"Why can't he ever agree with me?" The thought flashed through my mind as my throat tightened and my body stiffened. My husband and I were arguing.
Somewhere deep inside—like the stirring of waves in a mighty storm—old feelings of rejection and the fear of abandonment began to rise up.
I'd like to tell you that I said the perfect prayer in that pivotal moment. Or that, by sheer force of will, I overcame my overwhelming need to make my husband see things my way. But I didn't. And yet, as I fumbled to reach out to God in my distress, he reached out to me as well.
My turbulent emotions subsided. Peace filled my heart as I remembered the acceptance I have in Christ and his promise to never leave me or forsake me. God took my hurt, my fear, my "junk", and gave me something supernatural in exchange.
One of Jesus' disciples, a man named Peter, knew a thing or two about rising waves and violent storms. In Matthew 14 we find Peter and the other disciples navigating their own rough waters on the Sea of Galilee.
Their boat rocked, pitched, and threatened to capsize. The rolling waves and gale-force winds buffeted it from all sides. Then, in the midst of their distress, Jesus appeared, walking toward them on the waters.
When Peter recognized him, he called out, "Lord, if it is you, tell me to come to you on the water!" And Jesus called back, "Come!" (v.28-29).
Peter climbed out of the heaving boat and tentatively placed on foot on the water, quite literally stepping out in faith. He believed God's power could carry him through the storm, and his belief opened him up to receive that power!
Peter stepped out in faith and supernaturally experienced God's grace to do what he could not do on his own. We too can practice supernatural exchanges in our own lives through the same combination of faith and grace.
We start by believing God has something to offer us, something we need. Courage in place of fear. Healing for past hurts. Self-control in times of temptation. A kind word when we would really rather say...something else. In faith, we surrender our hurts, our fears, our temptations.
Then we ask God to pour out his grace, so we might supernaturally receive what we need from him in that moment. We depend on his power to lift us up out of the waves and set us on top of the waters.
In short, we step out in faith and—in his grace—God does something for us we can't do ourselves!
So the next time you're struggling to stay afloat in a sea of fear, insecurity, or temptation, reach out for Jesus. Have faith that he will meet your needs!
This can be as simple as taking a deep breath, turning your palms upward, and whispering, "Jesus, I want what you have to offer me right now."
And don't be discouraged when you need to go back to Jesus again. And again. And again! Even Peter--while he was walking on the water!--began to sink. But when we know where to turn, we can be sure that Jesus will be there, ready to take us by the hand and walk with us through the storm.
Reflection Questions
- What are some spiritual exchanges you might need to make?
- Ephesians 1:19-20 speaks of God's power as the "mighty strength" he exerted when he raised Christ from the dead. This same power that overcame death is available to help us overcome sin. In what area of your life do you need this power most?
- How can you take a step toward Jesus today in this area?