There are times when life circumstances make us feel like we are on a ship that is sinking. In those circumstances, it is easier to focus on what’s happening around us instead of Jesus. No wonder Peter started to drown when he took His eyes off of Jesus. According to Matthew 14:29-30, “And He said, “Come!” And Peter got out of the boat and walked on the water, and came toward Jesus. But seeing the wind, he became frightened, and when he began to sink, he cried out, saying, “Lord, save me!” (New American Standard Bible). As soon as Peter took His eyes off Jesus and looked at the wind, the first thing that happened to him was ‘fear.’
When we start looking at the things happening around us, it is easier to become fearful. The Bible warns us that fear is not from God. I Timothy 1:7, “For God has not given us a Spirit of fear and timidity, but of power, love, and self-discipline.” (New American Standard Bible). When we become fearful, we tend to make decisions based on what’s happening around us rather than hearing from God. The only way to hear from God during these circumstances is to spend quiet time with Him and by reading His word.
The things around us will shake, and it was never meant to be stable because we live in a broken world. If we rely on anything other than God, we will feel hopeless and confused when those things shake. When we trust God, we can be sure that even if things around us shake, we are safe in His arms.
According to Psalms 16:8-11, “I will bless the Lord who has advised me; Indeed, my mind instructs me in the night. I have set the Lord continually before me; Because He is at my right hand, I will not be shaken. Therefore, my heart is glad, and my glory rejoices; My flesh also will dwell securely. For You will not abandon my soul to Sheol; You will not allow Your Holy One to undergo decay. You will make known to me the way of life; In Your presence is fullness of joy; In Your right hand, there are pleasures forever” (New American Standard Bible).
Often, we forget how big our God is. I was reading Genesis recently, and it talked about how God created the heavens and the earth by His words. He is so powerful that He just needs to speak a word so we don’t have to be shaken when things around us shake. He is in control of our life and is still on the throne. He knows what’s best for us and is faithful to guide us on what to do when we feel like the ship we are in is sinking.
I want to encourage you to hold on to Jesus, who never changes, and He is our safe place when everything around us shakes. We can trust Him with our life. According to Isaiah 41:10, “Do not fear, for I am with you; Do not be afraid, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, I will also help you, I will also uphold you with My righteous right hand” (New American Standard Bible).
Awesome 👏🏼!! It’s interesting that you are using a boat 🚤 analogy. It’s like a huge cruise 🚢 ship is leaving Rocklin and people are having different reactions. But God is still God. Great work Priscilla!! ❤️
Thanks Monika! I did write this thinking about work but you had a better analogy than what I had in mind when I wrote this. I think all points us back to one thing that is constant even when everything else shakes. I will text you offline on what I was thinking.