Fear or Faith? By Charles Stanly – In Touch Ministries - MATTHEW 14:22-33
Many believers will go through life missing divine opportunities because they are afraid to live as God intends. Fear can paralyze us into inaction -- then our life fills with lost chances to serve, minister, or see the Lord's work up close. Consider the 11 disciples who stayed in the boat when Peter got out and walked to Jesus. How many times must each man have regretted choosing safety over the intense joy of stepping on water next to the Son of God? But Andrew, John, and the others missed their opportunity. Unfortunately, many Christians stay in the boat all their lives too. At the end, these same folks probably wonder why their lives seem empty.
We easily succumb to fear's potency when we attempt to endure trouble in our own strength. We were not created to live in such a way. God designed us to function best when we allow Jesus Christ's divine power to supplant our weakness. As he stood on the surface of the Sea of Galilee, Peter looked around at the fierce wind and remembered that no human can walk on water. His own strength was inadequate to keep him afloat, and he quickly sank. Jesus' greater power was sufficient to lift Peter from the sea and carry them both safely to the boat.
Apprehension can paralyze the believer and consequently freeze the Lord's plan. But responding with faith to God's directions unleashes divine power and sets His work into motion. The moment that we step out of the boat and move away from the familiar boundaries of our limited strength, we walk by faith.
scw comments: Hey Hoody, here’s someone who focused on Peter actually getting out of the boat first! (lol) (We just read the passage of scripture where Peter walks on water for the Daily office) God will so often put us in scary situations, and then call us out of our comfort zones. Have to remember, Jesus was the one who put the disciples in the boat. I have learned this lesson time and time again from personal experiences. I am after all the asthmatic who hates getting in front of people who God called to sing for church specials. And I confess, many times I will refuse God at first because of fear and trepidation. But the Holy Spirit continues to work inside of me, prompting me, encouraging me, reassuring me God is at work so that I have the courage to do it. I’m more like Moses in that way. (lol) But I’m working on the doing it right away when God first asks. Peter was always willing and quick to follow Jesus. Jesus said “Follow me”, Peter dropped everything and followed him. Jesus told Peter to cast his nets for fish when they had just come up empty. Peter was honest in admitting he didn’t get it but since Jesus said it he’d do it. That’s what I want my first response to be, “Since You said it God, I’ll do it.”
Many believers will go through life missing divine opportunities because they are afraid to live as God intends. Fear can paralyze us into inaction -- then our life fills with lost chances to serve, minister, or see the Lord's work up close. Consider the 11 disciples who stayed in the boat when Peter got out and walked to Jesus. How many times must each man have regretted choosing safety over the intense joy of stepping on water next to the Son of God? But Andrew, John, and the others missed their opportunity. Unfortunately, many Christians stay in the boat all their lives too. At the end, these same folks probably wonder why their lives seem empty.
We easily succumb to fear's potency when we attempt to endure trouble in our own strength. We were not created to live in such a way. God designed us to function best when we allow Jesus Christ's divine power to supplant our weakness. As he stood on the surface of the Sea of Galilee, Peter looked around at the fierce wind and remembered that no human can walk on water. His own strength was inadequate to keep him afloat, and he quickly sank. Jesus' greater power was sufficient to lift Peter from the sea and carry them both safely to the boat.
Apprehension can paralyze the believer and consequently freeze the Lord's plan. But responding with faith to God's directions unleashes divine power and sets His work into motion. The moment that we step out of the boat and move away from the familiar boundaries of our limited strength, we walk by faith.
scw comments: Hey Hoody, here’s someone who focused on Peter actually getting out of the boat first! (lol) (We just read the passage of scripture where Peter walks on water for the Daily office) God will so often put us in scary situations, and then call us out of our comfort zones. Have to remember, Jesus was the one who put the disciples in the boat. I have learned this lesson time and time again from personal experiences. I am after all the asthmatic who hates getting in front of people who God called to sing for church specials. And I confess, many times I will refuse God at first because of fear and trepidation. But the Holy Spirit continues to work inside of me, prompting me, encouraging me, reassuring me God is at work so that I have the courage to do it. I’m more like Moses in that way. (lol) But I’m working on the doing it right away when God first asks. Peter was always willing and quick to follow Jesus. Jesus said “Follow me”, Peter dropped everything and followed him. Jesus told Peter to cast his nets for fish when they had just come up empty. Peter was honest in admitting he didn’t get it but since Jesus said it he’d do it. That’s what I want my first response to be, “Since You said it God, I’ll do it.”
posted by T @ 2:47 PM
1 Comments:
Yes much akin to the introvert writer called to the campaign trail and the pulpit--God likes to enlarge our comfort zones.
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