ANXIETY AND THE POWER OF "STORY"

My day has consisted of talking with people, running errands and doing household chores while listening to podcasts. My brain's been noisy, so I silence my music app while I do dishes. It's not long before I become aware that I am anxious. There’s a tightness in my throat and neck, an all-too-familiar uneasiness in the region of my stomach. The pervasiveness of our world crisis is unavoidable and one can only pretend for short periods of time that everything is like it was a year ago. I stop.

I lay a dripping left hand on my right shoulder, where I had once sensed Jesus’ hand.

“You are with me, Immanuel,” I whisper

The thought comes, “Peace, be still.”

Hmmmm. That’s what He had said to calm the tumultuous waves.

Then I think of another event involving water... Peter on the sea.

I’m a writer. I’m interested in the craft of story-telling. Soon I’ve forgotten my anxiety, and I’m thinking about how interesting it is that these are stories - true accounts - recorded in the Holy Bible, used in lessons and sermons to illustrate our need of trusting in the Prince of peace.

However, they’re not stories Jesus told, but actual events in the shared lives of Jesus and His twelve apprentices. Bible stories. True stories. Gripping stories.

He could’ve simply said to them, “I see you fretting about many things. Trust Me.”

Instead He allows the power of “story” to do it’s work. I’m amused that first, they must live the stories! (They, on the other hand, were not so amused.) Here we have two true accounts of stressful, visceral* events – situations in which things look out of control to the disciples and it is necessary for them to trust Him.

In the first – Jesus says “Peace, be still" to the wind and waves. The Twelve watch in wonder as things around them immediately calm.

They are terrified. [Visceral* reaction.]

“Who is this, that even the very wind and waves obey Him?!” Without a doubt, there were some strong emotions roiling around in their guts then as well. I guarantee that scenario was emblazoned on their memories for life.

In the second true account, the Twelve are in their boat out on the lake at night. A ghastly figure approaches. Understandably, again they are terrified [visceral* reaction], until they learn it’s their teacher. Jesus probably surprises Peter as He calls him to come to Him on the water. Peter takes the challenge. Then in a weak moment, he forgets to trust and sinks. And Jesus rescues him and gently chides him. You can be sure that was another unforgettable scene in the minds of Peter and his companions.

Don’t you know these guys replayed these moments over and over - to themselves and to anyone who would listen. For the rest of their lives. (That’s how we know the stories!) These visceral scenes grab us in the gut too. And we remember them. Perhaps better than the record of those quiet moments when Jesus said to those around Him in so many words, “Trust me.”

I muse on the truth that emotion is the best tool for anchoring things in our memory. I continue to wash dishes and share the feeling of peace that had come over my friends, the Disciples in those accounts.  The muscles in my throat relax and my stomach calms. And I am at peace.

I love the power of stories. I love that sometimes I have strong feelings when I read or hear them. I love the wisdom of my Triune God in using them to help us remember powerful truths. 

I urge you, dear reader, to remember the moments in the Bible that show Jesus helping His friends be calm - and even the moments in your own life when Jesus spoke peace to your heart. Remember the feeling. Feel it again. Let the Prince of Peace rule there.

Yours for a peaceful heart,

Julia

P.S. You wanna tell me about a time when Jesus calmed your storm? I'd love to hear it in the comments below.

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You can read the accounts here:

Jesus Walks on the Water - Matthew 14:22-32

Jesus Calms the Storm - Mark 4:35-41

*Visceral: felt in, or as if in, the internal organs of the body; a gut-level reaction