Do you feel caught out at sea in the middle of a storm, surrounded by endless waves of trials and uncontrollable fear? Every way you look you see no relief to the struggle, pain and worry? The sea of negativity engulfs you, removing any form of hope you once had. You are swept into the deep waters, far from escaping the darkness that surrounds you.
Sometimes God allows us to pass through a severe storm, not so that we will be destroyed, but so that we can be refined. It is when we encounter trials that we never thought we’d ever have to experience that we can learn to trust God in a way we never could have without the turbulent seas.
I’m someone who looks at my helpless situation and tries to find any way I can that can help solve the issue on my own. When I’ve drifted from God, and placed everything else as priority instead of Him, sadly, sometimes my last thought is to go to God for help. I seek people’s advice before seeking God’s truth. I research the issue before praying. I worry instead of trusting. I try to do it on my own instead of with God’s help.
Matthew witnesses an account of Jesus walking on water amid rough waves in a lake, following directly after Jesus performed a miracle of feeding the 5,000+ crowd earlier that day. Amidst the raging waves, Peter decides to walk out to Jesus. Risking getting out of the safety of the boat, he places faith in Jesus, knowing even his small faith will keep him safe. When Peter was on his way to Jesus, he took his gaze off Jesus and fixated on his fear, doubting God’s power and allowing what he saw around him to overtake his faith in God. Let’s read the passage…
Matthew 14:24-33
The boat was already a considerable distance from land, buffeted by the waves because the wind was against it.
Shortly before dawn Jesus went out to them, walking on the lake. When the disciples saw him walking on the lake, they were terrified. “It’s a ghost,” they said, and cried out in fear. 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!” Immediately Jesus reached out his hand and caught him. “You of little faith,” he said, “why did you doubt?” And when they climbed into the boat, the wind died down. Then those who were in the boat worshiped him, saying, “Truly you are the Son of God.”
Did you notice, when Peter started sinking down into the water, Jesus reached to pull him out immediately. Even with Peter’s distracted thoughts, causing him to question God, Jesus still was there to help catch him at just the right moment. Jesus was there with Peter the entire time, but wanted to see how Peter would trust Him and if he would remain focused, even when all around was turbulent. Even though Peter began to doubt, Jesus still remained understanding and loving.
An interesting fact, Matthew is the only book out of the Gospels that records Peter as walking on the water to Jesus. Mark and John mention Jesus walking on water, but Matthew is the only one that mentioned both Peter and Jesus. It’s intriguing to take note how certain events impact certain people different ways. This moment must have influenced Matthew greatly to have mentioned it in his writing.
I don’t know about you, but when I am enduring through a trial, I can perceive God as unavailable, absent, unconcerned and unloving. We can view our situation being left unresolved as feeling like God doesn’t care enough to fix it. Instead, it’s important to remember that Jesus cares for our every need, just as much as we do. When a situation feels unresolved to us, God is still working. He’s been focused on our needs all along, sitting with us every moment, present in the storm, concerned for our best and offering us love every step along the way. Instead, we are the ones that often get distracted and doubt.
If you find yourself in a time of stepping out in faith, trusting God to help you through a storm, don’t perceive it as God allowing heartache to harm you. God is using this painful, yet beneficial, struggle to help you trust and rely on Him. This trial is not being wasted. This trial is intentionally shaping and helping you grow your character. This trial may one day be used to help you relate and encourage someone enduring through a similar issue.
Don’t allow Satan to get you distracted, stealing your gaze from Jesus and allowing you to become caught in fear, that you lose sight of Jesus loving and encouraging you with every step. Remain focused on God, rely on Him first and rest knowing He is in control of your situation. Even in those circumstances that you never dreamed or desired to be a part of your story, God intended them to be a part of your life, shaping you for a very purposeful reason. Let the difficulties, tragedies and happy moments of your life be a part of your anthem, using your life to glorify God for His faithfulness and power! You may not realize yet how this trial is growing you, but you will see the eternal reward one day!