Dr. Timothy “TA” Ateek shares a personal story about his drive from Austin to Dallas with his young boys, a humorous diaper incident at Chick-fil-A, and explores the root cause of stress. He discusses the deeper meaning behind Jesus' command to 'be quiet' in calming the storm and encourages listeners to choose faith over fear, finding peace amidst life's storms.
Stress and fear arise when we lack control over a situation.
God intentionally leads us into challenging circumstances to teach us trust and reliance on Him.
Deep dives
Stress stems from a lack of control
At the root of stress is a lack of control over a situation. When faced with circumstances that cannot be controlled, stress and fear often arise. Whether it's having more tasks than time or uncertainty about future plans, the feeling of not being in control can lead to stress and anxiety.
God intentionally leads us into uncontrollable situations
God has a purpose in leading us into situations that we cannot control. Just as Jesus intentionally led his disciples into a storm on the Sea of Galilee, God intentionally leads us into challenging circumstances. These situations offer an opportunity to trust in God's control and rely on His faithfulness, knowing that He is before all things and holds everything together.
Jesus is in control, so we don't have to be
We don't have to shoulder the burden of being in control because Jesus is already in control. As shown in his ability to calm the storm on the sea, Jesus has authority over all things. When we let go of the need to control every aspect of our lives and trust in Jesus' sovereignty, we can find peace and calmness amidst the chaos.