But when he saw the wind, he was afraid, and beginning to sink he cried out, “Lord, save me.” (Matthew 14:30 ESV)
Fear Not… then Fear Not.
Many ailments require only one treatment. Usually, a broken bone requires one cast. Usually, a bout with the flu requires one treatment. Usually, tonsilitis is ultimately treated one time. But I have a shot of insulin three times each day, every day. My pancreas fails every day, so I need insulin every day.
Jesus, as a cure for fear, is like insulin. We need Him repeatedly.
As Peter is walking on the water, right in front of Jesus, Peter becomes afraid. Even though Peter, through Christ, overcame fear moments ago. He had stopped fearing the confusing appearance of Jesus. He had stopped fearing the storm.
He had his medicine: Jesus.
But now, once more, Peter is afraid.
Again.
The fear disease shows up again. Like ants at a picnic, mosquitos while fishing, and bad officials at a football game… fear repeats.
And so, Peter cries out to Jesus… once more looking for help overcoming fear.
The process for Peter’s fear reduction needs to be repeated. The treatment gets to be applied again.
Peter might have thought he was over his fear… but instead he found that he got to ‘fear not’ at least once more.
Jesus is the medicine that keeps on curing.
Fear not, then fear not.