When You Feel Like You’re Going Under

by February 14, 2016

Matthew 14:22-33

When the winds of life are blowing out of control, it’s difficult to see beyond what lies directly ahead. Sometimes the trials that loom seem insurmountable. I’ve seen my share of wind and waves, and I know what it’s like to be knocked down and feel like you are nearly drowning by the heaviness of life. Life is full of difficult seasons. Some are long and some are short, but one thing we all have in common is that we all have times when we struggle through stormy seasons.

I don’t know about you, but when it comes to storms and trials I’m so much like Peter. I start out determined to have faith. I want to take big strides toward God and make it known that I love Him fearlessly. I would like to imagine that I would have been the one who ran to the edge of the boat and stepped out on the water.

When I take the first step, I’m amazed and in awe of God and His power. I notice the way He controls my life and carries me through the difficult stuff. But then there comes a point when a wave begins to make me feel unsteady. I feel the impact of the next wave and then I look. When I see the tide rolling faster toward me and feel the wind against my face, I’m bombarded by fear and nearly taken down. In that final moment I look to the Lord and cry out like Peter, “Lord, save me!”

When Peter stepped out of the boat he started out with the right motive and heart’s desire – to get to Jesus. When He saw the wind, the waves, and the water, he panicked. Just like you and just like me, panic struck his mind. His eyes became focused on the sea, and He immediately forgot about the Savior.

And then he heard the words, “O you of little faith, why did you doubt?”

It’s like a punch in the gut. I don’t mean to doubt. In the depths of my heart I would like to think I don’t truly doubt, oh but I do. Just like Peter I focus on the sea, and forget everything I know to be true.

What I really want is to run to the side of the boat, step out on the water, and walk all the way to Jesus. I want to get all the way to Him without stopping for a season of worry or fear.

Peter took a huge leap of faith when he took the first step. I believe He had faith, but somewhere between the second step and Jesus, Peter forgot why he stepped out of the boat. I do the same thing. I take a step, and I forget. I get sidetracked by obstacles and wind, and I begin to worry and sink. I want to be with Jesus and rest safe in His arms, but with so many waves coming from every direction it’s really difficult not to get side tracked and taken under.

I don’t know what is taking you down this week, but I know this – Jesus controls the wind, the waves, and the water. He’s with you in the sea that seems to be out of control, and He knows every wave that nearly takes you down.

So what do we do in the midst of the stormy sea:

1. Look to Jesus.

Fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Hebrews 12:2(NASB)

2. Don’t panic.

Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid. John 14:27(ESV)

3. Rest in His embrace.

Return, O my soul, to your rest; for the LORD has dealt bountifully with you. Psalm 116:7(ESV)

When I remember what God has done in the past it’s easy to step out of the boat. What has God done for you in your life?

Maybe you’re in the midst of the sea right now. Just remember – The waves of the sea may never completely calm down, but the Savior can completely calm you down. Look to Him. Don’t panic. Rest in His sweet embrace.

It’s time to run to the side of the boat and get all the way to Jesus.

Love & Blessings,

Micah

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  1. Encouraging words today, Micah, for those who have stepped out of their boat of safety and sameness to walk toward Jesus — and now wonder what they’ve gotten themselves into! I’m always blessed in this space. Thank you.

  2. God bless you for your words Micah. A dear friend shared this post on Facebook and I know she meant it for me. I am so blessed by your words and insight. I’m reading through past posts now and have subscribed to your blog.

    I have struggled with depression for many years but it seems to worsen with age, and having just lost my father to suicide because of Alzheimer’s, I’m at a new low and can’t seem to pull myself up. Thank you.

    1. Jenny, I’m so happy to have you as a part of this beautiful community! I’m so sorry to hear about your father. I just cannot even imagine the pain you are dealing with. I will pray for you today, Jenny! I will pray that God’s peace would pour over your hurting heart and that you would feel God’s comfort deep within. Hugs!

