Steady Peace in the Storm of Life

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I’m not a doctor, a therapist, or a medical expert - and this isn’t a guide meant to replace help you may need. I’m a mom who knows what it feels like for anxiety to tighten its grip in the middle of ordinary days. What I can do is look to our Wonderful Counselor for answers. This is an invitation to recognize our fear for what it is, and then fix our eyes on Him who meets us on the water. May we be transformed from glory to glory in Christ, Jesus. Amen.

“[22] Immediately he made the disciples get into the boat and go before him to the other side, while he dismissed the crowds. [23] And after he had dismissed the crowds, he went up on the mountain by himself to pray. When evening came, he was there alone, [24] but the boat by this time was a long way from the land, beaten by the waves, for the wind was against them. [25] And in the fourth watch of the night he came to them, walking on the sea. [26] But when the disciples saw him walking on the sea, they were terrified, and said, “It is a ghost!” and they cried out in fear. [27] But immediately Jesus spoke to them, saying, “Take heart; it is I. Do not be afraid.” [28] And Peter answered him, “Lord, if it is you, command me to come to you on the water.” [29] He said, “Come.” So, Peter got out of the boat and walked on the water and came to Jesus. [30] But when he saw the wind, he was afraid, and beginning to sink he cried out, “Lord, save me.” [31] Jesus immediately reached out his hand and took hold of him, saying to him, “O you of little faith, why did you doubt?” 

What I love most about this passage is how Jesus’ supernatural power over creation is put on display once again. After miraculously multiplying five loaves and two fish to feed more than five thousand hungry people, He reveals His authority in an even more striking way by walking on the water. It’s in this moment the disciples are overcome with fear and Jesus calms them by making Himself known. With childlike faith, Peter sets his heart on being near to Jesus, saying, “If it’s you, command me to come to you on the water.” Peter believes Jesus will keep him above the water by His word. 

Peter jumps out of the boat at God’s welcoming command and walks on the water toward Jesus. But in an instant, Peter becomes fearful. While his doubt is completely rational, Jesus points out that his faith is small. Today, I want you to consider what Jesus affirms to Peter and His disciples in the midst of fear: “Take heart; it is I. Do not be afraid.”

Roughly one in four women aged 20–40 meet the criteria for having an anxiety disorder in a given year, according to the National Institute of Mental Health. Biblically, anxiety is a universal human experience, touching every person to varying degrees. So, the good news is, you’re not alone—no one is immune to anxiety. Peter is facing drowning, and Jesus’ response to his high degree of fear is a call for more faith. Whether you have little worries that creep in throughout the day or full-blown anxiety attacks, the call from our Lord is the same: “Do not be afraid.”

Thankfully, Jesus doesn’t stay silent when it comes to fear. But telling someone to stop it altogether feels radical, doesn’t it? It reminds me of the times I say to my child, “Stop crying,” when high-pitched screams break out and tears run down Caelan’s face over a teaspoon of mashed sweet potatoes—as if we’re forcing him to eat liver and onions. I can speak for the whole family: we all want him to compose himself and swallow what’s left on his tongue.

Did you know Jesus personally speaks “fear not” (in variations like “do not be afraid” and “do not fear”) over His followers about twenty times in the New Testament? This is spoken most often in moments of danger, calling, and revelation. I left out the number of times angels say it, since people are crippled in fear by their presence. I laugh thinking about the angels saying it—they know it’s the first thing they have to say before anyone even start listening. They’re everywhere, so from their perspective, I imagine it’s like, “If they only knew! I’ve been here for days!”

God repeatedly speaks against fear—to individuals, nations, parents, prophets, and disciples—at every stage of redemptive history. Depending on the translation, the phrase appears between 45–50 times in the Old Testament. The neat thing is that God almost always pairs the command with His presence or a promise: “Fear not, Abram, I am your shield” (Genesis 15:1). “Fear not, for I am with you” (Isaiah 41:10). “Fear not…you are mine” (Isaiah 43:1).

