I’ve been studying the book of Matthew and my bible has a commentary that expands and explains the words and passages. As I was reading the story of Peter walking on the water, a story I have read a hundred times, a note in the commentary jumped out at me! “Whenever believers divert their eyes from Jesus in the midst of the storm, their circumstances assume prominence, and they, like Peter, lose heart and begin to sink. The difference between fear and faith is focus.” Did you catch that? The difference between fear and faith is focus!”

This world, and our lives, are so broken. Just turn on the news or open your social media feed and you will undoubtedly see an overwhelming list of problems, crime, deceptions, fraud…the list goes on and on. It is so disheartening. Circumstances of this world can anger you, cause you grief, depression, anxiety—It can cause your heart to despair. We will never see peace this side of Heaven, but we do have the undeniable power of the Holy Spirit available to our aching souls. We do not need to be weighed down by the burdens, worries, and sorrows, of this world. God does not intend for our hearts to be focused on the darkness that surrounds us. We are to be focused on the promise of what is to come. “So we do not lose heart. Though our outer self is wasting away, our inner self is being renewed day by day. For this momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison, as we look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen. For the things that are seen are transient, but the things that are unseen are eternal.” (2 Corinthians 4:16)

 Immediately he made the disciples get into the boat and go before him to the other side, while he dismissed the crowds. And after he had dismissed the crowds, he went up on the mountain by himself to pray. When evening came, he was there alone, but the boat by this time was a long way from the land, beaten by the waves, for the wind was against them. And in the fourth watch of the night he came to them, walking on the sea. But when the disciples saw him walking on the sea, they were terrified, and said, “It is a ghost!” and they cried out in fear. But immediately Jesus spoke to them, saying, “Take heart; it is I. Do not be afraid.” And Peter answered him, “Lord, if it is you, command me to come to you on the water.” He said, “Come.” So Peter got out of the boat and walked on the water and came to Jesus. But when he saw the wind, he was afraid, and beginning to sink he cried out, “Lord, save me.”  Jesus immediately reached out his hand and took hold of him, saying to him, “O you of little faith, why did you doubt?”  And when they got into the boat, the wind ceased. And those in the boat worshiped him, saying, “Truly you are the Son of God.” (Matthew 14:22-33)

Do you see what happened to Peter? He saw Jesus, and he heard his call to step out of the boat and walk on the water. Peter didn’t yell back to Jesus, “What do you mean, come to you? I can’t walk on water!” Peter simply heard the Lord’s call, and not thinking about his surrounding circumstances, he stepped out of the boat in obedience. But then he saw the wind. He took his focus off of Jesus and he allowed his mind to question what he was doing. As soon as he opened his heart to doubt, he began to sink! Then he cried out to Jesus, and Jesus reached out and saved him.

I want to bring your attention to one more verse. Paul wrote to the church in Thessalonica, a church under persecution and suffering, and in his letter, he sent this encouraging instruction. “Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.” (1 Thessalonians 5:15-18) Paul’s focus was on Christ, despite the difficulties of this world, despite all that he had endured, he still kept his focus on the truth of the gospel and the hope that is in the power of God. He didn’t say to only rejoice when things go well. He didn’t say, pray only when you are needy. He didn’t say, be thankful only when you are blessed. He told the church to rejoice always, for our joy is not in this world but in the power of the risen Lord! He told the church to pray continually, and give thanks in all circumstances. That is faith my friend. Paul doesn’t elude that this command will be easy, but nevertheless, it is still a command. We are to thank God for each day, no matter what that day may bring us. Why? Because of who God is…His character…His love…. His power…may everything in our lives bring Him glory. And when we turn our hearts from the trials of this world, and focus on Him—who He is—what He has done for us—what we have in Him—then we will be filled with the unquenchable joy that comes from His Holy Spirit.

I challenge you to look for a verse in the Bible that tells you to focus on your problem—to push through, grit your teeth, and white knuckle it, until through your own power, you have made it through. No! The Lord sees all. He sees you in the midst of your addiction, your panic attack, your desperation. He sees your illness, your broken spirit, your doubt, and fear. He will not abandon you! Satan wants you to focus your heart and mind on your problem. When you take your eyes off of Jesus and place all your focus and attention on your trial, you forget who is truly in control of the storm. Jesus could have calmed the storm. But instead, he called for Peter to walk to him, in the midst of the storm, as the wind howled, and the waves crashed! He asked Peter to trust Him. And when Peter’s heart was attacked by Satan’s doubt, Jesus reached out and saved him! He will not abandon us. We are His children, whom He loves. Today you may be in the battle of your life. Or, you may be at the top of the mountain, soaking in the sun. No matter where you find yourself, no matter your circumstances, do not forget who you are and who is truly in control! You are a child of the King! He loves you! Let your eyes, your heart, and your focus, be always on Jesus.

• Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths. Be not wise in your own eyes; fear the LORD, and turn away from evil. (Proverbs 3:5-7)

• God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear though the earth gives way, though the mountains be moved into the heart of the sea, though its waters roar and foam, though the mountains tremble at its swelling. (Psalm 46:1-3)

• Cast your burden on the LORD, and he will sustain you; he will never permit the righteous to be moved. (Psalm 55:22)