The story of Sodom and Gomorrah is disturbing. It involves a blatant lack of hospitality, the threat of sexual violence and eventually death.

In the midst of this, the angels ask Lot to leave with his family. He delays, however. It is difficult for him to leave his home even though he knows it is going to be destroyed. God is patient with him. Lot eventually chooses to trust the angels and follows them to safety.

In the boat, the disciples are afraid. The vessel is filling perilously with water. In the midst of this turmoil, Jesus is asleep, apparently unaware. They turn to Jesus with their fears. He rebukes the wind and the waves stop.

The philosopher, John MacMurray, once said, "Fear freezes the spontaneity of life. The more fear there is in us, the less alive we are."

At times we are afraid of situations, other people and even ourselves. Jesus does not ask us to deny these fears. He invites us to express them to him. Jesus asks us to trust that he will be with us, even in the midst of a storm of fears.

Fear freezes us. Trusting Jesus is not easy...but it leads to freedom.