Sometimes in our lives, we come to a rough patch, in which
we deal with great difficulties that shake our faith. It is never easy to deal
with troubled times, and keeping your faith is often a struggle. When problems
pile up and the way out seems totally blocked, we sometimes can’t help but feel
helpless… We want to trust God, and we pray with all our hearts; but the
problems just seem to get bigger and bigger, until it feels as if we are
drowning, reaching out to Jesus, in a last effort not to lose our last grip on
the blessed hope; we feel so small and meaningless, seeing that faith – which we
hold on to so dearly – nearing to
slipping away…
Is it because we are not faithful enough? And, does that
affect our daily walk with Jesus?
Absolutely not!
Look at Peter, one of Jesus’s closest friends. He had his
fair share of doubts. Matthew 14:24-31 tells us:
… The ship was now in the midst of the sea, tossed with waves: for the wind was contrary. And in the fourth watch of the night Jesus went unto them, walking on the sea. And when the disciples saw him walking on the sea, they were troubled, saying, It is a spirit; and they cried out for fear. But straightway Jesus spake unto them, saying, Be of good cheer; it is I; be not afraid.
And Peter answered him and said, Lord, if it be thou, bid me come unto thee on the water. And he said, Come. And when Peter was come down out of the ship, he walked on the water, to go to Jesus.
But when he saw the wind boisterous, he was afraid; and beginning to sink, he cried, saying, Lord, save me. And immediately Jesus stretched forth his hand, and caught him, and said unto him, O thou of little faith, wherefore didst thou doubt?
And when they were come into the ship, the wind ceased. Then they that were in the ship came and worshipped him, saying, Of a truth thou art the Son of God.
And Peter answered him and said, Lord, if it be thou, bid me come unto thee on the water. And he said, Come. And when Peter was come down out of the ship, he walked on the water, to go to Jesus.
But when he saw the wind boisterous, he was afraid; and beginning to sink, he cried, saying, Lord, save me. And immediately Jesus stretched forth his hand, and caught him, and said unto him, O thou of little faith, wherefore didst thou doubt?
And when they were come into the ship, the wind ceased. Then they that were in the ship came and worshipped him, saying, Of a truth thou art the Son of God.
Although Jesus was right there, in front of him, Peter lost
his faith and started to drown. He cried out to Jesus, and Jesus helped him out
of the water. Jesus rebuked him, but it didn’t stop him from staying as close
as he was before to Peter. Moreover, if we read John 21:14-17, we find the
following testimony:
This is now the third time that Jesus shewed himself to his
disciples, after that he was risen from the dead.
So when they had dined, Jesus saith to Simon Peter, Simon,
son of Jonas, lovest thou me more than these? He saith unto him, Yea, Lord;
thou knowest that I love thee. He saith unto him, Feed my lambs.
He saith to him again the second time, Simon, son of Jonas,
lovest thou me? He saith unto him, Yea, Lord; thou knowest that I love thee. He
saith unto him, Feed my sheep.
He saith unto him the third time, Simon, son of Jonas,
lovest thou me? Peter was grieved because he said unto him the third time,
Lovest thou me? And he said unto him, Lord, thou knowest all things; thou
knowest that I love thee. Jesus saith unto him, Feed my sheep.
Jesus didn’t change his mind about Peter because Peter failed
every now and then; and despite the fact that Peter almost lost his faith
several times, Jesus gave him the great responsibility of feeding God’s sheep.
If you fall down, don’t fret over it; shake the dust off, stand
and keep walking, chin up. It’s not the end of the world…
Jesus loves you regardless of what you do. He is there with
you forever!
Stay blessed, and stay tuned,
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