Is your confidence wavering as you find yourself sinking on this #MindfulMonday?
Some weeks start off like that, don’t they?
When someone feels like this, society offers solutions:
Just believe in yourself.
Improve your self-esteem.
Pull yourself up by your own bootstraps.
God will help you if you help yourself.
These are not bad or wrong pieces of advice. In fact, they may even be helpful in certain situations.
However when I study the Bible, I do not find these kinds of positive affirmations.
Instead I see a God who knows we need help, who is always ready and willing to help, and who is often the only One who can help.
This struck me so clearly as I was reading the story of Peter walking on the water in the book of Matthew.
Let’s reread the story together today: Matthew 14:22-33 (The Message)
Walking on the Water
22-23 As soon as the meal was finished, he insisted that the disciples get in the boat and go on ahead to the other side while he dismissed the people. With the crowd dispersed, he climbed the mountain so he could be by himself and pray. He stayed there alone, late into the night.
24-26 Meanwhile, the boat was far out to sea when the wind came up against them and they were battered by the waves. At about four o’clock in the morning, Jesus came toward them walking on the water. They were scared out of their wits. “A ghost!” they said, crying out in terror.
27 But Jesus was quick to comfort them. “Courage, it’s me. Don’t be afraid.”
28 Peter, suddenly bold, said, “Master, if it’s really you, call me to come to you on the water.”
29-30 He said, “Come ahead.”
Jumping out of the boat, Peter walked on the water to Jesus. But when he looked down at the waves churning beneath his feet, he lost his nerve and started to sink. He cried, “Master, save me!”
31 Jesus didn’t hesitate. He reached down and grabbed his hand. Then he said, “Faint-heart, what got into you?”
32-33 The two of them climbed into the boat, and the wind died down. The disciples in the boat, having watched the whole thing, worshiped Jesus, saying, “This is it! You are God’s Son for sure!”
Peter starts off pretty confident and bold, doesn’t he?
“Hey, Jesus, if it’s really you, let me walk on the water too!” It is almost as if he is daring Jesus.
Peter jumps out of boat excited and eager to perform this supernatural feat (and probably to impress the other disciples watching terrified from the boat).
He seems to be doing well, keeping his eyes on Jesus, until he looks down.
Remember, they are in the midst of a storm. The wind is blowing and the waves are crashing.
When Peter, overconfident and so sure of himself, takes a moment to look below at the waves surging and heaving beneath his feet, he loses it (literally!) and begins to sink.
The Bible uses many different words to describe his state of mind: frightened, terrified, fainthearted, and afraid.
Understandable. We would be too.
So what does Peter do in that moment?
Believe in himself? No, he cries out to Jesus.
Get more self-esteem? Highly unlikely to help at this point.
Pull himself up by his own bootstraps? Impossible.
And how does Jesus respond?
Does Jesus cry out with frustration: “Come on, Peter, you know I can only save you if you try to save yourself!”?
Thankfully, no. Jesus reaches down and grabs his hand.
Please reread that. One version says: “Jesus immediately reached out and grabbed him.” (New Living Translation)
Jesus does not lecture, scold, or rebuke Peter for his lack of faith. He rescues, saves, grabs, catches, and holds.
And then He comforts:
Have faith.
Don’t doubt.
Take courage.
I AM HERE.
Confidence in ourselves…not always a good thing. We are weak, we doubt, and we stumble. Sometimes we just don’t have it in us. Like Peter, we are incapable of saving ourselves.
Confidence in the One who rules the wind and the waves…He is strong, He is trustworthy, and He will save. He wants us to cry out to him for help.
So when you feel like you’re sinking, do not be ashamed or afraid to reach out to the One who tells you to keep your eyes fixed on Him. He knows you need to be rescued and is ready and willing to pull you up out of the water.
Let us be mindful of that truth as we start this week with a #MindfulMonday!
I hope you found today’s post a mindful way to start your week with faith and purpose.
I would be thrilled if you wanted to follow me and #MindfulMondays by receiving an email each week.
Thank you! I needed this one at this exact moment. Have a great day!
I’m glad this encouraged you today, Dannah! I will be praying for you!