Why do we tend to live lives marked by unease and fear? And what is the root of anxiety? I’ve noticed a few things personally when I’ve been in that state of mind: it usually involves a fear of a future threat or an unknown outcome. However, in reading various passages of the Bible, I see there’s a heart-set pattern that runs deeper than just a feeling of lacking control over real or imagined future upheavals. It’s a matter of not feeling safe or secure.

In Matthew 6, when Jesus says, “Do not be anxious about your life,” there is a call from God not to worry about provision for simple, everyday things like clothing to wear or food to eat. God knows you need them, and He loves you more than the birds and the flowers. Will He not provide for His children? Yet we still struggle inwardly, even knowing that He loves us.

Certainly, God created us to have a sense of fear to instinctively alert us to danger and help preserve our bodies and minds, right? We’re so accustomed to protecting ourselves. Still, in light of Scripture, we find God repeating to those He loves: fear not. If the root of anxiety is not feeling safe or secure, physically or spiritually, what role do both play in the Bible? John the Baptist, the “greatest among those born of women,” according to Jesus, is beheaded, and his head is served on a platter.

Jesus is clear about what it means to follow Him, He tells His disciples in Matthew 16:24–26, “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will find it. For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world and forfeits his soul?” “Take up his cross” paints a vivid picture of what following Jesus may entail—even a violent, physical death like crucifixion. Peter himself is ultimately crucified.

Let’s consider what Jesus says about fear in Matthew10:28–31: “[28] And do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather fear him who can destroy both soul and body in hell. [29] Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? And not one of them will fall to the ground apart from your Father. [30] But even the hairs of your head are all numbered. [31] Fear not, therefore; you are of more value than many sparrows.”

God points out that the only thing persecutors can harm is our bodies. It also clarifies who we are to fear: God, the One who can destroy both body and soul in hell. As believers in Christ, we know we are safe from hell.  Unbelievers do not have this safety, and it serves as a warning of coming wrath to those who do not fear God.

We recognize ourselves in Peter, overwhelmed by what he sees and feels around him. In our own storms, our faith can feel just as fragile. Remember what Jesus says to His disciples: “Take heart; it is I. Do not be afraid.”

Safe

As I read this comforting affirmation Jesus gives to His disciples, my mind fills with truths
about who God is: It is I. I am safe. Safe is who I am. I’m your only safe place, your Refuge. Do not doubt who I am; my perfect love casts out all fear. I have overcome the world. I have died and risen again to ensure your safety. You belong to me—I made you, and I love you. Nothing will change my love for you. My love is free, not something you can earn. I am righteous; therefore, you are righteous. Instead of promising to remove all danger from your life, I promise to be present in the danger so you and others will know that you are mine and I am God. You are called to a higher purpose, something you can’t see, but believe in and hope for. I dwell in you through the Holy Spirit so that you able to set your mind on the things above—on who I am and my Kingdom: “[8] Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things. [9] What you have learned and received and heard and seen in me—practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you” (Philippians 4:8–9).

True peace in every circumstance comes by trusting in the character of God, the One who plans to resurrect you, and knowing – being convinced in your conscience - you are safe in
Him. Peter is so convinced that death is not the end and that Jesus is the door to heaven, he asks to be crucified upside down in humble devotion to his Lord (he did not consider himself worthy to die in the same manner as Jesus).

Faith is a gift from God that causes us to believe we are safe in Jesus while living in this dangerous world. God is with us in the dark valleys of life, and the psalmist knows it: “[4] Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me” (Psalm23:4).

So, let’s get practical here and go back to Peter jumping out of the boat. He is confident in knowing who his Savior is, looking to his Lord as He tells him, “Come.” Peter walks on water until he trades his confidence in who God is—his refuge and safety—for the immediate trial he’s facing: the wind and the waves. And he sinks. Consider what Peter is thinking as he looks away from Jesus: I’m not safe!

But he is. Jesus says to Peter, “O you of little faith, why did you doubt?” In other words, why did you doubt who I am to you? “In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world” (John 16:33).

