“Meanwhile, the disciples were in trouble far away from land, for a strong wind had risen, and they were fighting heavy waves. 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.
Jesus immediately reached out and grabbed him. “You have so little faith,” Jesus said. “Why did you doubt me?”” – Matthew 14:24-31
After listening to Jesus preach, Peter finally got it. He knew that if Jesus called Him to do something, He could do it.
So, He asked Jesus to call him. And Jesus did. And Peter got out of the boat. It was only when Peter took His eyes off Jesus that he began to doubt.
The antidote to doubt is faith…keeping your eyes on Christ.
Jesus was always working on growing His disciples’ faith. Here’s another example:
“Then Jesus got into the boat and started across the lake with his disciples. Suddenly, a fierce storm struck the lake, with waves breaking into the boat. But Jesus was sleeping. The disciples went and woke him up, shouting, “Lord, save us! We’re going to drown!”
Jesus responded, “Why are you afraid? You have so little faith!” Then he got up and rebuked the wind and waves, and suddenly there was a great calm. – Matthew 8:23-26
The disciples had Jesus with them in the boat. Clearly they were in the right place, doing what they were supposed to be doing. Until they lost sight of Who was in the boat and watched the storm instead.
Again, the antidote to doubt (fear/distrust in God) is faith.
God has shown me this over and over again. We’re like toddlers who need to continuously hear the same message lest we forget.
Since I left my job and took on writing full time, I flipflop between moments of complete peace and doubt. But, whenever I doubt, God reminds me.
This past weekend, my husband, Rick, went to his parents’ house to pick through boxes of his stuff they’d been storing for him all these years. Before I tell you what he found, let me give you a little background.
Rick is my first boyfriend from high school. I had been saved when I was visiting Florida at age twelve. Once I returned home, I didn’t attend church or follow God in any way. Rick wasn’t a believer at all. We both went off, married different people, made lots of mistakes, got divorces, then met again, and got married eight years ago.
So, Rick pulls a Bible out of the box and laughs like I’ve never heard him laugh before. Then he shows me…inside the cover, written in my kid handwriting, was my maiden name and address from before high school, when I still lived in Massachusetts.
Neither one of us could believe it.
I’d shared my faith with him? I gave him my Bible? And he kept it all these years?
And that Bible made an appearance? Now? After thirty years?
The Bible is in great condition. Sadly, I don’t think either one of us read much of it. But, to us, it was a beautiful reminder from God that a) He has a sense of humor, b) He’s in control of everything, and c) He knew from the very beginning that we would be saved and together.
Why do I doubt?
I love that God speaks to us. He knows what we each need individually to help grow our faith to squelch the doubts. We just need to pay attention.
“For I know the plans I have for you,” says the Lord. “They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope.” -Jeremiah 29:11
Why do you doubt? The antidote is faith. I’ve shared this before and I’ll share it again because it’s that good…Andy Stanley’s messages, Five Things God Uses to Grow Your Faith, particularly the one on personal ministry.
Ask God to lead you, then step out of the boat. Walk to Jesus. Keep your eyes on Him.
You are loved,
J F Rogers