How Jesus Responded to Fear, Anxiety, and the Search for Significance (Part 1 of 2)

Blog by Gem Fadling

Because of the intensity of our current cultural dynamics, I’ve been pondering the human condition. What is going on in our hearts and minds? And how might Jesus address us as we move through these unsettling times?

The Gospels are full of stories in which Jesus interacts with people in many circumstances, who have differing needs and various perspectives on their situations. This isn’t much different from us today.

When we slow down enough to notice these conversations, we realize we are not simply reading about ancient people in distant places. We are hearing echoes of ourselves.

The older I get the more I believe in and trust in the Bible’s wisdom for my life. Jesus was a master at bringing to the surface the deep wisdom of the Kingdom.

Jesus listens to the words people speak and responds to the hidden longings, fears, ambitions, anxieties, or hurts beneath them. The Gospels become a mirror that shows us the human condition and the gracious way Jesus meets with people within it.

Let’s consider three of these interactions. Maybe we can find some resonance in them and receive some needed grace as well.

I’ll just be sharing a line or two from each passage. I encourage you to go to the scriptures and read the full context.

Anxiety and Fear

 Jesus was in the stern, sleeping on a cushion. The disciples woke him and said to him, “Teacher, don’t you care if we drown?” (Mark 4:38)

Here in Mark 4, Jesus and the disciples were moving from one side of the lake to the other after being with the crowds, and a terrible storm arose. It’s interesting that these first words to erupt from the disciples’ mouths concern Jesus’s heart toward them. That’s what fear does. It narrows our view. They weren’t only afraid of the storm; their deeper fear was relational: “Don’t you care?”

Jesus heard them, “rebuked the wind,” and quieted the storm. Then he asked, “Why are you so afraid? Do you still have no faith?” (v. 40).

He addressed both their external squall and their internal lack of trust. After all they had been through, there was still a kind of blindness to who Jesus was. I imagine I would have acted the same as they did. The reality of who Jesus is slowly unfolded, day by day, right in front of them, but it must have been difficult to put the pieces together in real time.

And this story isn’t easily tied up in a bow. It leaves us hanging with the words, “They were terrified and asked each other, ‘Who is this? Even the wind and the waves obey him!’” (v. 41).

Since I know the answer to the disciples’ question and the full story of the gospel, the question I must answer today is: Will I remember who Jesus is, that he does care for me, and that he has the power to calm my storms and my heart?

Desire for Power and Recognition

Who, then, is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven? (Matthew 18:1)

This question assumes hierarchy. The disciples wanted to know where they fell on that measuring stick. I presume they thought they might rise to the top since they had a direct connection with Jesus. On my more self-centered days, I might wonder the same thing about myself.

Jesus responds by bringing a child to the center of the conversation.

“Truly I tell you, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. Therefore, whoever takes the lowly position of this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. And whoever welcomes one such child in my name welcomes me.” (Matthew 18:3-5)

What a beautiful depiction of Jesus’s upside-down kingdom ways. Jesus invites his followers to be like little children—those least likely to hold positions of honor. He does not exemplify our assured adult ways, but the posture of a child: dependent, curious, simple, playful, creative. Possibly undervalued, and maybe even “seen and not heard.”

Jesus made an intentional point by bringing in a child. I wish I could have been there to see the looks on their faces. I’m sure it took them by surprise. They were probably thinking, This is how to be the greatest?

By doing this, Jesus squelched the question itself. It’s as if he was saying, “Let’s not go there. That’s not how I measure. We don’t rank ourselves in the Kingdom of God. But here, if you need an example to follow, be like this little kid and live in sheer and utter dependence on our loving God. That is the greatest way.”

In two weeks, I’m going to share one more interaction Jesus had, as well as a few closing thoughts.

For now, I hope you’ll take some time to reflect on these first two encounters. What do you notice inside yourself?

For Reflection: 

• There are so many more interactions like this in the Gospels. You might set aside some time to peruse and find other conversations. Where else do you see your own tendencies revealed?
• As you sink into the passages above (and others), open your heart to Jesus’s care. He sees you as you are and is willing to receive you. The good news is, he doesn’t leave us as we are. He strengthens, exhorts, loves, and heals. Remain open to his care and respond willingly.
• When will you make time to sit at the feet of Jesus and receive what he offers?

Gem Fadling is a founding partner of Unhurried Living, Inc., a non-profit that trains people to rest deeper, live fuller and lead better. She is a trained Spiritual Director and a Certified Life Coach who trains people at the intersection of spiritual leadership and soul care. She co-leads PACE, a two-year leadership formation journey that helps leaders live and lead from spiritual depth rather than depletion. Gem is the co-host of the Unhurried Living Podcast as well as the author of Hold That Thought and co-author of What Does Your Soul Love? Her work has appeared in Propel Women and Our Daily Bread. To connect with Gem and find resources for soul care and leadership, visit unhurriedliving.com or find her on Instagram and LinkedIn.