Thoughts from daily Bible reading for today – March 23, 2015
But when he [Peter] saw the wind, he was afraid and, beginning to sink, cried out, “Lord, save me!” Immediately Jesus reached out his hand and caught him. “You of little faith,” he said, “why did you doubt? Matthew 14:30-31
Without the Lord in my life I am in over my head. I am in over my head as a Christian. I am in over my head as a husband, a father, and a friend. I am in over my head as a writer. At worst I drown in doubt and at best I frantically tread water when my capacity to believe is confined to what I see in my circumstances. Indeed, God’s grace gives me spiritual buoyancy so I am not swept away by the rip tide of trust in myself. The sooner I confess that I am in over my head—the faster my faith focuses on Jesus. I sink alone. I swim with my Savior!
Courageous Peter was the only disciple to get out of the boat and walk toward Jesus. His step of faith puzzled the frightened majority at first. Huddled behind they trembled, terrified—but Peter’s trust in Jesus gave them hope. His willingness to get out of the boat and not confine Christ to his small box of belief lifted everyone’s trust in the Lord. Doubt reconvened in Peter’s heart, but his step of faith allowed him to grab the hand of God. Because He knew He was in over his head—Jesus kept His head above water. God replaces our sinking feeling with His rising assurance.
“And when they climbed into the boat, the wind died down. Then those who were in the boat worshiped him, saying, “Truly you are the Son of God” (Matthew 14:32-33).
Do you feel like you are in over your head? Are you in a situation that requires a larger faith capacity to carry out God’s will? Raising children can bring about an “in over your head” feeling. It’s like your nose just breaks the surface of the water, while everything else is submerged. One little push downward fills your nostrils with water—you become frantic, unable to breathe. Parental responsibilities seem endless and like the ocean waves they never stop crashing against you. You are not alone. It’s good, even necessary for you to engage with likeminded parents. Those a step ahead can offer hope.
Most of all, grab the hand of God. Christ reaches out to catch you. He is a sympathizing Savior who lifts you out of your drowning condition and holds you with His comforting peace. Take care of yourself, so you are able to take care of others. Yes, it may be your step of faith that empowers those around you to step out in faith. Better one with imperfect faith who ventures from their comfort zone, than ten who wait in fear for their faith to be perfected. Submerged in the grace of God, you swim securely. In over your head with Jesus moves you ahead in His will.
“Rescue me from the mire, do not let me sink; deliver me from those who hate me, from the deep waters” (Psalm 69:14).
Prayer: Heavenly Father, when I feel “in over my head” help me look ahead with You.
Related Readings: 1 Samuel 2:8; Psalm 69:2, 145:14; James 4:10; 1 Peter 5:6
Post/Tweet this today: It may be your step of faith that empowers those around you to step out in faith. #inovermyhead #wisdomhunters
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I just feel like that today …..over my head …with the search for a single home that I will need to have found , no later than 4/30/15 .
I feel as if my time is clicking away from me , all the packing , it just seems to over whelm me at this point .
Then to read today’s ” IN OVER MY HEAD ” just made me think of what I am facing .
God Bless …..