“When I am afraid, I put my trust in you. In God, whose word I praise — in God I trust and am not afraid.” — Psalm 56:3-4a
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While preparing for a deciding Game 7 in the 2025 World Series against the Los Angeles Dodgers, Toronto Blue Jays first baseman Vladimir Guerrero Jr. told his teammates in the locker room that day, “If you get nervous, look at me.” He wanted to be a source of calm and confidence for his fellow players in that game, whatever the outcome might look like. As it turned out, they came up just a bit short and lost a heartbreaker, 5-4, after having the win within reach.
Still, this story and the words Guerrero had spoken to the team beforehand stuck with me as a prime example of what Jesus has to say to us in the moments we find ourselves the most afraid and anxious about life.
This reminded me of the story of Jesus and His disciples out on the Sea of Galilee when a great storm arose. Mark 4:35-41 describes the scene as waves broke over the boat and nearly swamped it. That’s some serious weather right there! The disciples, even though several of them were fishermen and had probably dealt with such difficult conditions before, grew greatly afraid because it seemed like this storm was going to be too much to handle. And, from their perspective, it only made matters worse that Jesus was sleeping — sleeping! — in the boat and didn’t seem concerned at all. When their worry finally got to be too much to bear, they woke Him up, asking if He cared that they were drowning.
I can’t help but think how we’ve all had moments when it seemed, from our point of view, as though Jesus doesn’t care how bad things are. We are the disciples in so many ways. As Jesus commanded the storm to be still, He asked them where their faith was and why they seemed so surprised that He has power over even the weather.
The truth is, the Master isn’t worried about anything. He is unconcerned. Always. Because He holds the world and us in His powerful hands, and because He also knows the entirety of history and exactly what will happen next, there is no need for Him to be anxious or afraid.
We grow concerned because we live in the mystery, and our finite human brains are trying to make sense of what is happening or trying to get ahead of the situation so that we can stay safe. Yet, the reality is that we get to walk with the One who sleeps through the storm. We are invited to do life with a God who isn’t worried about anything. He never gets nervous, never is afraid, never is worried. He is forever our calm, our safe place.
And, when the situation begins to get stressful and we’re anxious over what will happen next, He looks us in the eyes and simply says, “If you get nervous, look at Me.”
— Katherine Singer
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