But Jesus immediately said to them: “Take courage! It is I. Don’t be afraid.” “Lord, if it’s you,” Peter replied, “tell me to come to you on the water.” “Come,” he said. Then Peter got down out of the boat, walked on the water and came toward Jesus. But when he saw the wind, he was afraid and, beginning to sink, cried out, “Lord, save me!” Matthew 14:27-30. NIV
So many people are requesting prayer. It’s like the major problems have pushed people to the edge of their frailty. Fear of what is going to happen has a way of knocking the legs out from under the Sunday School responses to life. How do we find the courage to continue to move toward God?
How does faith grow in you when you are in the middle of a storm? Maybe your storm is the culmination of a lifetime of seemingly wrong decisions or negative events. Maybe your storm is the constant barrage of health struggles, lack of finances, loneliness, depression which you can’t wade out from underneath.
You probably agree all too often with Jesus– “in this world you will have troubles”. These struggles can be so overwhelming that they narrow your vision so much you remain focused on the next wave that you see approaching. Some have felt that their lot in life will only be managing the effects of wave after wave instead of experiencing calm.
As a believer you have the wonderful gift of ears to hear Jesus’ voice, even in the middle of your storm. Jesus said that his sheep hear his voice and they follow him. He is saying the same thing to you that He said to Peter on that night. “Take courage! It is I. Don’t be afraid.”
The root meaning of “take courage” means a warming on the inside which leads to an embolden inner attitude. As you hear Jesus’ voice, you begin to sense something. It is called hope. As you acknowledge that seed of hope, boldness takes root in the foundation in which you become aware Jesus is present in your situation. Responding to His voice allows the aroma of faith to fill the swirling anxious thoughts in your mind, like the smell of freshly made coffee filling the home.
Faith was rising in Peter when He saw Jesus on the water, but he still needed to know if it was truly Jesus. “If it is you” is a question of faith, not doubt. Discerning his voice is of utmost importance in your walk of faith. Some of you already know that Jesus is asking you to follow him onto the waves. Be settled and know that if He says “Come” then you should go. Speak it aloud. “I trust you, Jesus, with my life”.
Every step of faith is like walking on water. Trusting God for the outcome allows for no crutches.
- Believing that you have made a step toward Him means you have left the safety of the boat of your own control.
- Trusting God means that you believe His way is more secure than your own way of thinking.
- Believing God means that you can no longer remain idle trying to decide what you should or might do, you must move in the direction of His leading.
- Trusting God means releasing the grip of your fingers on what is familiar and taking hold of the warmth of his loving hand.
- Believing God looks like an entirely poor decision from the world’s perspective, faith in heaven’s ways looks foolish to them.
- Trusting God is like walking on an icy river; it only has to be thick enough to carry you, not dense enough to require no faith on your part.
“Take courage.” Let hope arise for your life in which Jesus is already moving. He is speaking to you about your present, future, family, vocation, finances, today and your tomorrow. He has great plans for you which include faith in which He is with you in your next step. His word is a lamp unto your feet.
On this Fear Not Friday ask for the courage to trust Him for your next step. No matter how smal you walk in His direction…you are going the right way. Let courage arise. Trust him today for the courage in which He will lead you at the pace that is right to fulfill His purpose in and through your life.
Blessings Love y’all