Our Faith Should Overcome Our Fears

Matt 14:26-29 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. 27 But immediately Jesus spoke to them, saying, "Take heart; it is I. Do not be afraid."  28 And Peter answered him, "Lord, if it is you, command me to come to you on the water." 29 He said, "Come." So Peter got out of the boat and walked on the water and came to Jesus.

This account of Peter walking on the water ignites my desire to exercise faith, but it also causes me to be concerned about my lack of faith.  Peter believed Jesus. He obeyed Jesus and he did something amazing. He walked on water in the middle of the deep blue sea at night in a windstorm.  In that incident, Jesus gave His disciples a command that is often overlooked.  Jesus gave the command that would eliminate our lack of or littleness of faith.  He said do not fear.  How often are we faced with various situations and challenges in our lives yet for fear of the unknown, the risks, or what may or may not happen we fail to experience how awesome and great our God is.  Peter experienced something that no other person that’s ever lived had experienced other than Jesus. He walked on water in the deep blue sea, at night, in a storm.  How many challenges have we failed to overcome because we are afraid.  How often do we fail to allow God’s greatness and awesomeness be seen in our lives because we are afraid?  How anemic have we made our churches because we’re afraid?   It is this writer’s opinion that we have this thing backwards. Our fears should never control our faith.  Our faith should overcome our fears.  I’ve begun to challenge our partners at New City East Side to take steps of faith to trust God for something outside of our abilities.  Fear is the enemy of our faith. What do we really believe about God?  Do we believe that He is able to do exceedingly more abundantly than all that we can ask or think?  Do we believe that He is God Almighty.  We say that but do we see that by the way we live, by the way we operate.  My challenge to all God’s people and my family at New City East Side is to take a step of faith in something greater than your ability.  Begin consistently praying trusting God to be glorified through your life.  I’m convinced that we must move from allowing our fears to control our faith, to allowing our faith to overcome our fears so that Jesus may be glorified through us.

Pastor Robinson