Marcellino In John 16:33 Jesus states, “I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”

Now a lot of people read this scripture and only remember the second sentence, “In this world you will have trouble” but fail to remember the first and last sentence of this scripture. Unfortunately, we often focus on the trouble we have in this world and fail to see the good that God has given us. In Matthew 8:23-27 Jesus and three of his disciples are out on a boat and get caught in a terrific storm on the Galilean Sea. Jesus was sleeping while the disciples were terrified trying everything to keep from having their boat swamped. In fear they cry out to Jesus asking if he even cared if they all drowned. Jesus replied to them “Oh ye of little faith” and then calmed the wind and the waves.

How often do we focus on the negative and rely on our own strengths and totally forget the real power in our lives? We turn on the evening news or read the headlines of our local paper and shudder of the events that have transpired and wonder what will become of our jobs, health and children’s future.

Max Lucado describes in his book “Fearless” what fear can do to a person in this quote, “Fear feels dreadful. It sucks the life out of the soul, curls us into an embryonic state and drains us dry of contentment. We become abandoned barns, rickety and tilting from the winds, a place where humanity used to eat, thrive, and find warmth. No longer. When fear shapes our lives, safety becomes our god.

When safety becomes our God, we worship the risk-free life. Can the safety lover do anything great?”

Do not let fear destroy your life and your purpose in serving God. Put the boldness of Christ in your heart knowing that he is always with you in the storms of your life.

Paul Marrcellino is the pastor at the First Baptist Church of Camden.