Ask yourself the next time you’re riddled with anxiety, am I looking at the wind and the waves, or above them to the One who has control over them? Am I trusting in the One who made the earth and the universe by speaking, parted the Red Sea so His people could walk through, fully healed the sick, fed thousands, lived a perfect, sinless life, raised the dead, died, and rose again to have victory over death? None of these things are bound by the limits of the natural world or human reason; they are supernatural works carried out by God, the Supreme Being.

The names of God declare His character as our eternal protector and shelter: Jesus is our
Refuge, Fortress, Strong Tower, Shield, Rock, Hiding Place, Shepherd, Keeper, Dwelling Place, the Prince of Peace, Savior, and my favorite, Immanuel—God with us.

Is victory over anxiety possible in Christ? Yes! “No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it” (1Corinthians 10:13). In Christ, we are not slaves to sin – we are free indeed! Believing this matters.

Remember when the Pharisees brought an adulterous woman to Jesus in John 8:7–11? “[7] And as they continued to ask him, he stood up and said to them, “Let him who is without sin among you be the first to throw a stone at her.” [8] And once more he bent down and wrote on the ground. [9] But when they heard it, they went away one by one, beginning with the older ones, and Jesus was left alone with the woman standing before him. [10] Jesus stood up and said to her, “Woman, where are they? Has no one condemned you?”[11] She said, “No one, Lord.” And Jesus said, “Neither do I condemn you; go, and from now on sin no more.”

Obedience flows from mercy, not fear. Instead of condemning her, Jesus responds with patience, forgiveness, and love, and invites her to live differently, His is calling her to leave her life of sin.

My husband says no one should walk into spiritual battles without training—and honestly, he’s right because God is right. God tells us to suit up in the full armor of God—helmet, belt and all! So, let’s not wait until we’re riddled with anxiety and then try to deal with it in the moment each time. If we want to experience fewer bouts or waves of worry, I believe God leads us to the best answer in Matthew 6:33: “[33] But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.”

The priority—what comes first before everything else—for every believer is to seek the Kingdom of Heaven (salvation) and His righteousness (knowing the character of God). We know the way to do that is to be immersed in the Word. It’s the lamp to our feet. Mark 12:30–31 sums it up for us: “[30] And you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.’ [31].”

The more you and I let the Word dwell in our hearts, the more we know and believe truths about spiritual life and God. “[2] Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect” (Romans 12:2).

I like to carry in my heart the healing stories of Jesus—how He heals thousands instantly and completely, with no recovery or therapy needed after His miracles. In many of these moments, He gently reminds them, “Your faith has healed you.” Like the woman in Matthew 9:20, suffering from bleeding for twelve years, she trusts that even touching the fringe of Jesus’ garment will bring her healing. Or the leper saying, “If you are willing, you can make me clean” (Matthew 8:2). The leper knows Jesus can do it if He desires to but trusts in God’s will if He decides not to heal him. These stories calm my heart and shape my prayers. They also put my little worries into perspective—reminding me that the things I stress over aren’t nearly as big as they feel in the moment.

For the one in four women out there who experience anxiety to the degree of having a disorder—I’m no doctor, but I’m a friend to many who have real struggles in this area. I usually pray for each friend separately, but in preparation for this study, my prayer is more collective. I realize many of my friends have something in common: an earthly dad who is either spiritually unwell (caught up in sin that alters daily life together as a family) or physically unwell. In my close circle, there’s also the shared experience of losing their dad early. The lack of a father’s guidance and protection is no small thing. I can only imagine that growing up without a father leaves a quiet ache that’s difficult to put into words.

A father is an earthly covering for His children, and when a dad isn’t emotionally or physically available, I imagine it’s hard to know what it feels like to be safe and secure—as a child and even into adulthood. But we know our heavenly Father is perfect, and He says, “Take heart; it is I. Do not be afraid.”

