Robert Louis Stevenson used to tell the story of a ship being battered by a huge storm. The crew were terrified and one young sailor gave way to panic and left his post to rush to the bridge, where he hid behind the door, frozen in fright as he watched the captain calmly giving orders to the man who wrestled with the ship’s wheel, guiding the vessel through the threatening seas. The Captain turned slightly, looked at the frightened sailor, and smiled. The boy then returned below deck and assured the crew all danger was over. When they inquired how he knew, he answered, ‘I have seen the face of the Captain, and he smiled at me.’
That’s why Christians sing ‘With Christ in my vessel I can smile at the storm.’ Fear goes when you know the one who’s is in control.