Eyes on Jesus | Thursday

Devotional

Peter did something remarkable. When Jesus called Him out onto the water, He went. He actually stepped out of the boat and walked toward Christ on the surface of a stormy sea. That took real courage.

But then he looked around. He saw the wind and the waves, and he began to sink.

Here is what is worth sitting with. Peter did not sink because the storm got worse. He sank because his focus shifted. The moment his eyes moved from Jesus to the chaos around Him, fear took over. 

This is one of the most honest pictures of the Christian life. We are not immune to storms. Jesus never promised we would be. But He did promise that He is enough to keep us. The problem is not usually the size of our storm. It is where we are looking.

Courage in the life of a follower of Jesus is not built on good circumstances or resolved problems. It is built on the character and promises of Christ Himself. He is the great I AM, the same God who spoke to Moses from the burning bush, the eternal and unchanging One who is present with you right now.

When fear rises, the answer is not to try harder. It is to look up.

Bible Verse

"How long, Lord? Will you forget me forever? How long will you hide your face from me?" - Psalm 13:1

Reflection Question

When life gets hard, what do you tend to fix your eyes on instead of Christ, and how does that shift affect your peace?

Quote

Fear has a way of magnifying the storm and minimizing Christ in front of us.

Prayer

Lord, when the waves feel overwhelming, help me to keep my eyes on You. Remind me that Your character does not change with my circumstances. Amen.