He said, "Come." So Peter got out of the boat and walked on the water and came to Jesus. But when he saw the wind, he was afraid, and beginning to sink he cried out, "Lord, save me." Matthew 14:29-30 ESV
Fear causes us to sink when we chose to dwell on the struggles and the trials we face rather than on Jesus. We cannot ignore the difficulties in our life and just hope they disappear, and we also cannot let them become bigger than the glory of Christ.
When everything that we truly care about is made up of only that which we can see and touch, our sense of well-being is all over the place. Our peace and joy become slaves to our circumstances, and as we all know, those circumstances will change on a dime!
If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth. Colossians 3:1-2
Whether our lives are moving along just fine, or we are facing death itself, we all must learn to look beyond ourselves and our little world and find peace and joy in the only place we can -- the glorious presence of our majestic creator!
For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison, as we look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen.For the things that are seen are transient, but the things that are unseen are eternal. 2 Corinthians 4:17-18
Deal with life as you need to but DWELL on God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit. Open the Word of God and let it take you into the arms of your heavenly Father. Face what you must in this world and always run to Him. Let Him be your Joy! Let Him be your Peace!
As this becomes a pattern in your life and your circumstances affect you less and less, then you will be free to share His love with the world. There is only one thing better than finding God as your Joy and peace and that is sharing Him with everyone!
God bless you church! I'll leave you with this scripture passage to help you begin focusing on the glory of our Father.
For you formed my inward parts; you knitted me together in my mother's womb. I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Wonderful are your works; my soul knows it very well. My frame was not hidden from you, when I was being made in secret, intricately woven in the depths of the earth. Your eyes saw my unformed substance; in your book were written, every one of them, the days that were formed for me, when as yet there was none of them. How precious to me are your thoughts, O God! How vast is the sum of them! If I would count them, they are more than the sand. I awake, and I am still with you. Psalms 139:13-18 ESV
Doug Hampson
Vero Bible Fellowship Elder Team