Faith is the opposite of fear.

Both surface in the midst of the unknown. Yet the former does it with grace and the latter is “the mind killer” as Dune puts it. Yet, they do not seem to be mutually exclusive. We like to deal in absolutes. You are faithless or you are faithful and that is end of the matter. But, that is not how it plays out. It is complex.

In the gospel of Mark, the disciples are worrying about not bringing bread onto their boat for their journey across the Sea of Galilee which is really the size of a modest lake. Still they worry and argue. Keep in mind, this is shortly after the miracle of the feeding of the 5,000. They were there, they saw how Jesus provided when it seemed impossible, then they forget and settle their thoughts on what is below and lose their vision for the blessings from above. These are the men Jesus chose to proclaim His name throughout the earth, and even they were not steadfast and lacked faith many times.

Peter is a great example of this complexity. After following Jesus all around Isreal for three years, he denied knowing him three times in a moment of desperation and fear. Yet, Peter was restored by the resurrected Christ and would bear his own literal cross for the Lord. To Peter and to us, faith is a slow journey with ups and downs. This walk is manifested in actions can be seen even if what is hoped for is not yet visible.

References

Gospel of Mark

Gospel of John

Dune by Frank Herbert