Walk in Wisdom

by Shirley Mozena

Lord, what fools these mortals be!  Shakespeare, A Midsummer Night’s Dream

Those who trust in themselves are fools, but those who walk in wisdom are kept safe. Proverbs 28:26 NIV

I’m a reader. I love the printed word and can’t get enough of it. When I want to escape into another world, I pick up a novel. Sometimes I read one more than once if the writer is good. One book, I always return to is—you guessed it, the Bible. There is much richness and comfort in those ancient words.

It seems to me our world is going crazy. Every day, something new is taking place. What you believed would never happen, happens. Sometimes, I get afraid. Will our country last? Will we be safe? Then I get on my knees and ask God to give me strength. I ask God to give me wisdom. I ask God to help me not to fear.

Do you ever get in a crowd and wonder if you will get out? How about a traffic jam? Do you feel that you will be there forever? I imagine that’s how Jesus felt when He was constantly pressed on from every side.

While studying the book of Mark with a friend, we read about the incident where Jesus calmed the storm after a long day among crowds. He and the disciples went out onto the lake to get away. As they traveled, Jesus lay back and took a nap. He was God, but also human, and He was tired! But then a storm came up and “nearly swamped” the boat. The disciples, who as fishermen were very familiar with boats and water, were very afraid and woke up Jesus. And even though they had witnessed many of Jesus’ miracles, He now did something astounding that terrified them in another way.

He got up, rebuked the wind and said to the waves, “Quiet! Be still!” Then the wind died down and it was completely calm. He said to his disciples, “Why are you so afraid? Do you still have no faith?” (Mark 4:39-40 NIV).

Can you imagine this? I know about being in a boat and being scared by waves. I’ve crossed the Columbia River Bar, entered the ocean in a small boat and felt fear. The waves were sometimes enormous and seemed like they would crash right into our boat. But the boat just rose up on the swell and came down on the other side.

The disciples were afraid too, but the rough water did not scare them as much as the power of Jesus’ words. They now understood He had power over nature. I believe they realized, yet again, Who was with them.

God.

Wow! Does that bring you back to our world like it did me? The wild waves of crazy leadership. Despots desiring more power? Lies everywhere? It brings me back to Proverbs 28:26 (NIV), which tells us “Those who trust in themselves are fools…”

Last night, I was disconcerted. Restless. I couldn’t put my finger on my emotions. I guess I’ll admit it: I was afraid. Afraid for my country. For our world. For the powerless against the powerful. And then, I reflected on the story of Jesus stopping the storm. I prayed for strength. For more belief in my unbelief. And for my fears to be banished.

Lord Jesus, help me to not fear. To remember Who is in control of our world. Who is never afraid. Who controls the wind and waves. Thank you, Jesus. Amen.

This article is brought to you by the Advanced Writers and Speakers Association (AWSA).

About the author: Shirley Quiring Mozena is a writer, blogger, and national speaker for Stonecroft. She has written three books, Second Chances, Beyond Second Chances: Heartbreak to Joy, and recently published, Second Chance at Love: Navigating the Path to Remarriage. Her work has appeared in newspapers and magazines.

Join the conversation: Do you struggle with fear?