NorthStar Church Blog

Digging Deeper: Humbled to Serve

Kelly Skelton on June 30, 2025

John 13:3-5 (NLT)

HUMBLED TO SERVE

I can’t help but have a vivid picture in my mind as I read these Scriptures: a beautiful, long wooden table surrounded by prominent figures from the Bible—chatting, smiling, and enjoying what would forever be a sacred dinner. Then, Jesus stops. He pushes His seat away from the table and does something most leaders would hardly consider.

In that moment, Jesus flips the script on the world’s definition of leadership.

The disciples had witnessed His miracles, His wisdom, and His power—yet in the upper room, Jesus shocks them. He removes His outer garment, kneels, and begins to wash their feet. I imagine their feet—tattered, cut, scraped, and filthy from the dusty roads they had walked.

We know this wasn’t just any act of service. Foot washing was reserved for the lowest-ranking servant in the household. But here is Jesus—the King of kings—taking on that very role.

What makes this moment even more significant is that Jesus, knowing He was about to be betrayed and crucified, chose to spend His final moments not being served, but serving. His hands, which had healed the sick and raised the dead, were now washing the dirty, calloused feet of His friends.

When we reflect on who Jesus is, and see Him humbly take on the role of a servant, we’re left with a challenge:

What are we willing to lay down in order to serve others?
How can we carry this mindset into our workplace, our homes, and our communities?
What simple act can we offer today to reflect His love?

Prayer
Lord, as we begin this week, open our eyes to the needs around us. Show us where we can step in and serve. Teach us not to consider any act of kindness or humility beneath us. Help us to live like You—with a heart ready to kneel, to serve, and to love. Let us be Your hands and feet in a world that desperately needs Your touch.
Amen.

Kelly Skelton is a Georgia native, raised in the south on Jesus, Georgia football and sweet tea. She is her husbands’ biggest fan and her two daughters’ loudest cheerleaders. She recently published her first children’s book titled, But God Had a Plan. She stays active in the Dallas area as a photographer, videographer, writer, and middle school teacher.

Digging Deeper: I Am the Resurrection

Sellers Hickman on June 27, 2025

20 So when Martha heard that Jesus was coming, she went and met him, but Mary remained seated in the house. 21 Martha said to Jesus, “Lord, if you had been here, my brother would not have died. 22 But even now I know that whatever you ask from God, God will give you.” 23 Jesus said to her, “Your brother will rise again.” 24 Martha said to him, “I know that he will rise again in the resurrection on the last day.” 25 Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in me, though he die, yet shall he live, 26 and everyone who lives and believes in me shall never die. Do you believe this?” 27 She said to him, “Yes, Lord; I believe that you are the Christ, the Son of God, who is coming into the world.”

John 11:20-26 (ESV)

I AM THE RESURRECTION

Martha believed that Lazarus would rise again on the last day.
Her answer was theologically correct—Lazarus will rise when the Messiah returns.
But that’s not what Jesus was talking about in that moment.

He surprises her with something even more personal and profound:
Jesus doesn’t just bring resurrection—
He is the resurrection.

Not simply that a resurrection will one day happen, or that He has the power to perform one,
but that Jesus Himself is the resurrection and the life.

This changes everything.

Jesus isn’t pointing to an event.
He’s pointing to Himself.

Eternal life isn’t found in a future timeline—it’s found in a present relationship.
And this resurrection life isn’t just available for Lazarus.
Jesus reassures Martha that anyone who believes in Him will never die.

Now, we know that physical death is still a reality.
All around us, we see the evidence—war, sickness, aging.
Death feels inevitable.

But Jesus wasn’t speaking about the physical.
He was speaking about what matters most: the spiritual.

It reminds me of a story my student pastor once told.

At the time, he had a few young sons—probably around 3 to 5 years old.
One day, he offered them a choice:
“Do you want one piece of cake today, or a whole cake next week?”

Without hesitation, they took the slice.
Immediate pleasure won over a better reward later.

Jesus gives us a similar offer.
On this earth, will you settle for a small taste of temporary satisfaction,
or will you trust Him and receive the eternal feast of joy in the Kingdom of Heaven?

