BY AMY WALTON |
Once upon a time there was a man who was afraid of the wind, and he nearly sank under his fear.
He was one of the first disciples to follow Jesus. He was present on the mountain when the Lord was transfigured. He was the first to acknowledge Jesus as the Messiah. He’s the one whom the Lord declared the “rock;” and besides our Savior, he may very well be the most prominent figure in the gospels.
Yes, I am talking about Simon Peter.
If you’re familiar with the gospels, you know Peter promised he’d never deny the man he left everything to follow. And yet, he did fail to acknowledge Him three times before the cock crowed.
Peter is considered the bedrock of the church, the one to whom Jesus handed over the keys to the kingdom, and he authored two epistles that are found in the New Testament (1 and 2 Peter).
But Peter’s faith was also shaky, not unlike yours and mine.
In Matthew’s gospel, after feeding the five thousand, the Lord departed the disciples and went to a place to pray, telling them to get in the boat where he’d been and to go to the other side. Once they’d traveled a good distance out, the wind became fierce, rocking and tossing the boat against the waves. Terrified, the group of twelve looked out and saw someone walking on water!
They thought it was a ghost, but then they heard Jesus say, “Take courage! It is I. Don’t be afraid.” (Matthew 14:27)
Peter—one of the first followers, witness to the Transfiguration, and the one who would deny the Lord three times—called out and asked for proof that the speaking figure really was the Lord.
So the Savior beckoned him… and Peter stepped out of the boat, walking on water toward the one he proclaimed the Messiah.
But the wind… the wind frightened the disciple, and he began to sink beneath the waves, asking the Lord to save him.
So, Jesus took Peter’s hand, saved him, and asked, “You of little faith, why did you doubt?”
Why DID he doubt? Why do WE doubt Jesus at times?
And right now, in your own life, what is your “wind?”
The swirling forces in our lives that we allow to instill fear in us might be our children’s safety, a health issue we are navigating, financial uncertainties, the current state of global affairs… I know we can all add to this list. These storms happen throughout our lives, and we often have a hard admitting that some were caused by us—mismanaging money, for example, or having health issues brought on by bad habits. Regardless, though, the “winds” can paralyze us with fear. We too often immediately lean into them rather than first leaning into Him.
A couple years ago a dear friend began experiencing some issues with her left hand and arm, thinking it was a pinched nerve. It was Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis—ALS (also known as Lou Gehrig’s Disease). I watched the progression of this awful condition in her for nearly two years until her passing this past winter. The fear in the early months following her diagnosis was palpable. You could see it in her face and her tears, and you could hear it in her voice. We talked alot about those fears, especially knowing her time with her family and on this earth would soon be over.
Toward the end, though, as the disease robbed her of swallowing, moving, and breathing, she settled into a place of sweet peace with Jesus and surrendered to His loving arms as she awaited His call. Her courage, grace, and strength remain a source of inspiration for me as I tackle my own seemingly petty winds when compared to hers.
Did my friend sink beneath her fear?
No.
She sailed with the wind, knowing she had zero control and– to borrow the title of a Carrie Underwood hit song– she let Jesus take the wheel.
Friend, I don’t know what gales you’re caught in, but I do know this: When the wind starts howling and fear starts to grab hold of us, it’s human nature to be afraid; but like Peter, we step out of the boat and put one foot in front of the other.
Unlike him, we need to stay focused on the Savior in our storms and not allow ourselves to sink.
Again, I ask, what is your “wind?”
Call it. Take that step out of the rocking boat of fear. Keep your eyes on the Risen Lord. Call to Him and let Him guide you through your storm and give you peace.
Easier said than done. I know.
Peter started to sink, but he called out to Jesus, and the Lord guided him.
Keep the faith. Drop your anchor deep in Christ. Let Him take the wheel.
Sail with the wind!
About the author
Amy Walton is a certified life coach, certified Christian life coach, speaker, and writer who has lived in coastal Virginia for nearly 30 years. A native of Mayodan, North Carolina, she was baptized, confirmed, and raised in Mayodan Moravian Church, where she remains an Associate Member. Connect with her at www.HolyGrounding.com or [email protected].
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