Do Not Be Afraid of Failing – Part Three
“Come,” he said. Then Peter got down out of the boat, walked on the water and came toward Jesus. (Matthew 14:29)
The Bible says, ‘“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 towards 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’ (vv. 28-31).
When you know that you have prayed, prepared, and planned, you must step out and do it. It’s normal to experience fear when you attempt something you have never done before. Perhaps you have read the story of Peter’s attempt to walk on the water and judged him a failure. That’s not so.
First, Peter gets an A for being willing to leave his safety zone and do what he had never done before.
Second, he experienced the exhilaration of actually walking on water if for only a fleeting moment; no other disciple could boast of that.
Third, he learned a valuable lesson: focusing on Jesus rather than your circumstances is essential when attempting the impossible.
Fourth, he recognized that his survival depended solely on Jesus.
‘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’ (vv. 30-31). Jesus didn’t condemn Peter for failing, He just told him he needed to develop greater faith. God won’t let you drown in your mistakes. As long as you keep trusting Him, He will keep working with you until you succeed. He is your heavenly Father, and your success is His success!
Prayer
Heavenly Father, keep me focused on You and help me to know that YOU’VE GOT ME! In Jesus’ name, Amen.
ITTT
Thank for the multi part devotionals on fear. I am faced with a surgery that I do not want to have. I am having a pain mgt pump put in. Due to new laws pain mgt pts no longer are given and in some respects being “black mailed” into it. This gives complete control to the doctors and nurses, and none to the patient.
I have prayed, and used every skill God gave me to find another way. God blessed me with the gift of a medical mind. For the first time thru many procedures and surgeries, I know I will be terrified and might even shed a tear (which I normally don’t do). I can only trust in God that this will go well.
Thank you for all you do, and the help from across the the miles over the years.