Will you choose the fleeting pleasures of now…
or the everlasting promises of forever?

This pattern runs all throughout Scripture.

Think about the Israelites in the wilderness.
God provided them manna from Heaven—daily bread, fresh each morning.
But instead of gratitude, they grumbled.

They longed for Egypt’s food: fish, cucumbers, melons, leeks, onions, and garlic (Numbers 11:5).
They begged to go back to slavery just to eat what they missed.
But ahead of them was something so much better:
a Promised Land flowing with milk and honey.

They could settle for cucumbers and onions…
or keep walking toward the feast God had prepared.

We face the same decision.

Jesus stands before us, asking the question from John 11:26:
“Do you believe this?”

Not:

“Do you believe in Heaven?”
“Do you believe Jesus was a good teacher?”

But:
Do you believe that He is the resurrection and the life?
That even when everything around you feels like death, brokenness, heartbreak, and loss—
He can still bring life?

Do you believe that trusting Him is better than anything you could gain on your own?

Sellers Hickman serves as College & Teaching Pastor at NorthStar Church and loves cheering on his Ole Miss Rebels. He and his wife, Hannah, live in Dallas, Ga. with their two daughters. He also serves as the chaplain for the KSU Men’s Basketball team.

Digging Deeper: He’s Alive!

Sellers Hickman on June 26, 2025

38 Then Jesus, deeply moved again, came to the tomb. It was a cave, and a stone lay against it. 39 Jesus said, “Take away the stone.” Martha, the sister of the dead man, said to him, “Lord, by this time there will be an odor, for he has been dead four days.” 40 Jesus said to her, “Did I not tell you that if you believed you would see the glory of God?” 41 So they took away the stone. And Jesus lifted up his eyes and said, “Father, I thank you that you have heard me. 42 I knew that you always hear me, but I said this on account of the people standing around, that they may believe that you sent me.” 43 When he had said these things, he cried out with a loud voice, “Lazarus, come out.” 44 The man who had died came out, his hands and feet bound with linen strips, and his face wrapped with a cloth. Jesus said to them, “Unbind him, and let him go.”

John 11:38-44 (ESV)

HE’S ALIVE!

There is power in words.

Some speeches have changed the course of history. Others are only a few words long, yet they change the course of a life:
“I do.”
“You’re fired.”
“It’s a boy.”

And in three short words, Jesus changed everything for a grieving crowd in Bethany:
“Lazarus, come out.”

When Jesus spoke those words, death obeyed.
A man who had been dead for four days walked out of his tomb, still wrapped in grave clothes.
It was a miracle—a moment of divine power breaking through into ordinary life.

But as stunning as it was, this wasn’t the main event.
This miracle wasn’t the finale.
It was a sign—a preview—pointing to something even greater.

Lazarus came back to life that day, but he would eventually die again.
His resurrection was temporary.
But Jesus’ resurrection? It was final. Eternal. Complete victory over death.

When Jesus rose from the grave, He didn’t come out wearing grave clothes.
He folded them and left them behind (John 20:7).
He didn’t just step out of death—He defeated it.

That’s why Jesus could cry out, “It is finished” (John 19:30).
The old way of life, the curse of sin, and death itself—finished.
From that moment on, nothing would ever be the same.

The voice that raised Lazarus—the same voice that spoke creation into existence—will one day call every believer out of the grave.
Lazarus is living proof:
Death doesn’t get the final word.

But this story isn’t just about Lazarus.

It’s about us.

Paul writes in Ephesians 2:1 that we were all “dead in our trespasses and sins.”
Not just “messed up” or “in need of improvement”—dead.

And yet, Jesus didn’t leave us in the tomb.
He called us out by name.

Even today, Jesus speaks life into places of spiritual death.
He still says, “Come out.”

And when we respond, we are raised to spiritual life.
Yes, we may still carry traces of the grave—habits, doubts, fears—but Jesus gently helps us remove those grave clothes.
He teaches us how to walk in freedom.

