Fear and worry

The short answer

Jesus did not tell people their fears were imaginary. He was in the boat with them, and he calmed the storm.

He also told them not to borrow trouble from tomorrow, because the God who feeds the birds knows what they need today.

In the Gospels

1. Mark 4:35–41

   The storm on the lake

   A storm fills the boat with water while Jesus sleeps. The disciples wake him in terror; he speaks, and the wind stops.

   Read Mark 4:35–41

   ³⁵ On that day, when evening had come, he said to them, “Let’s go over to the other side.” ³⁶ Leaving the multitude, they took him with them, even as he was, in the boat. Other small boats were also with him. ³⁷ A big wind storm arose, and the waves beat into the boat, so much that the boat was already filled. ³⁸ He himself was in the stern, asleep on the cushion, and they woke him up, and told him, “Teacher, don’t you care that we are dying?” ³⁹ He awoke, and rebuked the wind, and said to the sea, “Peace! Be still!” The wind ceased, and there was a great calm. ⁴⁰ He said to them, “Why are you so afraid? How is it that you have no faith?” ⁴¹ They were greatly afraid, and said to one another, “Who then is this, that even the wind and the sea obey him?”

   World English Bible, public domain. The whole chapter on Free Scripture → · Read in the NRSVue, the ELCA’s standard translation →

   Jesus Calms the Storm, scene by scene on Free Scripture→

2. Matthew 6:25–34

   Don’t worry about tomorrow

   Jesus points to the birds and the wildflowers. God cares for them, and people matter more to him than they do.

   Read Matthew 6:25–34

   ²⁵ Therefore I tell you, don’t be anxious for your life: what you will eat, or what you will drink; nor yet for your body, what you will wear. Isn’t life more than food, and the body more than clothing? ²⁶ See the birds of the sky, that they don’t sow, neither do they reap, nor gather into barns. Your heavenly Father feeds them. Aren’t you of much more value than they? ²⁷ “Which of you, by being anxious, can add one moment to his lifespan? ²⁸ Why are you anxious about clothing? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow. They don’t toil, neither do they spin, ²⁹ yet I tell you that even Solomon in all his glory was not dressed like one of these. ³⁰ But if God so clothes the grass of the field, which today exists, and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, won’t he much more clothe you, you of little faith? ³¹ “Therefore don’t be anxious, saying, ‘What will we eat?’, ‘What will we drink?’ or, ‘With what will we be clothed?’ ³² For the Gentiles seek after all these things; for your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things. ³³ But seek first God’s Kingdom, and his righteousness; and all these things will be given to you as well. ³⁴ Therefore don’t be anxious for tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself. Each day’s own evil is sufficient.

   World English Bible, public domain. The whole chapter on Free Scripture → · Read in the NRSVue, the ELCA’s standard translation →

   Do Not Worry, scene by scene on Free Scripture→

3. John 14:1–3

   The night before he died

   Knowing what is coming, Jesus comforts his friends first: trust God, trust me, I am preparing a place for you.

   Read John 14:1–3

   ¹ “Don’t let your heart be troubled. Believe in God. Believe also in me. ² In my Father’s house are many homes. If it weren’t so, I would have told you. I am going to prepare a place for you. ³ If I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and will receive you to myself; that where I am, you may be there also.

   World English Bible, public domain. The whole chapter on Free Scripture → · Read in the NRSVue, the ELCA’s standard translation →

   I Am the Way, scene by scene on Free Scripture→