Secure

I’m not a perfect mom, and Chris is not a perfect dad, and we’re certainly not guaranteed tomorrow. We love our children and try to give them the attention they need so they know they're loved. We’re meant to be an earthly shade, pouring into them the truths of God. But God’s holy perfection as a Father is unmatched by any parent, especially when it comes to finding true security.

All believers are adopted as God’s children and come to know Him as “Abba, Father” - a dad Who is perfect, safe and secure. Whether your earthly dad is/was a safe place or not, Christ points us to Himself—without doubt, He is our refuge, our safe place. He is present emotionally and invites His children to cast all anxieties on Him: “[6] Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time he may exalt you, [7]
casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you" (1 Peter 5:6–7).

And He doesn’t leave us alone in our weakness, He meets us there: “[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”(Isaiah 41:10). When Peter starts sinking in the water, he cries out, “Lord, save me!” And Jesus immediately reaches out His hand to Peter. God cares for Peter and He cares for you.

There’s no force we face, no trial we endure, no fear we carry, no danger we meet, and no loss we suffer that can separate us from His love: “[35] Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or danger, or sword? [36] As it is written, “For your sake we are being killed all the day long; we are regarded as sheep to be slaughtered.” [37] No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. [38] For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor
angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, [39] nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord” (Romans 8:35–39).

Jesus came to save, forgive, and heal those who recognize their spiritual sickness (sin), not those who think they are already righteous. Psalm 34:18 says, “[18] The LORD is near to the brokenhearted and saves the crushed in spirit. ”As children of God, we know there is “no peace for the wicked” (Isaiah 48:22). True peace is found in Jesus.

How does this peace manifest as we live our lives here on earth? Let’s start with seeking first His Kingdom. God is preparing us here for His Kingdom. And the truth is, our current perishable bodies aren’t fit for His eternal realm. Entering that realm requires resurrection: “[50] I tell you this, brothers: flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God, nor does the perishable inherit the imperishable. [51] Behold! I tell you a mystery. We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed, [52] in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised imperishable, and we shall be changed. [53] For this perishable body must put on the imperishable, and this mortal body must put on immortality. [54] When the perishable puts on the imperishable, and the mortal puts on immortality, then shall come to pass the saying that is written:

“Death is swallowed up in victory.”
[55] “O death, where is your victory?
O death, where is your sting?”

[56] The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law. [57] But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.” [58] Therefore, my beloved brothers, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that in the Lord your labor is not in vain” (1 Corinthians 15:50–58).

Knowing the character of God and the reality of eternity and resurrection, we don’t have to be anxious because we can recognize the things of this world are fading away: “[1] For we know that if the tent that is our earthly home is destroyed, we have a building from God, a house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens. [2] For in this tent we groan, longing to put on our heavenly dwelling, [3] if indeed by putting it on we may not be found naked. [4] For while we are still in this tent, we groan, being burdened—not that we would be unclothed, but that we would be further clothed, so that what is mortal may be swallowed up by life. [5] He who has prepared us for this very thing is God, who has given us the Spirit as a guarantee” (2 Corinthians 5:1-5). We have been given the Holy Spirit, also called the Helper, as a guarantee. A guarantee of what? Our security in Him.

The ministry of the Spirit is permanent – all throughout Scripture, we read the Holy Spirit is God’s “seal” on us. In the ancient world, a seal was made by pressing a signet into soft wax, marking a document as genuine, owned, and protected. The Bible uses this image to describe the work of the Holy Spirit, who seals believers - claiming us as God’s own and keeping us secure in Him. The seal of salvation is the Holy Spirit, a “down payment” of our eternal inheritance. We are sealed with the Spirit and live to do His will. “[14] For the love of Christ controls us, because we have concluded this: that one has died for all, therefore all have died; [15] and he died for all, that those who live might no longer live for themselves but for him who for their sake died and was raised” (2 Corinthians 4:8–1).

As we seek God, the Spirit changes us: “18] And we all, with unveiled face, beholding the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another. For this comes from the Lord who is the Spirit” (2 Corinthians 3:18).