The resurrection of Lazarus is a stunning miracle.
But it’s also a promise:
Jesus is not finished with dead things.
He brings life—even still.

Digging Deeper: What Would Jesus Pray?

Sellers Hickman on June 25, 2025

Then Jesus, deeply moved again, came to the tomb. It was a cave, and a stone lay against it. Jesus said, “Take away the stone.” Martha, the sister of the dead man, said to him, “Lord, by this time there will be an odor, for he has been dead four days.” “Did I not tell you that if you believed you would see the glory of God?” So they took away the stone. And Jesus lifted up his eyes and said, “Father, I thank you that you have heard me. I knew that you always hear me, but I said this on account of the people standing around, that they may believe that you sent me.”

John 11:38-42 (ESV)

WHAT WOULD JESUS PRAY?

Sometimes we move too quickly.
We rush to solve a problem, give an answer, or offer a solution.
But in John 11, just before one of the seven miracles John records, Jesus does something unexpected:
He pauses. He prays.

Lazarus had been dead for four days. The tomb was sealed. Everyone was grieving.
Jesus had just wept. And now, He stands at the grave of His friend—fully prepared to bring him back to life.

But before He calls Lazarus out of the tomb, He lifts His eyes.

Jesus is about to demonstrate His divine power, but first, He acknowledges His divine relationship.
This isn’t a prayer where Jesus is seeking power He lacks—He already has it.
He prays because He lives in constant, unbroken communion with the Father.

Jesus also makes it clear that His prayer isn’t only for God—it’s also for the people around Him.
He wants them to see His ongoing, moment-by-moment dependence on the Father.
His public prayer becomes a visible invitation for others to believe.

And through that prayer, Jesus shows them (and us) that this isn’t some spiritual performance or magic trick.
Four days is a long time for a body in a sealed tomb.
Jesus doesn’t want people to simply witness a miracle—
He wants them to believe in the power of God.

That day, Jesus did the impossible—again.

But before the miracle came the prayer.

In the face of overwhelming need, do you pause to pray?
Do you lift your eyes before you lift your voice?
Or do you rush ahead, hoping God will meet you somewhere along the way?

We often act first and pray later.
But Jesus models something different: a pace of trust, not panic.
It might feel easier to be patient when a body has already been in the grave (after all, where’s it going?)…
But what about when your kids frustrate you, your boss is unkind, or a deadline looms?

How can you show the same dependence on God in those moments?

If you’re struggling to bring the impossible to God today, try coming to Him the way Jesus did:

Lift your eyes – Acknowledge who truly holds the power.
Thank Him – Even before you see any results.
Pray publicly when needed – Not to perform, but to point others to the Father.
Believe that He hears you – Even when you don’t yet see the grave open.

Sometimes we’re waiting on God to move.
But sometimes… He’s waiting for us to lift our eyes.

Take a moment today—right now—and walk through those prayer prompts.
Pause. Lift your eyes. He is listening.

Digging Deeper: The Shortest Verse in the Bible

Sellers Hickman on June 24, 2025

When Jesus saw her weeping, and the Jews who had come with her also weeping, he was deeply moved in his spirit and greatly troubled.

And he said, “Where have you laid him?” They said to him, “Lord, come and see.” Jesus wept.

John 11:33-35 (ESV)

THE SHORTEST VERSE IN THE BIBLE

During middle and high school, I attended a summer camp where the entire week revolved around teams earning points. There were several ways your team could climb the leaderboard—winning sports tournaments, recreational games, having the loudest cheers, and memorizing and reciting Scripture. (Scripture memory was worth the most points.)

Knowing how much Scripture memory helped our team, I was the guy who told everyone,
“Just memorize John 11:35. It’s only two words.”

That’s right.
“Jesus wept.”
The shortest verse in the Bible.

Eventually, the camp caught on. They realized how easy that verse was to memorize, so they updated the rules: you couldn’t just recite it—you had to explain why Jesus wept.

That question is powerful:
Why did Jesus cry?

Jesus knew exactly what was going to happen. He was about to raise Lazarus from the dead. He had already said that this illness would not have the final word.
Even though He knew the outcome, Jesus still stopped to cry.
Why?

