Paralyzed By Fear
One day Jesus said to His disciples, “Let us go over to the other side of the lake.” So they got into a boat and set out. As they sailed, Jesus fell asleep. A squall came down on the lake, so that the boat was being swamped, and they were in great danger. The disciples went and woke Him, saying, “Master, Master, we’re going to drown!” He got up and rebuked the wind and the raging waters; the storm subsided, and all was calm. “Where is your faith?” Jesus asked His disciples. In fear and amazement they asked one another, “Who is this? He commands even the winds and the water, and they obey Him.”
Luke 8:22-25
PARALYZED BY FEAR
Every coach knows the feeling. The season is slipping, a key player goes down, the parents are restless, and your job feels like it’s hanging by a thread. You’ve done everything right, and the boat is still filling with water.
The disciples knew that feeling all too well. Jesus Himself had told them, “Let’s cross to the other side.” They were exactly where He wanted them, and the storm hit anyway. Obedience doesn’t exempt us from fear. Even experienced fishermen, men who knew that lake, were certain they were going to drown.
So when life gets scary, what do we do?
1. Shout Out to Jesus!
The disciples didn’t wait until they had it figured out. They woke Him up and shouted, “Master, Master, we’re going to drown!” It wasn’t polished, but it was honest. Coaches are trained to project confidence, and we often carry our fears silently so our players won’t see them. Jesus isn’t asking for a game face. He’s asking for your voice. Bring Him the fear, the doubt, and the sleepless nights.
2. Lock Eyes with Jesus!
After He calmed the storm, the disciples asked, “Who is this man?” Fear shrinks our vision until all we see is the waves. Sitting in the boat was someone who commands wind and water, and they were only now beginning to see it. When the pressure rises, resist staring at the scoreboard, the standings, the fans, or the critics. Look at Jesus. Lock eyes with Him. Read about what He has done, remember what He has already brought you through, and let your picture of Him get bigger than your problem.
3. Make Jesus the Focus of Your Faith!
Jesus’ question, “Where is your faith?” wasn’t meant to shame them. It was an invitation to point their trust at the right place. Coaches put faith in many things: a game plan, a roster, a recruiting class, a group of assistant coaches, and a win-loss record. All of those can fail, and all of them will change. Jesus doesn’t.
Listen Closely —
Your players are watching how you handle the storm. A coach who cries out to Jesus, looks closely at Him, and keeps trusting Him teaches something no playbook can: peace isn’t the absence of storms; peace is the presence of Christ in the middle of the storm.
What storm are you facing right now? Have you actually told Jesus about it?
If not, He’s waiting to hear from you.
Tell Him today.
Love God. Love People. Live Sent.
Be Worth Being.
Kevin
Kevin Burrell has worked in professional baseball as both a player and MLB scout for the past 45 years, and currently serves as an area scouting supervisor. Kevin was drafted in the 1st round of the 1981 free agent amateur draft (25th selection overall), and played ten years of professional baseball with four different organizations. He and his wife, Valerie, live in Sharpsburg, Ga.