We will face intense pressure and trials in this life, yet we are never overcome by them, because the life of Jesus lives within us: “[8] We are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not driven to despair; [9] persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed; [10] always carrying in the body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our bodies. [11] For we who live are always being given over to death for Jesus’ sake, so that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our mortal flesh” (2 Corinthians 4:8).

Summary

I know people love lists – like, “10 Ways to Squash Anxiety Forever.” I think it’ll be more helpful to point back to Jesus’ own words to His disciples: “Take heart; it is I. Do not be afraid.” And to Peter: “O you of little faith, why did you doubt?”

As mothers, our lives are crowded with endless distractions. By pursuing to know Christ and His Kingdom first and above all else, we surrender our lives to do His will, not our own. To “fear not” is to be convinced that our eternal safety and security is Christ alone. It is who He is. He is perfectly faithful, present, and deeply committed to caring for His children. It is to know that Jesus has sent His Helper, the Holy Spirit, as the seal of our salvation—our ever-present help in life’s storms and the Keeper of our lives, transforming us from glory to glory in preparation for eternity: “[16] So we do not lose heart. Though our outer self is wasting away, our inner self is being renewed day by day [17] For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison, [18] as we look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen. For the things that are seen are transient, but the things that are unseen are eternal” (2 Corinthians4:16–18).

Let’s close together in prayer by reading Psalm 121: “[1] I lift up my eyes to the hills. From where does my help come? [2] My help comes from the LORD, who made heaven and earth. [3] He will not let your foot be moved he who keeps you will not slumber. [4] Behold, he who keeps Israel will neither slumber nor sleep. [5] The LORD is your keeper; the LORD is your shade on your right hand. [6] The sun shall not strike you by day, nor the moon by night. [7] The LORD will keep you from all evil; he will keep your life. [8] The LORD will keep your going out and your coming in from this time forth and forevermore.” Amen.

P.S. Beware

A false Gospel or a misunderstanding of God’s character produces an unnecessary spirit of fear. No victory can be found in reliance on lies from Satan. A false Gospel is legalistic and/or loose in nature, both promoting a “works based” salvation, distorting the character and finished work of Jesus Christ. Just as it is written, let anyone who preaches this be cursed:“[6] I am astonished that you are so quickly deserting him who called you in the grace of Christ and are turning to a different gospel—[7] not that there is another one, but there are some who trouble you and want to distort the gospel of Christ. [8] But even if we or an angel from heaven should preach to you a gospel contrary to the one we preached to you, let him be accursed. [9] As we have said before, so now I say again: If anyone is preaching to you a gospel contrary to the one you received, let him be accursed” (Galatians 1:6–9). God makes it clear that the Spirit, not our own efforts, perfect us. Obsessing over rules (keeping the Law to earn God’s love) instead of relationship
breeds anxiety. Antinomianism (which means: against the law), on the other hand, is the belief that since we are under grace, God’s moral law no longer applies to us. Romans 6:1-2 warns against this loose outlook of careless living on the basis of God being full of grace and love - essentially, continuing in sin, taking advantage of God’s grace. Continuing in sin will certainly not bring any type of peace. Salvation has always come by grace through faith—there has never been another way.

“[1] O foolish Galatians! Who has bewitched you? It was before your eyes that Jesus Christ was publicly portrayed as crucified. [2] Let me ask you only this: Did you receive the Spirit by works of the law or by hearing with faith? [3] Are you so foolish? Having begun by the Spirit, are you now being perfected by the flesh? (Galatians 3:1–3). So “[7] Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you” (James 4:7).

Sources & References

Scripture quotations are from the ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved. The ESV text may not be quoted in any publication made available to the public by a Creative Commons license. The ESV may not be translated in whole or in part into any other language. 

Photo Credit:

Wavebreakmedia. “Anxious Woman Sat on Her Bed.” Getty Images, https://www.gettyimages.com

TrueCreatives. “Minimalist Photo of Rowboat on Calm Water.” Canva, https://www.canva.com.