March 19, 2026

Don’t Fear the Storms

I enjoy studying biblical words because of the added insight I receive from the different nuances of meaning. The Hebrew language, with its pictorial style, paints many rich pictures. With a technical approach, the Greeks used to brag that they could say more in one word than other languages could in an entire sentence. Humorous, but sometimes true. Without a doubt, God determined that these two languages would give us the Scriptures.

There is another reason I like to look up the original words used in a passage of Scripture, however. Some Bible versions often use the same English word to translate different Hebrew or Greek words, which can sometimes be misleading. For example, the King James Version uses the word “time” to translate both chronos(1) and kairos,(2) words now known to many of you. However, the differences in their meanings are vitally important. Chronos refers to general or chronological time; kairos means strategic or opportune time. The importance of knowing which word is used in a given subject is immeasurable. From the time of planting seed until harvesting the fruit is chronos; harvest time is kairos. If you’re a farmer, you’d better know the difference!

Fear is another subject with which this translation problem occurs. There are actually three Greek words in the New Testament that are all sometimes translated “fear,” two of which I mentioned yesterday: phobos, meaning terror, dread, alarm, etc.,(3) and deilia, meaning timidity, intimidation, or insecurity.(4) I’ll say more about these two momentarily. 

The third word for fear is eulabeia(5) which means “reverential fear or awe.” This word is used when speaking of “the fear of the Lord” (Hebrews 5:7; 12:28). It’s easy to see the importance of knowing which of these three Greek words is used in a passage: we should revere and honor God, but we should not have a phobia of Him; nor should we be insecure regarding our relationship with Him. 

Yesterday I emphasized the word deilia, used in 2 Timothy 1:7, where Paul told his spiritual son, Timothy, “For God has not given us a spirit of deilia, but of power and love and discipline.” Timothy faced criticism and attacks from individuals while serving in the very difficult assignment of leading the church in Ephesus. Though some translations use the word “fear” in this verse, Paul wasn’t challenging him to not be “afraid.” That wasn’t the type of fear Timothy was struggling with. Paul was telling this spiritual son not to be timid or insecure. In other words, “Timothy, be bold, and believe in the gifts God has given you. Don’t accept the intimidation.”

A fascinating passage in the New Testament pictures the two different fears of harm (phobos) and timidity (deilia) working together to paralyze and torment the disciples. In Mark 4:35-41, Jesus and the disciples were crossing the Sea of Galilee when a violent storm arose. From a natural perspective, it seemed they would not make it safely through this storm. Jesus, surprisingly, was sleeping through the horrific wind and waves. In great fear, the disciples awakened Jesus, and said, “Don’t you care that we’re about to perish?!” (v. 38). Jesus got up and addressed the storm with the command, “Peace, be still” (v. 39). Amazingly, the storm ended. Then Jesus asked the disciples what seemed like a preposterous question, “Why are you afraid?” (v. 40).

I think I know why the disciples were afraid, don’t you? Some of these men were experienced fishermen who had made a living on this lake. When they determined that this storm was so strong, naturally speaking, that they weren’t going to survive it, you can believe it was true.

Christ’s question makes more sense, however, when you realize Jesus did not actually ask them why they were afraid (phobos). He asked them why they were timid or insecure (deilia). Christ was telling the disciples that they could have - and should have - done just what He had done: rebuke the storm!

They should have resisted their natural fear, which produced intimidation, and acted in faith. Boldness was needed at that moment, not timidity. This storm was a demonic strategy to harm them. Jesus had already told the disciples, “We are going to the other side,” (Mark 4:35). He knew the Gadarene demoniac's deliverance awaited on the other side of the lake (Mark 5), whose deliverance and testimony would impact the entire region of Decapolis (v. 20). Though the disciples didn’t know this, they could have acted on Christ’s declaration and done as He eventually did: rebuke the storm.

I am certainly not saying that this would have been easy. Nor am I arrogantly contending that I would have acted differently from the disciples. I am simply pointing out the lesson and truth Jesus was teaching them: My promises supersede natural laws. When you have a promise or directions from Me, believe them. Resist all fear and intimidation, and act boldly on what I say.

God has told us, “America shall be saved.” He has said that a billion-soul harvest is coming to the earth in our generation. Satan has created storms - terrorist regimes, political unrest, ideological divisions, and more - in his attempt to keep us from getting to the other side of our promise. Don’t fear the storms and don’t be intimidated. Although we can’t simply rebuke these types of storms and immediately stop them, through our prayers and decrees, we can keep them from accomplishing satan’s purposes. Believe what God has said and bind the attempts of the powers of darkness to stop God’s plans.

Pray with me:

Father, this season is fearful and intimidating for many people. Some are tempted to retreat or, worse yet, abandon their faith in Your promises. Some of us, like the disciples, are terrified of the storms. Others, like the fearful spies Moses sent to Canaan, have decided that the giants of our day are just too large.

We pray that You would show the church today, as You did our brother, Timothy, that deep within us is the strength to overcome; that satan is an intimidator who wants us to think we are grasshoppers when facing giants and storms. But You desire to give us hearts like Caleb. You said we are more than conquerors - we have more than enough strength in us to overcome (Romans 8:37).

So today we speak to our personal storms and say, “Be still! Stop! We will not listen to you, we will not run from you, and you will not destroy us.” And we say regarding our nation: “We are well able to possess the land, and we will do so. We are on God’s timetable, and all of satan’s attacks will simply be used for our benefit” (Romans 8:28). Our times are in Your hand, Lord. (Psalm 31:15). Everything You have promised, You will do–our future is secure in You. 

Our decree:

We determine that we will rebuke the storms, boldly declaring God’s Word, and will not be intimidated.

Click on the link below to watch the full video.

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1. James Strong, The New Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance of the Bible (Nashville, TN: Thomas Nelson Publishers, 1990), ref. no. 5550.

2. Ibid., ref. no. 2540. 

3. Ibid., ref. no. 5401.

4. Ibid., ref. no. 1167.

5. Ibid., ref. no. 2124.