During the coverage of the Paris Olympics these past few days there have been a number of stories told of the lives of the athletes behind the scenes. At least a couple of them touched on the topic of the mental stress and mental blocks that can lead to a loss of confidence in their ability to perform at that level. Elite athletes need a healthy dose of confidence, or their dedication and love of the sport are not likely to translate into success.

No less important than success in athletics is our daily “success” at life in family, work, spiritual growth, and personal relationships. Fear can be a hindrance. Real or imagined, many sources of anxiety and fear creep into everyone’s lives.

Jesus’ disciples . . . . encountered both real and imagined fears one night on a lake. A wind against them as they were struggling to row their boat in the night in the middle of the lake was a real concern. Imagining that the figure walking towards them was a ghost and becoming terrified was not a real concern. The ghost was not there. It was Jesus.

No one wants to live a “fear-filled” life. The regular therapy and mind training that some athletes and others may recommend could be part of a solution to our own real or imaginary fears. But only part. We need a reference point greater than ourselves or other people.
Jesus’ advice is simpler. Immediately he spoke to them and said, “Take courage! It is I. Don’t be afraid.” (Mark 6:50) Knowing Jesus and who he is, is the antidote to fear.

That’s what the disciples had forgotten. The account in the Gospel of Mark interestingly explains that to us: … for they had not understood about the loaves … (Mark 6:52). The disciples had just seen the miraculous feeding of the five thousand men together with any family members that were along with them. The miracle pointed to Jesus as the same God who had fed Israel in the desert, and was now in the world as the Messiah to save.
Seeing what Jesus has done is enough for us. His care and providence. His death and resurrection. He was delivered over to death for our sins and was raised to life for our justification (Romans 4:25).

Have you understood the lesson of the loaves? God came into the world and showed many times that he was God in the person of Jesus. God in our world watches over us, forgives us and saves us. Take courage!