Fear, Uncertainty, & Doubt

Satan was playing his favorite game that night when Jesus came walking on the waves to his disciples. He had used Jesus’ absence to whip up a terrifying storm both outside and inside the disciples’ minds. Fear, uncertainty, and doubt - where was the man they called God now!?

Then he appeared! Walking on the lake. He didn’t climb the waves or slip down their slopes. With every step, the water became still, solid. Jesus was fearless.

Peter wanted to be fearless too. “Lord,” he said, “If it’s really you, command me to come to you!”

“Come!” was the joyous and welcoming reply!

Peter stepped out of the boat and … the water was solid beneath his feet! Like a paved stone road. It was glorious! For a moment. Until that fear, uncertainty, and doubt attacked again. Even though Peter could see the reality, could feel the solid truth under his feet, the Deceiver whispered into his ear a different story. What if…?

And the water became water again. What would become of him? “Lord, save me!”

And, of course, Jesus was instantly there. “It’s ok. I’ve still got you. You can trust me.”

Satan laughed at Peter and mocked God, “Look at your little human – failing, soaking wet, half carried, and quivering like a prey animal – what do you call that? ‘Cause I call it pathetic.”

God replied, “I call it the first steps in faith. The first steps in learning to walk on water and calm storms. I call it a glorious new beginning!”

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Jesus said, “Truly I tell you, the one who believes in me will also do the works that I do. And he will do even greater works than these, because I am going to the Father. Whatever you ask in my name, I will do it so that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If you ask me anything in my name, I will do it.” John 14:12-14