SINK
Walking on Water: What Peter's Bold Faith Teaches Us About Trusting Jesus in Life's Storms
Have you ever been caught in a storm without warning? Perhaps you were hiking when unexpected rain drenched you, or maybe you thought you could beat the rain from the store to your car but ended up soaking wet. These unexpected storms can leave us cold, frustrated, and asking "why?"
In our spiritual lives, we often face similar unexpected storms that leave us questioning God's presence and purpose. Today, we'll explore a pivotal moment in Peter's faith journey that teaches us powerful lessons about trusting Jesus when life's storms hit.
When Obedience Leads to Storms
In Matthew 14:22-24, we find Jesus instructing his disciples to get into a boat and go ahead of him to the other side of the lake while he dismissed the crowds. The disciples obeyed, but soon found themselves in the middle of a storm, with waves beating against their boat and winds pushing them away from shore.
This reveals an important truth: obedience to God sometimes leads us directly into storms, not away from them.
Many of us believe that if we're obedient enough, life will be a calm, beautiful boat ride without difficulties. But Scripture paints a different picture:
Abraham followed God to the promised land only to find famine
Joseph refused temptation and ended up in prison
David, a man after God's own heart, was persecuted by King Saul
Like these biblical figures, you may find yourself trying to raise a family in the Lord, working hard to serve Jesus, yet still facing relational or financial storms. Your family and life seem to be getting battered by the winds of this world.
Is Jesus Really Close During My Storms?
Matthew 14:25-27 continues: "Shortly before dawn, Jesus went out to them, walking on the lake. When the disciples saw him walking on the lake, they were terrified. 'It's a ghost,' they said, and cried out in fear. But Jesus immediately said to them, 'Take courage. It is I. Don't be afraid.'"
The disciples didn't realize that Jesus was closer than they thought. When Jesus says, "It is I," the original language mirrors how God identified himself to Moses: "I AM." Jesus was revealing his divine nature in the middle of their storm.
This teaches us that obedience may lead us into storms, but never into abandonment. Even when you feel battered by life's winds and waves, Jesus is right there with you. He hasn't left or abandoned you. He is closer than you think.
How Do I Respond to Jesus in My Storm?
Peter's response is remarkable. In Matthew 14:28-31, he says, "Lord, if it's you, tell me to come to you on the water." Jesus simply replies, "Come."
Peter demonstrates bold faith by asking for something extraordinary. He doesn't just want to stay safe in the boat; he wants to experience what Jesus is experiencing.
The Power of Bold Prayers
A bold prayer is one that without God could never happen—a prayer asking God to do something you could never achieve on your own. It's not just "Lord, keep me safe" or "Help me not mess up too badly." Those prayers aren't wrong, but they're cautious and focused on comfort and survival.
Bold, faith-stretching prayers might sound like:
"God, use me to impact my workplace today"
"Give me opportunities to share the gospel, even if it costs me"
"Help me forgive those who have deeply wounded me"
"Send me wherever you want, even if it's risky or uncomfortable"
When you pray bold prayers, Jesus responds in bold ways. Peter asked to walk on water, and Jesus said, "Come."
Why We Start Strong But Often Sink
Peter initially walked on water—experiencing something no other human had ever experienced. But when he saw the wind, his attention became divided, and he began to sink.
Bold faith asks big things, but undivided trust keeps you walking. You may have moments of bold faith on Sunday mornings, but you need undivided trust to carry you through the rest of the week.
Inside Peter, there was a battle. Part of him wanted to become the rock Jesus called him to be, but another part—Simon the fisherman—loved the safety of the boat and kept asking "what if" questions. What if the waves are too tall? What if you fall? What if you lose your balance?
What Should I Do When I'm Sinking?
When Peter began to sink, he cried out, "Lord, save me!" This is perhaps the most beautiful part of Peter's faith journey. His faith didn't keep him from falling, but it made him fall forward—toward Jesus.
Even sinking becomes sacred when you reach for Jesus. When anxiety and fear get the best of you, turn that panic into a prayer: "Jesus, I don't know what to do. I need you right now."
Notice two important details:
Jesus was close enough to simply reach out and pull Peter up
Despite his failure, Peter is still the only human who has ever walked on water—because he took a step of faith
Why Does God Allow Storms in Our Lives?
John 6:14-15 reveals that after Jesus fed the multitude, the people wanted to make him king by force. They misunderstood his mission, seeing him as a political savior rather than a spiritual one. Jesus removed his disciples from this environment to protect them from this misunderstanding.
We often desire Jesus to reveal himself to us in the comfort of our lives, homes, and churches. But Jesus uses storms to reveal himself in ways we could never see otherwise.
When Jesus finally climbed into the boat, the wind died down, and the disciples worshiped him, saying, "Truly you are the Son of God" (Matthew 14:32-33). The word "worship" here means they prostrated themselves—these tough fishermen bowed down before Jesus in complete humility.
It wasn't on the shore that they realized who Jesus truly was—it was in the middle of the storm. On the shore, people saw Jesus as their way out of Roman rule. In the boat, in the middle of the storm, the disciples realized Jesus is the only ruler.
Jesus is revealed in storms, not in comfort. He cares more about revealing himself to us than about our comfort.
Life Application
Where do you find yourself in relation to Jesus today?
Are you still on the shore? Not yet committed to Jesus, just wanting to hear his teachings or witness a miracle? If so, take that first step of obedience. Step into the boat and go wherever he's telling you to go.
Are you in the boat but paralyzed? You see Jesus but can't quite recognize him because the storm seems too frightening? Take that step of faith. Step out of the boat and start praying bold prayers.
Are you like Peter—trying to walk on water but sinking? Remember that Jesus is right there with you. Don't be afraid of sinking; keep walking the journey of faith he's given you.
Regardless of where you are, reach toward Jesus. This week, challenge yourself to:
Pray boldly for something that only God can accomplish
Walk confidently in the direction he's calling you
Remember that when you begin to sink, Jesus is already reaching for you
Ask yourself:
What bold prayer is God calling me to pray?
What step of faith is he asking me to take?
Where am I focusing my attention—on the storm or on Jesus?
How might God be using my current storm to reveal himself to me in new ways?
Remember, Jesus is there to save you, not just from your sins, but in every moment of your journey with him.
