Seems pretty simple, right?

Oftentimes, when life is cruising along and blessings abound, we find it easy to trust in the Almighty. His hand is evident all around us, and we are thankful for His provision.

But what happens when life is difficult and nothing is going our way?

Can we trust that God will take us where we need to go?

Let me tell you about a time in my life when fear consumed me, and it felt as if I could not take another step forward.

Life felt gloomy. My thoughts spiraled daily as worst-case scenarios flooded my mind. I was scared. Scared to fail another day. Depression was evident. Too much change in life had me grasping for some stability. I wanted God to catch me and place me safely next to Him. But as each day passed, I felt like maybe, just maybe, God was too far away to come to my rescue. I lacked trust. I wanted to see things improve in my life, to get back to a place where things felt “good” again. I wanted to see the evidence of God in a very tangible way. When it didn’t go according to my plans, I tried to control my own life the best way I knew how.

Can you guess how that turned out?

You guessed it….not too good!

Thankfully, I came to my senses and realized I needed help, spiritually.

I reached out to a minister I trusted.

I asked him to please pray for me. My fears had me stuck. Totally trapped. And quickly spiralling. I needed help. Now!

The God who created me and loved me from the foundation of the world certainly showed Himself evident in my situation.

Here’s what happened…

The minister prayed for me over the phone. After we hung up, he took some time to pray on his own for me, and he had the following experience:

A vision was had. I was dressed in a beautiful white gown, and I was on the shore looking out onto the water. Jesus was on the water, and He was calling, “My daughter, come.” As my eyes were fixed on Jesus, I took my first step, and another, and another…I was walking on water! 

The vision continued. I started to become fearful, as my eyes were now focused on the waters below me. I shouted, “I can’t! I can’t!” I now began to sink under the water. Jesus continued to call for me, asking me to look to Him and trust Him. The vision ended.

Does this sound like a familiar account in scripture?

In Matthew 14:28-31, Peter finds himself in a similar situation. Jesus is out walking on the water, and Peter says, “Lord, if it be thou, bid me come unto thee on the water. And he said, Come. And when Peter was come down out of the ship, he walked on the water, to go to Jesus. But when he saw the wind boisterous, he was afraid; and beginning to sink, he cried, saying, Lord, save me. And immediately Jesus stretched forth his hand, and caught him, and said unto him, O thou of little faith, wherefore didst thou doubt?“

When we truly set our eyes on Jesus, the fears and troubles of life fade away in the distance, and we are able to be victorious over all things in our lives with Christ’s help.

Why would we allow ourselves to sink in despair when Jesus bids us to come unto Him?

I can totally picture His long arm extended toward me, with a loving smile on His face, waiting for me to reach out to Him and take those most important steps of faith toward Him.

Can you picture it, too, in your own life?

If I continued to rely on my own strength, I certainly would always conclude by saying, “I can’t!” just like in the vision.

When we are talking about the God of the Universe, The Great I AM, and The One who died for you and me, we can trust Him to hold us up as we walk on the troubled waters of life. Place your fears, doubts, and all concerns at His feet. Unburden yourself so you are able to walk freely toward Jesus every day of your life.  

I am reminded of the lyrics, “Turn your eyes upon Jesus. Look full in His wonderful face. And the things of earth will grow strangely dim, in the light of his Glory and Grace.”

Have you ever walked on water?

Glory to God that He calls us out on the water; for there His hand you will find!