Fear.

Everybody has something they are afraid of. It could be spiders, the new It movie, or even something like losing your loved ones. It really doesn't matter what that fear may be or how silly it may seem to others. To us, our fears are real.

When I was little, I loved to play "Hide and Seek." That was always my go to game. I don't remember how old I was, but one time my sister and her husband were playing the game with me. They were hiding and I was seeking. I looked everywhere and I couldn't find them, and then finally I looked in the hall bathroom but the light was off so I didn't think anybody was in there. Classically, one of them was hiding behind the door and of course jumped out and scared me. Needless to say I was pretty much done for that night.

While this didn't keep me from playing the game that I loved so much, it did brand a permanent fear in my mind; darkness. This of course wasn't their fault. I'm sure I was afraid of the dark long before something slipped out of it.

When I think about fear, I think about Peter - not because Peter was worn with terror - because he wasn’t; but because Peter is just one of the disciples who I relate to more than most of the others. I think of chapter 14 in Matthew when the disciples caught a glimpse of their savior walking on the windy seas. In the midst of a strong storm on a dark night, Jesus called Peter out of the boat. He knew Peter was afraid - as a matter of fact I'm sure they all were, but still He called Peter out. And as soon as Peter's feet hit the waves and his eyes locked with Jesus', all of his fears were exposed right there in a graceful light. His feet stood firm.

But the wind picked up and Peter became aware of his situation and of course began to sink. But before he did, He was a part of something miraculous - a real game changer. He saw both sides of his fear.

You see… it's kind of like a scary movie or a haunted house. When you're there or watching and you have the music and the atmosphere - it gets you. It's scary. But the minute they turn the lights on and you see things for what they really are - it's not that bad. It almost seems comical.

So why is it that we're still afraid?

The game has been changed… forever. On that 3rd day, even death was silenced. And I don't know about you… but I feel like if death can't cast a shadow on my life, then no darkness or matter of the world should be able to either. We stand in victory. It's time we claim the battle Jesus has already won for us. Sometimes the only way fear can be removed is for it to be exposed. That's why we sing songs like "You make me brave. You make me brave. You call me out beyond the shore into the waves…" to speak courage over our scary situations and bring to light the things that have been hidden for too long.

I know it's hard to be content in a place of no fear. But we have got to realize that we serve the same mountain moving, storm calming God as the disciples. Anything He did for them, He'll do for us - and He does - for each and every one of us. Wave after wave, do not be afraid. If the darkness surrounds you, be the light. If something along your journey jumps out unexpectedly, proclaim truth all the way around such an obstacle. But do not be afraid. Our God has won the battle. Expose your fear in such brilliant light that there's no darkness it can possibly linger in. Expose your fear and focus on Him alone as you begin to walk on the waters He's called you to. They may roar but they'd never disobey the sound of His voice.

Wave after wave, our feet stand firm in victory. Let's claim it.