Do you ever feel as if you are sinking? Are you discouraged? Are you afraid? Are you beating yourself up because of a failed marriage? Are you about to go under financially? Are your emotions getting the best of you? These are but a few of the situations where we might feel like we are sinking. There is help available. Jesus is available and his word will encourage you.
Look in Matthew 14. "And Peter answered Him and said, "Lord, if it is You, command me to come to You on the water." 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 afraid, and beginning to sink, he cried out, saying, "Lord, save me!" And immediately Jesus stretched out His hand and took hold of him, and said to him, "O you of little faith, why did you doubt?" (Mt. 14:28-31 NAS)As Peter attempted to walk on the water he was overcome by fear. As he began to sink he cried out to Jesus. Jesus lifted him out of that miserable failure.
Notice four truths found in this text.
1. Sinking sometimes occurs after we have experienced other victories. Peter’s sinking occured on the heels of Jesus feeding of the 5,000. Peter witnessed a miracle, with the feeding. That miracle did not sustain him. He needed another. He needed a touch from Jesus.
2. Sinking can threaten the person who is in the center of God’s will. We sometimes assume that a person who is struggling is out of God’s will. That is not always the case. Peter and the other disciples where in the boat because Jesus instructed them to be there. Sometimes when you obey God it puts you into the midst of the storm.
3. Sinking strengthens our dependence on Jesus. As Peter began to sink he swallowed his pride and humbly asked Jesus for help. That is not a bad thing. Anytime we turn to Jesus, it is a positive experience.
4. Sinking does not hinder future effectiveness. Sinking people are not washed up. Sinking people are not put on the shelf. Peter preached at Pentecost and wrote the two books that bear his name after the sinking episode.
Sinking is not a pleasant experience. However, we need to be reminded that it is not the end of the world. Jesus can bring good from it.
