Mark 4 tells the story of Jesus in the boat with his disciples. When the storm hit, the disciples panicked and called out to Jesus, who was asleep in the boat. After Jesus calmed the storm, we read a most intriguing verse.
“They were terrified” (Mark 4:41).
Notice, that they were terrified after the storm, not just during the storm. They were terrified by the deity of Jesus.
While most of us have learned to turn to Christ in the face of our fears, many of us actually find Jesus scary. Why is this? Maybe it’s because he asks so much of us. We are told to walk by faith. Jesus tells us to focus on his hand, rather than what’s in it, on the giver ahead of the gift.
And that can be scary. But worth it.
Recovery Step: Surrendering everything to Christ may be the scariest thing you will ever do. But it sure beats going down in the storm.
Author: Mark Denison
Mark and Beth Denison, married for 36 years, launched There’s Still Hope as a national movement to call men and women into lives of sexual integrity. Their ministry offers 90-day recovery plans for addicts and one-on-one and group coaching for addicts and their spouses. TSH also produces resources for pastors and churches to confront the porn epidemic that is destroying so many lives.
Dr. Denison was a senior pastor for over 30 years, NBA chaplain, and board chairman at Houston Baptist University three times. With a Master’s Degree in Addiction Recovery, Mark is a certified PSAP and active member of the American Association of Christian Counselors.
Mark has written four books on recovery: Porn in the Pew, 365 Days to Sexual Integrity, A 90-Day Recovery Guide, and 40 Days to Porn-Free Living. His latest book, Jesus on the 12 Steps, will be released later this year.