  3. Yes, I’ve been there, too. Feeling like nothing is going good and won’t. But, God is so wonderful, we have just to look next to us, He is there. Thank you for your words, sharing your heart!

  4. Amen! Thank you for the encouraging reminder to take shelter in Christ, during the storms of life. Wishing you a blessed week!

  5. I love this retelling of the story of Peter! I especially liked your description of feeling punched in the gut by the words of Jesus to Peter when he looked down and doubted. Right on target, Micah! Thanks!

  6. Isn’t that so common how our faith seems to sink when storms hit. This is one of my favorite verses that I have to turn to often, so thank you for reminded me I’m not alone in my lack of courage and faith! I wrote a bit about this verse today –so it’s up for me! Nice visiting today from #smallwonder!

  7. Oh Micah! I actually chuckled when I started reading your 2nd paragraph. That describes me too! I start out determined with a bold faith, then worry and doubt creep in. I am experiencing this right now, and your post was exactly what I needed. I want to get ALL the way to Jesus! Blessings, sweet friend:)

  8. Micah oh those storms. You are so correct some are short and some are long, but one thing I have learned in my storms is I could not get through them without Him. How people do that I will never understand. It’s only through His loving arms we can walk through these storms. Beautiful!

  10. Micah, I find that I have to constantly remind myself to look to Jesus during my stormy seasons. It takes effort to do so when the waves are throwing me under but knowing that God will not let me go under helps me ride through it. Very much love and appreciate your words of encouragement for those going through a stormy time.

  11. This is great because all of us has experienced this one way of the other.
    I remember this quote, “When we’re down to something, God is up to something.”

  13. Yeah, Micah! These words have me cheering. Especially this line: “The waves of the sea may never completely calm down, but the Savior can completely calm you down.” How’s that for calm? : P

    Thank you for these words today. It seems I’ve been looking far off at the big waves way out and started to doubt lately. Thank you for helping to avert my gaze to the Lord!

    Blessings!

  14. Micah, I love this post. I so want to be a Paul, but most days am more like Peter. At least, that’s what I think of myself until I am challenged to look back, like you did in this post. Then, I can see all of the Paul moments amidst the Peter one’s of doubt and insecurity. Little by little, the way I see doubt is shifting. The doubts are getting bigger, but I am getting stronger through the Spirit at harnessing that thougt process and whipping it back around in fortitude for Christ. “The waves of the sea may never completely calm down, but the Savior can completely calm you down.” Amen. I love that so much.
    Happy Wednesday!
    Megs

    1. I love hearing your thoughts on this, Meg! Isn’t it interesting how the things we used to doubt seem so small in comparison to the larger things ahead. I love the way you put it by saying, “Through the Spirit harnessing that thought process.” That’s the key, isn’t it?! Awesome.

  15. I heard a pastor say that Jesus wasn’t condemning the quality or quantity of Peter’s faith, but the duration of it. That is, Peter had faith, it just evaporated when he focused on the waves. I think that’s so often what we do. Yes, we trust and believe God… but when we look at the “waves” we go down. Reminds me of the importance of Col 3… set your eyes on things above, not earthly things.

  17. I think I could have written this post myself, especially the part about wanting to say I don’t doubt, but really I do. Thank you for the encouragement and for sharing your heart. These are great reminders for growing our faith and lessening the doubt.

  18. Thank you, Micah! 1. Look to Jesus. 2. Don’t panic. 3. Rest in His embrace. #1 is where I mess up, taking my eyes off him in the first place. Walking along with you and trying to keep looking to Jesus today.

  19. Such great encouragement, Micah. Stepping outside of our comfort to reach out to Jesus. Sometimes, I wish we could have been there to see all of this happen. But we have to step outside of the boat all the time in the middle of the storm to reach out to our Savior. Thank you for sharing with us at Sitting Among Friends on Wednesdays. I hope we see you back this week!

  20. Yes! ->Remembering what God has done before gives me the courage to take the next step of faith. #livefree

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