About three o’clock in the morning Jesus came toward them, walking on the water. When the disciples saw him walking on the water, they were terrified. In their fear, they cried out, “It’s a ghost!”

But Jesus spoke to them at once. “Don’t be afraid,” he said. “Take courage. I am here!” Then Peter called to him, “Lord, if it’s really you, tell me to come to you, walking on the water.” “Yes, come,” Jesus said. So Peter went over the side of the boat and walked on the water toward Jesus. But when he saw the strong wind and the waves, he was terrified and began to sink. “Save me, Lord!” he shouted.

Matthew 14:25-30

Jesus lets us go through storms, too. As He did with His disciples, He uses them to teach us. He uses them to say, “I am all you need.” Impulsive Peter stepped out of the boat in faith, but he immediately doubted Jesus’ ability to keep him safe. He sank as soon as he took his eyes off Jesus and looked at the waves. He trusted the waves and the wind more than he trusted His Lord. 

Whenever you allow your worries and your fears to distract you, it’s hard to keep your eyes on Jesus. The fears become bigger than your faith. But if you truly believe that Jesus is the way, the truth, and the life (John 14:6), you’re going to have to keep your eyes on Him and follow where He leads. That means taking your eye’s off of your circumstances and whatever fears are holding you hostage, and fixing them on Jesus, instead. Not just for a moment, because you will surely sink as soon as you lose your focus. But when you make Jesus your focus all day, every day, and in every situation, your faith will always keep you afloat. Where is God calling you to get out of the boat and step out on the water? When you keep your eyes on Him, all those pesky fears and frustrations that control you today, won’t seem so big tomorrow. Trust Him. Even when the waves threaten, He is right there, and He will never let you sink. You are loved! 

Don’t ask God to bless what you’re doing. Do what God is blessing. Ask Him what he wants you to do, and then be willing to get out of the boat. -Rick Warren