You can feel afraid without letting fear control you.
Faith is a conscious choice to act on what God says is true.
Let fear be a reminder to have faith that the resurrected and ascended Jesus is at the right hand of the Father, reigning and interceding for you.
Jesus is wide awake. He sees what you’re facing. He knew it was coming before you did! He created you, so He is not surprised when you feel overwhelmed, afraid, and anxious. He wants you to remember He is with you. Your circumstances and fear are an invitation to cry out to him in faith, to push aside the lie that He doesn’t care. To believe before you see.
How to Apply Biblical Truth in a Practical Way
“Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind.” Romans 12:2
The pathway to transformation is learning to think biblically and practicing it over and over and over again. The most practical way I know and the simple method I use daily is this:
- Write a verse or biblical principle on a notecard or sticky note, or save it on your phone.
- Keep it where you can read it often.
- Read it often.
- Read it until the biblical truth becomes your default way of thinking.
Start with this Truth:
The resurrected and ascended Jesus is at the Father’s right hand, reigning and interceding for me.
This is the way to transformation. This is the way to abundant living in every season and circumstance.
Please don’t wait until you have your devotional time, are in your prayer closet, or go to church to cry out to God and express your faith in Him. Please don’t wait until you “feel like” it. Tell it to Jesus now!
You might be:
- driving your car
- caring for a patient
- in a room full of students
- nursing a fussy infant
- folding laundry
- watching TV
But Jesus is at the Father’s right hand, ready and waiting for you.
Pray this simple prayer when you feel that old, familiar feeling of fear. And yes, all you have to do is think the prayer-thought and Jesus hears.
“Help me trust in you.”
When you’re able, pull out your note and remind yourself:
The resurrected and ascended Jesus is at the Father’s right hand,
reigning and interceding for me.
There will always be storms in life (John 16:33) and sometimes our friend, Jesus, quiets the storms around us.
But what He really wants to do is quiet the storm within us.
Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.
John 14:27
