Many of us struggle from time to time. The Bible even tells us that we will face persecution, trials, and temptation; however, the Bible never talks about how we need to feel defeated about a trying situation or the storms of life that come our way. It never talks about that because we were not made to be or to feel defeated. In fact, the Bible says that we are more than conquerors and have been given victory through Jesus Christ our Savior. The Bible also tells us that we are to be doers and not just hearers of the Word, so knowing who we are is not enough. We have to actually apply that knowledge to our lives.
In the midst of a storm, sometimes it can be difficult to focus on what truly matters. However, when we focus more on God and less on the circumstances surrounding us, the trials really don’t seem all that bad. When our perfect and holy God is the center of our lives and gets all of our attention, everything else just seems to fade into the background. It’s as if God is so big that His mere presence pushes everything else out of our lives because there is only room for Him.
Matthew 14:24-32 states:
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.
When Peter had his focus on Christ, Peter just walked right over the water. Yet the moment he lost focus, he began to sink. If we look at the water as the circumstances of life that can overwhelm us and make us feel like we’re drowning, then we are just like Peter. Focusing on Christ will allow you to walk right over those circumstances with only bottom of your feet being touched by them. Notice also that the storm didn’t stop when Peter began to walk on the water, yet he was still able to do so regardless of the wind and the waves raging around him; in fact it was only when he shifted his focus from Jesus to the waves that he began to sink. Are you focused on Christ and walking, or are you focused on the waves around you and sinking?
Have faith in Christ and know that He will always carry you over your circumstances. He won’t let you be overcome by them just like He didn’t let Peter be overcome by the violent waves and strong wind. Even if you do falter and begin to sink, He will save you just as He did Peter. Remind yourself constantly that your circumstances cannot defeat you, and focusing on Christ allows you to have power over them. You are an overcomer by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of your testimony. You are more than a conqueror and have been given victory through Jesus Christ. I leave you with this challenge: the next time a problem tries to tell you how big it is, remind it that your God is so much bigger. Never lose focus of Who is truly important, and always magnify Him over your circumstances.
