Faith Over Fear: Trusting Jesus In Life’s Storms
Overcoming Fear, Distraction, And Doubt By Keeping Our Eyes On Jesus Through Life's Storms
It was my first jump from a perfectly good airplane. At 3,500 feet, we were approaching the jump zone. The jumpmaster swung open the side door of the C-130, and I watched, both amazed and anxious, as he leaned out, gripping the edge of the opening with one hand, his body partially extending into the open air.
With the other hand, he carefully moved his hand over the exterior for any sharp edges that might catch a jumper’s chute. This death-defying inspection was done without a parachute – just him, out there, seemingly unfazed by the drop below.
A moment later, the light next to the door shifted from red to green. It was time to jump. The jumpmaster’s voice rang out: “Stand up!” I flashed back to a training video I had seen, where a soldier prepared for his first jump. The camera panned down, revealing a sizable wet stain on the front of his pants. He had peed himself.
I couldn’t help but wonder: What if there’s a malfunction? What if my reserve chute fails, too? What would I do if my chute became tangled with another jumper?
“Hook up!” the jumpmaster ordered. I snapped my static line in place and felt my heart race as I stepped to the door. It was a bright, sunny day, but it felt like night. My eyes were shut tight, bracing for what was about to come. Then, I jumped.
I learned a great lesson that day. Sometimes, we have to face our fears, embrace the adventure, and take the plunge. But what holds us back from risking it all? How do we overcome our fears? What do we do when we doubt the new chapter of life God is writing is for us? How do we keep our eyes focused on the goal when everything is trying to distract us?
In Matthew 14:22 – 32, Peter steps out of the boat in an extraordinary act of faith, trusting Jesus despite the storm surrounding him. But as soon as he focuses on the wind and waves, he begins to sink. Much like Peter, we often find ourselves in turbulent times – slumping economies, threats of war, natural disasters – and we, too, struggle to keep our eyes on Jesus. In these moments, it’s easy to become overwhelmed by fear, doubts, and distractions. But the same Jesus who called Peter out of the boat is calling us today.
What keeps us from stepping out in faith? What causes us to cling to the boat’s safety rather than trust Jesus?
I. Dispelling Disillusionment
When the disciples saw Jesus walking on the water, they mistook Him for a ghost, letting fear magnify their problems. Like them, we often make our challenges seem bigger than they are. Our minds create worst-case scenarios, and fear clouds our judgment. But Peter’s disillusionment had to be dispelled before he could get out of the boat. He needed to recognize that Jesus – his Savior – stood before him, not a ghost.
In the same way, we must know Jesus deeply to recognize His presence amid life’s storms. Like Secret Service agents who study real currency to spot counterfeits, we must become so familiar with Jesus through a personal relationship that we can distinguish His voice from the noise of false promises. We will only have the courage to step out in faith by genuinely knowing Him.
II. Defeating Distractions
Peter walked on water when his eyes were on Jesus, but as soon as he focused on the storm, he began to sink. Distractions, whether they are obvious – like the storm in Peter’s case – or more subtle, can pull us away from Jesus, the source of our power. In today’s world, distractions abound. Fear of economic collapse, political instability, and the daily grind can overwhelm us. Even good things, like busy schedules and noble projects, can keep us from focusing on Christ.
Jesus tells us, “Seek first the kingdom of God” (Matthew 6:33). We must align our priorities with His, careful not to let anything – even good things – distract us from our primary purpose: following Him.
III. Destroying Doubt
When Peter and the disciples finally recognized Jesus for who He was – the Son of God – they worshipped Him. But how long will we wait before calling on Jesus in the storms of life? Too often, we doubt His ability or delay trusting Him until we’ve exhausted our solutions. Like Peter, we must destroy the doubts that keep us from trusting Jesus fully.
Storms may not always disappear immediately, but we are secure as long as Jesus is with us. He doesn’t permanently remove the trials but walks us through them. Our faith isn’t built on earthly leaders or temporary solutions – elections won’t save us. Jesus alone is our Savior, and only by placing our trust entirely in Him can we walk through life’s storms without sinking.
Conclusion
Søren Kierkegaard, a Danish philosopher and theologian, called following Jesus a “leap of faith,” much like stepping out of a boat into the unknown. Are you ready to risk it all and trust Him, even when the world is chaotic? Don’t let fear, distractions, or doubt keep you from fully trusting Jesus. Whatever storms you’re facing—personal or global – Jesus calls you to step out in faith and trust Him.
He is waiting. So, come – leave the boat and walk on the water. Jesus says you can do it. Keep your eyes on Him. As you contemplate this call to step out in faith, consider the profound transformation that awaits you. Accepting Jesus into your life is not just a decision; it’s an invitation to experience His unwavering love and guidance through every storm. If you’re ready to take that leap, to trust Him fully, and to embrace the new life He offers, I invite you to pray this heartfelt prayer.
Prayer to Accept Jesus
Jesus, I acknowledge You as my Savior, the one who willingly sacrificed His life for my salvation. Your redemptive power fills me with hope, and I place my unwavering trust in You. With a humble heart, I accept Your grace and forgiveness, knowing I am made whole and reconciled with the Father through Your sacrifice. Grant me the strength to live a life worthy of Your calling, to love unconditionally, and to serve as a reflection of Your mercy. Thank you, Lord, for Your boundless mercy, which I embrace with a grateful heart.
“Take heart; it is I. Do not be afraid.” – Matthew 14:27.
Here are Christian strategies for dealing with disappointment.
