And Peter answered him, “Lord, if it is you, command me to come to you on the water.” 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.” Jesus immediately reached out his hand and took hold of him, saying to him, “O you of little faith, why did you doubt?”

Matthew 14:28-31

Most of us are familiar with the scene described in the verses above.  During a storm on the Sea of Galilee, Jesus joined his disciples by walking on the water and Peter did what Peter did. He raised his hand and said, Pick me!

Peter was bold enough to take the first step himself (it’s worth noting that no one else displayed such courage). As long as Peter focused on Christ, he was safe and sound, but when he was distracted by the storm, his doubts resurfaced and Peter began to sink.

There is an obvious parallel for each of us today as we face the ups and downs and storms of life. Focusing on the problem doesn’t really help, does it? Keeping our eyes on the solution sees us through the storm.

This scenario provided yet another opportunity for Peter to trust in Christ and not in his circumstances. Let’s recognize and embrace the fact that Jesus wants to encourage and strengthen us even in our failure. He has not given up on us.