Firestarters: Ignite the Faith WithinExemplo

Going Through the Storm

Storms are a part of following Jesus. I don’t think we tell new Christians this enough. We all need to know what to do when we capsize. Where do we think the storm came from that was on the lake? It was from Jesus. It was all a part of the plan to create the environment he wanted to put the disciples in.

When Jesus got back into the boat, the storm stopped all of a sudden. That could have happened when Peter took his step out of the boat onto the water. Jesus could have turned the sea to glass and the winds to stillness. But that would not have been true to life. Jesus called Peter out during the storm to trust and believe and endure through the waves.

Storms hold the greatest potential for growth in your life. Can you imagine how difficult it was for Peter to step out of the boat for the first time, taking that initial step onto the water, leaving the safety of the boat to the amazement of his companions?

How do you walk in a storm? Keep taking one more step towards Jesus. Just one more step. If you are in a storm right now, the best thing you can do is take just one more step toward Him and fix your eyes on the Saviour.

Doubts are also a part of following Jesus. If you have not experienced a moment of doubt, then you are probably playing it too safe. Have courage and confidence to move through your doubt. Doubt will sink you, but faith wants you to take another step. Don’t feel condemned because of your doubts. Your faith in Jesus is not intimidated by your moment of doubt. Your faith will penetrate your doubt. Sometimes the enemy would have us believe the opposite, that our doubt can eat away at our faith, but faith is far greater and more powerful than doubt.

Peter could never have depended on Jesus in the boat. The boat offers independence and security, but when you step out of the boat, even if you doubt, you throw yourselves into dependency on Jesus. Surely that is far greater than your boat with all the safety it can offer you.

• What comfort is God challenging you to leave behind right now?
• What are the doubts that hold you back?
• How can you overcome those doubts and jump out of that boat?