Because Jesus was moved by the sorrow of the people He loved.
Mary, Martha, the surrounding community—grief was everywhere. And it touched Him deeply.
He didn’t just witness their pain—He shared in it.

This tells us something incredible about our Savior:
Jesus doesn’t just care about fixing our problems—He is present in our pain.
He doesn’t always rush to solve what’s broken. Sometimes, He simply pauses… and sits in the hurt with us.

When you reflect even deeper on this moment, it becomes even more stunning.
The God of the universe—the One who created galaxies, who knows how far the east is from the west, who counts every hair on your head—cried.

That is not what we expect from someone who is all-powerful and all-knowing.
But that is the heart of Christ. He doesn’t stand at a distance.
He steps into our mess.
He is not emotionally detached.
He is deeply moved by what we go through.

If Jesus cried, we can too.

Our culture often rushes us to move on from moments of grief. But Jesus gives us permission to stay in them for a while.
His tears validate our own.
More than that, they remind us that we are never alone in our sorrow.

When you face loss, heartbreak, or hardship, remember this:
Jesus weeps with those who weep.
He stays near to the brokenhearted (Psalm 34:18).

And the best part?
This moment isn’t the end of the story.

Jesus’ tears were real—but they weren’t final.
He raised Lazarus.
And one day, He’ll do the same for us.

Because of His resurrection, we look forward to the day when every tear will be wiped away for good. That is the promise of Revelation 21:4—
a promise that will become reality for each of us.

Until that day…
know that you are seen.
You are loved.
And in your sorrow,
you are not alone.

“He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more,
neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore,
for the former things have passed away.”
—Revelation 21:4

Digging Deeper: Hearing Before Seeing

Sellers Hickman on June 23, 2025

So when Martha heard that Jesus was coming, she went and met him, but Mary remained seated in the house.Martha said to Jesus, “Lord, if you had been here, my brother would not have died…

When she had said this, she went and called her sister Mary, saying in private, “The Teacher is here and is calling for you.” And when she heard it, she rose quickly and went to him. Now Jesus had not yet come into the village, but was still in the place where Martha had met him. When the Jews who were with her in the house, consoling her, saw Mary rise quickly and go out, they followed her, supposing that she was going to the tomb to weep there. Now when Mary came to where Jesus was and saw him, she fell at his feet, saying to him, “Lord, if you had been here, my brother would not have died.”

John 11:20-21; 28-32 (ESV)

PROCESSING GRIEF

Grief does strange things to people. It stirs up questions, old hurts, doubts, and anxiety. But perhaps the strangest thing about grief is that it touches everyone differently. In John 11, we see grief through the eyes of two sisters—Mary and Martha—and how Jesus met them in their pain.

When Jesus finally arrives in Bethany—four days after Lazarus’ death—each sister responds in her own unique way. Interestingly, their words to Jesus are nearly identical, but their posture and approach are not. In this, we discover a deeply encouraging truth: Jesus meets them both in their own way.

Martha hears that Jesus is near, and she cannot wait. She runs to Him. I can’t say for sure what her motives were. Is this the same Martha we met in Luke 10:38–42—the one frustrated that her sister wasn’t helping prepare the home for Jesus, focused more on service than presence? Or is she now running to Jesus full of faith, grounded in what she knows to be true of Him?

Whatever her motivation, she comes to Jesus with solid theological understanding. She says, “I know he will rise again in the resurrection at the last day.” (John 11:24) She believes in the future hope, but not necessarily in the possibility of a present miracle. Even with right belief, she still carries the weight of grief. Yet, she brings her pain and thoughts to Jesus and holds nothing back.

Mary, on the other hand, doesn’t run that day. She waits. Maybe she sat in the same spot she had occupied the last time she was with Jesus—at His feet, listening. Is her waiting a quiet act of faith, trusting the One who once met her in that very place? Or is her grief so heavy that she cannot move until Jesus calls for her?

When she finally comes, she falls at His feet and weeps. She doesn’t speak with theological insight; she simply brings her vulnerability and tears. And Jesus doesn’t respond with a sermon—He responds with His own tears.

