"Lord, if it's you," Peter replied, "tell me to come to you on the water." —Matt. 14:28.
Part One
I struggle with stress, doubt, and anxiety. Sometimes it's work, school, money, but other times it's my relationships, either to God, family, friends, S.O. I'm glad I'm finally at a place where I worry about the future. Last year, I was consumed in grief and regret over something that happened in the past and how people were treating me. It was betrayal after betrayal. I didn't see past the next day.
I grew up hearing the phrase, "God only gives you what you can handle."
Sure, when you hear it during a time of pain, the saying means nothing.
Yet, the saying relates back to Matthew 6:25-34; the section expresses that one should not worry: "Therefore, do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own." God gives us what we can handle.
Imagine feeling a year's worth of grief, or stress, or pain, or anxiety. Would you be a functioning person?
The message of this section is to not worry about basic needs, like attire and food.
Why?
God will provide more than this.
When I feel anxious, I use a little faith and seek truth.
That means, if I feel overwhelmed by everyday demands, I tell myself God's going to provide a way out of this. Or, if I'm self-loathing, I remind myself that this isn't what God wants for me because that's not how he feels about me. If I'm filled with doubt over a decision or circumstance, I try to take a step back and remember what I know to be true and simples. If I'm doubting God, I stumble, but I pray and eventually find peace and support.
Consider how you find your peace.
Part Two
The Armor of God is supposed to help in moments when one is overwhelmed, or when one is in conflicted with one's seemingly dual nature (good and evil), or when one is facing a mountain (a person or a situation) with little faith.
In these moments, the spiritual combat one may face is that someone or something is trying to rob them of their peace.
Matthew 14 paints the hauntingly beautiful scene of when Christ walks on water, but it's also funny. A storm hits, and Christ is sleeping. The disciples are panicking. Then, Christ appears on the water. He decided to take a stroll.
When the disciples see Christ, they wonder if the figure is a ghost. Surely Christ is not walking on water. This must be a trick.
So, Peter asks if it's Him.
Christ says, "Take Courage! It is I. Don't be afraid (Matt. 14:27)."
Peter needs more than an OK to believe. He needs to test Christ: "Lord, if it's you," Peter replied, "tell me to come to you on the water" (Matt. 14:28).
Christ says, "Come (Matt 14: 29)."
Peter enters into an agreement as soon as he walks off that ship. The catch is, Peter's faith is also being tested. The by-product is experiencing a miracle.
When he demonstrates his readiness to follow Christ onto the water, despite all fear, he is brave and faithful enough to move toward what brings him the most peace: Christ. Christ represents a contrast to everyone's turbulent emotions and the settling of the storm. He is peace. Peter attempts to mimic Christ by walking as he does: in peace.
The reason Peter is able to walk on water is because of his trust and faith in Christ. I imagine that walking on the sea of Galilee felt like walking through a puddle that's on a sidewalk. That is, so long as Peter remains calm and focused, even faithful in Christ, then his foundation (the water) is as solid as a rock.
When Peter is walking on water, his foundation is shaken. He doubts, or, for a moment, regresses into having no peace and little faith. I imagine Peter felt unsafe and remembered the storm. So, what was the result?
Peter sinks.
Christ saves him, but Christ does ask Peter, "Why did you doubt [me] (Matt. 14:X)?
Peter forgot that Christ would provide and protect him.
Luckily, Peter regained his faith and foundation by refocusing and continuing to walk towards Christ Being ready for peace, or to wear shoes of peace, is equal to walking towards Christ, or seeking him. It is what helps calm the storm.
Essentially, when one is overwhelmed, they can wear shoes of peace by doing like Peter did. By enduring a test, remaining in faith, and finding a way to truth and life, despite the storm (or whatever you're going through).
Here are a few songs that might help remind you to guard your peace:
"Even When It Hurts," by Hillsong United; Cover by Leah Samuel.
