Napping in Faith

“The Lord turned to him and said, ‘Go with the strength you have . . . I will be with you’ ” (Judges 6:14a, 16a).

There have been times I’ve found it’s wise to wait to get more information and support before taking a risk, or responding to a difficult situation. But just as often I’ve found fear likes to masquerade as wisdom. When Jesus stilled the storm, he wasn’t demonstrating how powerful he was. He was showing us how powerful we are in him. Even when you don’t feel like it.

Even if you don’t have every answer, you’re always able to release your peace—your confident hope, joyful mindset, and ever–increasing wholeness in Jesus—into any circumstance, any relationship, any storm, and change the environment completely. Your circumstances may describe part of the season you’re in, but they don’t get to define your identity.

God hasn’t been teaching you how to hang on and barely survive against pain, bitterness, and fear. He’s been training you to live so powerfully in his love, joy, and peace you displace them completely, no matter what’s going on around you. He’s been empowering you to take naps.

“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?’

He got up, rebuked the wind and said to the waves, ‘Peace! Be still!’ The wind died down and it was completely calm.

Jesus said to them, ‘Why are you so afraid? Haven’t you learned to trust yet?’ ” (Mark 4:38-40).