The beauty of this story isn’t in determining which sister was “right” or “wrong.” Both loved Jesus deeply. Both believed in His power. Both grieved honestly. And both were deeply loved by Jesus.

But Jesus responds to each of them differently. To Martha, He gives truth to cling to: “I am the resurrection and the life.” To Mary, He offers His presence and emotion. He meets each according to her need.

When we grieve, some of us run to God with our questions. Others sit in silence, waiting for His presence. Jesus understands both. And He draws near to both.

When life hurts and God feels late, are you more like Martha or Mary?
Do you need to talk it out—or sit quietly in the pain?

Neither is right or wrong. What matters most is that you bring your grief to Jesus. He is ready to meet you—in whatever way you come.

He is for you. He sees you. He weeps with you.

Digging Deeper – Do You Recognize the Son of God?

Chris Boggess on June 20, 2025

And when they got into the boat, the wind ceased. ³³And those in the boat worshiped him, saying, “Truly you are the Son of God.”

Matthew 14:32-33

DO YOU RECOGNIZE THE SON OF GOD?

Have you ever been around someone regularly and never really known who they were? I mean, you would think that if you saw someone daily, you’d get a good understanding of who they are. But the truth is more complex than that. We see people through our own eyes, and how we see them is often more about who we are than who they are.

Take Coach Criddle from the Monday illustration. I always thought he was a jerk and, to be honest, not very smart. I saw him as cocky and bumbling at the same time. But as I was writing the Digging Deeper, I got a bit nostalgic and Googled the old coach. He passed away a little over a year ago, and I found his obituary. Let me list a few of the points it made:

He was a Marine Corps veteran and played football for WVU from 1962 to 1964.
He coached three different high schools to the state AAA title game and had undefeated seasons at two of those schools.
He coached future NFL players Robert Alexander, Carl Lee, Derek Christian, and Bimbo Coles.
He is a member of the West Virginia Coaches Association Hall of Fame.

The quote in the obituary that stood out was, “To say Homer Criddle was a success on the West Virginia high school football scene would be quite an understatement.”

He didn’t impress me when I had him as a teacher, but I never knew him in the place where he excelled.

In the passage we are examining, it strikes me that the disciples are suddenly awestruck by the presence of Jesus. If you’ve been reading the Gospel of Matthew up to this point, you’ve witnessed miracles and teachings that amazed everyone. And yet—they are just now realizing who He truly is? You can be around someone every day and still not fully understand who they are.

What about you? If you’re reading this, you’re likely someone who makes an effort to spend time with Jesus every day. But when was the last time you were just bowled over by who Jesus is? When was the last time you marveled at the life and death He endured on your behalf? When was the last time you truly grasped how incredibly fortunate you are that He loves you—not despite who He is, but despite who you are?

This week, we’ve seen that Jesus is more than enough to conquer your fears. We’ve seen that He has more for you than you could ever imagine. We’ve seen that He upholds and protects us—even when we don’t realize it.

I heard someone say recently that the most important thing about you is who you believe Jesus is—and I believe that to be true.

Chris Boggess is the Next Generation/Family Pastor at NorthStar Church. He grew up in St. Albans, West Virginia, and still cheers for the Mountaineers. He and his wife, Heather, have two grown children and one granddaughter.

Digging Deeper – By the Scruff of the Neck

Chris Boggess on June 19, 2025

But when he saw the wind, he was afraid, and beginning to sink he cried out, “Lord, save me.” ³¹Jesus immediately reached out his hand and took hold of him, saying to him, “O you of little faith, why did you doubt?”

Matthew 14:30-31

BY THE SCRUFF OF THE NECK

I love to watch nature shows—especially when young animals are involved. Lion cubs, bear cubs, wolf pups—they’re so cute and mischievous. I love how they get into situations that are over their heads, and then their mom comes along and rescues them. This is a developmental stage in their lives; they play at being grown, even though they’re not yet ready to be on their own.

