You Won't Drown!

“Before our problems ever began, God already solved them. He saw the beginning, middle, and end before the storm ever came."

I recently shared this on one of the private prayer groups I belong to. When we are going through difficult times it is easy to only see the mountain before us. It is easy to miss that our mountains are just pebbles in comparison to God. There is truly nothing that we can’t face with Him on our side. Romans 8:37 “No, despite all these things, overwhelming victory is ours through Christ, who loved us.” We will all go through hard times. (John 16:33) There is no way around that. However how can we not only get through those times, but have victory? Matthew 14 gives a lot of insight.

Matthew 14:24-33 says, "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?”

 When they climbed back into the boat, the wind stopped. Then the disciples worshiped him. “You really are the Son of God!” they exclaimed.” Many things stick out in this portion of scripture, but I’m going to touch base on just 5 of them.

A storm appeared out of nowhere.

Verse 24 says “a strong wind had risen” Storms usually don’t send save the date cards. They rise up when we don’t expect them. One day everything is great and the next day it’s like our world has fallen apart.

Jesus showed up in the storm.

When Jesus came to them walking on the water the wind and waves were still raging. Many times when this story is portrayed it’s this angelic version where everything is peaceful and the bible does not say this. Jesus showed up when “all hell was still breaking loose” and He showed up in a way they didn’t expect. When we are asking God to get us out of or through a situation, He may not show up the way we imagined. We have to fight against trust with limitations. God I believe you’ll help me, but only if it fits in my nice square box. Jesus showed up in a way that destroyed the box.

Peter had to step out of the boat to get to Jesus.

The waves did not stop when Jesus came and when Peter put his feet on top of the water. When God has us step out in faith it may be at a time that seems the most turbulent. Why would God do this? Stepping out in faith when things are at their worst is how you can be assured it really is true faith. It’s easy to trust God when things are great, there’s money in the bank, and everyone’s healthy. However, will we change that tune when you’re down to your last $20 and God says to give it away? Will we still trust God when our child is sick in the hospital? True trust is not based on our circumstances but anchored in who God is, His character. God says He is love, so I am anchored to that in the midst of racial injustice. (1 John 4:8) God says He is just, so I am tethered to that when the criminal that hurt my child goes free. (Ps 25:8) As the circumstances change the character of God doesn’t. He is the one constant in all of life.

Peter sank when he took his eyes off Jesus.

Peter started to sink when he noticed what was going on around him and not that Jesus was still in front of him. When we have to hold certain exercises, the trainer will encourage us to pick a spot and stare at it. Keep your eyes focused on that one thing. Before you know it, you held a 60 second plank or squat. The focus on that one spot faded everything else into the background. Focusing our eyes on Jesus makes everything else fade into the background and we are able to get through. Moreover the more we are able to teach ourselves to focus, the easier it gets and the stronger we get. Just like we continue to build physical muscle, we build spiritual muscles by reading the word, and time in worship and prayer.

Jesus didn’t let Peter drown.

Despite Peter’s shortcoming, Jesus pulled him to safety. When Peter cried to the Lord Jesus didn’t say “Too bad so sad. Shoulda believed!” No. He immediately helped Him. When we fall, always fall towards Jesus and not away. Psalm 18:6 says “In my distress I called to the LORD; I cried to my God for help. From His temple He heard my voice; my cry came before Him, into his ears.” Now we don’t know if Peter’s head went under or the water only got to his waist before Jesus got him out, but He did get him out. When we cry to God it may feel like we are done for, but He will always show up in time.

The storm stopped and they worshipped Jesus. Our storms are meant to give glory to God and not ourselves. When the storm stopped AFTER they got back in the boat they knew who Jesus really was. Our storms are a testimony to point others to Christ.

Maybe you’re going through a storm right now. Maybe it feels like it will never end. Take courage that God already has an ending worked out to His glory if we will trust Him. Trusting through a storm is not easy, however it can be done because nothing is impossible with God. (Mt 19:26) Trusting God through our circumstances is how we get victory. Many times I had to write scriptures down and say them through my tears. I had to keep quoting scriptures until my heart and mind caught up with my spirit. I have had to reach out and get prayer at all times of the day. I have CBN’s prayer hotline programmed in my phone! You do what you need to do to keep your eyes on Jesus. Feeling weak in times of trouble is when He is strong for us. Yet, we don't give up because He has promised us victory. (2 Cor 12:9-10)