Waves of doubt and fear render us powerless against attacks from our own minds and that great enemy, Satan. When doubt threatens, where do you run for help and safety? I only know of one haven of protection and if I falter before I reach it, I am overwhelmed. If you struggle with uncertainty and doubt, I would love to hear from you!
2MefromHim Devotionals
Waves of Uncertainty
Then Peter got down out of the boat, walked on the water and came toward Jesus. But when he saw the wind, he was afraid and, beginning to sink, cried out, “Lord, save me!” Matthew 14:29-30
Waves crashed and rolled around him, but Peter climbed out of the boat that pitched and yawed, and set off across the waves toward Jesus. The disciples weren’t timid men. Most were fishermen, hardened to the toil of fishing boats, and the rough, unpredictable waters of the Sea of Galilee. Storms were nothing new, but the ferocity of the crashing thunder, forked lightning, and tumultuous waves frightened them.
I have navigated the dark waters of infertility, cancer, chronic illness, my dad’s sudden death, and serious heart problems for both my husband, and myself. God has proved unfailing in his faithfulness. However, when the outcome is uncertain, fear begins to dominate my thoughts. I know God is in control, but I lose my nerve.
Times of smooth sailing turn to whitecaps of fear when I lose my voice, and it happens far too often. The choppy waves of doubt, threaten to drag me under when I remember 2 months, 4 months, multiple times when I lived in silence and doctors found no reason. I have a diagnosis, but that doesn’t make it easier to cross a public parking lot or go to a bank. What if I never speak in normal tones again?
Peter strode across the thrashing sea with confidence when his eyes on were fixed on Jesus. However, the sight of the churning waves beneath his feet raised a specter or fear and he began to sink.
In J.B. Phillips’ translation of the New Testament, he calls God “the blessed controller of all things, the king over all kings and the master of all masters, the only source of immortality, the one who lives in unapproachable light, the one whom no mortal eye has ever seen or ever can see. To him be acknowledged all honor and power for ever, amen!”
When the waves and storms of life overwhelm you, seek the one with the power to save. Keep your eyes fixed on Jesus. We all wobble now and then, but He will never let his children sink.
© Copyright by Norma Gail Thurston Holtman, March 2014 & August 10, 2017
Norma Gail is the author of the contemporary Christian romance, Land of My Dreams, winner of the 2016 Bookvana Religious Fiction Award. A women’s Bible study leader for over 21 years, her devotionals and poetry have appeared at ChristianDevotions.us, the Stitches Thru Time blog, and in “The Secret Place.” She is a member of American Christian Fiction Writers, Romance Writers of America, Historical Writers of America, and the Women’s Fiction Writers Association. Norma is a former RN who lives in the mountains of New Mexico with her husband of 41 years. They have two adult children. If you’re interested in connecting with me, I invite you to follow my blog, join me on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, Instagram, Goodreads, or Amazon.
Norma, this is wonderful. Thank you. I loved this description, “Storms were nothing new, but the ferocity of the crashing thunder, forked lightning, and tumultuous waves frightened them…” Oh how I can see that little fishing boat tossing on the waves and Peter climbing overboard 🙂
Thank you, Nan! This was an old devotional given some new life because it spoke to my heart right now.