I feel like this is where Peter is when he sees Jesus walking on the water. Peter wants to be like Jesus and is willing to give it a try—stepping out of the boat—but like a lion cub chasing a badger, he soon realizes that he is literally in over his head.

When this happens to a cub in the wild, the mother steps in and often grabs the cub by the scruff of the neck, carrying it out of trouble. Although it looks rough when they’re held this way, it has a calming effect on the cub, causing it to relax so the mother won’t hurt it while carrying it in her sharp teeth.

I think it’s interesting that Peter doesn’t reach out and grab Jesus; Jesus reaches out and grabs Peter. I like to imagine that He pulls Peter up by his robe, like a mother lion picking up a cub.

Peter knew he was in trouble, but he didn’t know how to get out of it—especially not on his own. As a fisherman, Peter knew the danger of being in the water during a storm, so he did the only thing in his power: he cried out to Jesus, and Jesus stepped in.

As we walk through our lives of faith, we strive to be more like Jesus. However, sometimes that puts us in situations where we find ourselves in over our heads. Maybe we’re sharing the Gospel and don’t know how to answer someone’s questions. Perhaps we’re on a mission trip in a foreign country and can’t communicate—or we find ourselves lost. Or maybe it’s as simple as having a neighbor whom you know you’re supposed to love, but they’re incredibly difficult to love. In some situations, everything seems fine and under control—until suddenly, it’s not.

Whatever the case, call out to Jesus. Let Him grab you by the scruff of the neck. Relax, and trust Him to bring you safely through whatever you’re dealing with.

Take a moment to reflect on the areas in your life where you strive to live up to Jesus’ example but feel like you’re falling short. Call out and ask Him to pull you up in the places where you see that you can’t do it on your own. His power is greater than yours, and He knows more than you.

Digging Deeper – Get Out of the Boat

Chris Boggess on June 18, 2025

Now there is in Jerusalem by the Sheep Gate a pool, in Aramaic called Bethesda, which has five roofed colonnades. ³In these lay a multitude of invalids—blind, lame, and paralyzed. ⁵One man was there who had been an invalid for thirty-eight years. ⁶When Jesus saw him lying there and knew that he had already been there a long time, he said to him, “Do you want to be healed?” ⁷The sick man answered him, “Sir, I have no one to put me into the pool when the water is stirred up, and while I am going, another steps down before me.” ⁸Jesus said to him, “Get up, take up your bed, and walk.” ⁹And at once the man was healed, and he took up his bed and walked.

John 5:2-9

And Peter answered him, “Lord, if it is you, command me to come to you on the water.” ²⁹He said, “Come.” So Peter got out of the boat and walked on the water and came to Jesus.

Matthew 14:28-29

GET OUT OF THE BOAT

Jesus is always calling us to more. In his book The Weight of Glory, C.S. Lewis calls humans “half-hearted creatures” who are too easily pleased. We are content with our lives, such as they are. But what if we thought differently? What if we realized that what we want for ourselves is far less than what God wants for us?

The paralytic in the passage above from the Gospel of John is a lot like most of us. Jesus comes upon him and asks if he wants more out of life—change, healing, maybe even a miracle. Jesus asks the man a yes-or-no question. It’s not a middle school note (check one: yes, no, maybe so). There is no “maybe” on the list of answers when Jesus calls him. But the man responds with an excuse for why he can’t get healing.

Jesus wasn’t offering the paralytic man help to do what he was already doing. He was offering the miraculous—something only the Son of God could provide. The man had to change his mindset about what was being offered to him. And he does change, because when Jesus says, “Take up your bed,” the man quickly obeys. If he hadn’t, he would never have experienced the healing Jesus had for him.

Peter, on the other hand, is looking for the miraculous. He sees what Jesus is doing and thinks, “I want to get some of that!” So he asks Jesus if he can join Him on the water, and when Jesus says, “Come,” Peter gets up and moves!

Take a moment to reflect on your current stage in your Christian journey. Are you sitting by, making excuses for why your life is what it is? Then you should know—Jesus is calling you to more. Take a moment to pray today and ask Him to reveal what He has in store for you.

