Fear can be overwhelming. For many it seems that the only way to respond to a frightening experience is with fear. There is another option that Jesus taught his disciples in the midst of a terrifying situation. The story is familiar, but many of us may need to listen to it again and be sure we are applying its lesson to our lives, for fear can overwhelm if that is the only way we know to respond.

How should followers of Jesus respond to all the negative news surrounding us today? As we’ll see from the example and promise of Jesus we can choose joy rather than fear, worry, and anxiety. We’ll see how Jesus’ joy differs from what we call happiness, what its source is, and how we as his followers can live it out in this message.