Keep Your Eyes Up, Girl!
There are times when life’s hurts dominate our every waking moment. Other times we can go for hours and not think about our circumstances. But there is hope and a way from drowning in our pain and fear! Whether your heart aches for a lost relationship, tears stream from the pain of loss, or fear grips you promising never to let go, there is a way out.
Photo by Radu Florin on Unsplash
Matthew 14: 28-32 begins on the cusp of this scene: Jesus and the disciples had spent the day amid a crowd of more than 5,000 men and their families. Jesus miraculously fed them with two fishes and five loaves of bread and was now retreating for some alone time to pray. He asked the disciples to cross to the other side of the lake without him. About dawn, the disciples saw Jesus walking on the lake. Fear and panic gripped as the disciples believed him to be a ghost. As they cried out for help, Jesus spoke and revealed his identity and telling them to take courage. However, Peter wanted confirmation.
“Lord, if it’s you,” Peter replied, “tell me to come to you on the water.”
“Come,” he said.
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!”
Immediately Jesus reached out his hand and caught him, “You of little faith,” he said, “why did you doubt?”
And when they climbed in the boat, the wind died down. Then those who were in the boat worshipped him, saying, “Truly you are the Son of God.”
Friend, within these short passages, we see vital elements that will keep us from drowning when the wind and waves buffet our boats.
Jesus knows where we are at all times and is always near.
It’s ok to ask God to reveal himself more fully.
Jesus hears our cries and reaches out to draw us safely in.
We must keep our eyes on Jesus and not on our earthly circumstances. Learn to recognize when you’re going down! Create an awareness of the feeling of anxiety and fear or when your thoughts become entangled in the chaos of the situation. The moment you realize that you’re going under, cry out to Jesus. Whisper his name, recite a scripture, pray out loud. Do whatever you need so that your eyes are up, focused on Christ and what he can do and not on your earthly issues.
Jesus doesn’t condemn our faith when it’s weak. He takes our hand and says, “Look here, Girl. See how I rescued you again. Now relax and be strengthened in your faith.” Bit by bit, our faith grows, and the waves diminish until they no longer have power over us.
Learn to recognize the signs that you're going under and refocus. Keep your eyes on Jesus, call his name, take his hand, and let him grow your faith. Keep your eyes up, Girl!