Or maybe you’re looking at something you know God is calling you to. It’s big, miraculous, beyond your ability—and you’re a little nervous about it. Just remember: when Jesus says, “Come,” get out of the boat!

Digging Deeper – Fear

Chris Boggess on June 17, 2025

And in the fourth watch of the night he came to them, walking on the sea. ²⁶But when the disciples saw him walking on the sea, they were terrified, and said, “It is a ghost!” and they cried out in fear. ²⁷But immediately Jesus spoke to them, saying, “Take heart; it is I. Do not be afraid.”

Matthew 14:25-27

The Lord is my light and my salvation;

Whom shall I fear?

The Lord is the stronghold of my life;

Of whom shall I be afraid?

Psalm 27:1

FEAR

Have you ever been watching a movie, and one of the characters hears a noise in the dark basement? Just minutes before, that same character was being warned about the danger that lurks in the darkness. You, the viewer, know that the threat is now close at hand in the basement. But the character—who should know better—grabs the faulty flashlight from the kitchen drawer and heads down the dark, cobwebby stairs. You know this action is irrational and reckless, but no matter how much you yell at the screen, they just keep going.

Fear makes you stupid.

Your brain has distinct parts that control various functions. The amygdala is the part of the brain that processes fear. It assesses threats and triggers reactions in the body that prepare us—using our sympathetic nervous system—for whatever is coming next. Our heart rate rises, pupils dilate, and adrenaline is released. The amygdala is also the seat of emotions, so the decisions it makes are primarily based on how things feel.

However, while the amygdala is running full throttle when we are afraid, the prefrontal cortex—which is responsible for helping us make rational decisions—is being impaired. Making logical decisions, such as not going into the dark basement where danger lurks, becomes difficult. So, when I say fear makes you stupid, the science backs me up.

Fear made the disciples see a ghost instead of salvation, and fear makes us see the worst possible outcomes in our future. When we face a difficult conversation, a negative life change, or an uncomfortable situation, fear can create a destructive cycle. We are afraid, so we imagine the worst—which leads to more fear—and so on.

The thing I love in this week’s passage is the change that happens when the disciples realize Jesus is in the situation.
“Take heart; it is I. Do not be afraid,” Jesus shouts over the waves. And the disciples go from being afraid of ghosts to being pretty bold. When Peter jumps out of the boat into a storm, it is one of the boldest steps of faith in Scripture. However, he then starts to sink when fear takes over again.

Jeffrey Melvin and I were discussing the concept of fear the other day, and he shared a little phrase that we would do well to remember. He said, “You can think yourself out of fear, but you can’t feel yourself out of fear.” So let us take a moment to think about the reasons we have to not be afraid.

I love Psalm 27’s pattern of statement followed by a rhetorical question:

The Lord is my light and my salvation — (STATEMENT)
Whom shall I fear? — (RHETORICAL QUESTION)
The Lord is the stronghold of my life — (STATEMENT)
Of whom shall I be afraid? — (RHETORICAL QUESTION)

We should remember this pattern as we face fearful situations. If we make the Lord our light, then He can reveal our fears for what they truly are—not what we imagine them to be. Light is a powerful antidote to fear. There’s a reason most horror movies take place in the dark.

If we make the Lord our salvation, then we are no longer responsible for saving ourselves. There is so little in life that we truly control. If our salvation depended on us, we would have much to fear—weak and limited as we are. But if the Lord is our salvation, then we are looking to the Almighty Creator of the universe, a much more trustworthy option when it comes to navigating our situation.

Finally, if we make the Lord our stronghold, then we have a place to rest. A stronghold is safe from enemies—whether they are ghosts in the storm, relationship strife, or looming layoffs. God wants you to know that you are safe with Him. There is nothing we have to fear. Even death holds no fear for those who believe in Jesus.

So take a minute today to identify the areas of fear in your life. As you think about them, listen to Jesus calling to you:
“Take heart; it is I. Do not be afraid.”
Make Jesus your light, salvation, and stronghold in that situation. And if things get worse, call out to Him. Don’t let fear take the place that Jesus wants to occupy in your life.