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Looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.
Hebrews 12:2 (NKJV)

In this life of widowhood, there may be times when our faith wavers. It might falter under the great weight of grief we carry or it may appear to fail us completely. Sometimes it might waver when the car breaks down, the sink won’t drain, or we feel alone and forgotten amidst all the displays of love and romance.

Does that sound familiar? I hope that you can find comfort in the fact that you are not alone! It happens to most of us! Even Peter’s faith wavered–a disciple who walked with Jesus daily. So when we look at Peter’s example, we see a man exhausted after a long night of fighting the wind and waves. And we see an unrecognizable figure walking towards Peter that terrified him and those he was with.

How many of us can relate to that exhaustion? We might not be fighting actual wind and waves, but sometimes our daily life while carrying the heavy weight of grief and juggling all the additional responsibilities can certainly bring about extreme exhaustion. I recently had to take one of my children to the ER and it was so exhausting doing that without the support and input of my husband.

“Take courage! It is I.”
Matthew 14:27 (NKJV)

But then Peter heard Jesus say, “Take courage, it is I, do not be afraid” Matthew 14:27 NKJV. And because he had been in fellowship with Him daily, Peter recognized Jesus’ voice. At that moment, His voice gave Peter courage and strengthened his faith. Peter’s faith was greater than his fear and he stepped out of the boat and onto the water! Can you imagine the amount of faith it took to step out of the boat?!!!

Do you have moments when you feel like you are stepping out of the boat in faith? Maybe it’s simply getting out of bed and facing another day, maybe it’s tackling a project, or making a decision.

“Come,” He said.
Matthew 14:29 (NKJV)

Then, as Peter took steps toward Jesus on top of the water, his surroundings distracted him. After all, the circumstances that he was walking through were pretty intense. They clamored for his attention and caused him to take his eyes off Jesus. And the moment that he took his eyes off Jesus, his faith started to waver. The appearance of his situation created fear. His fear became greater than his faith, and Peter started to sink.

In this life of widowhood, we have so many situations and circumstances that vie for our attention and can so easily tempt us to take our eyes off of Jesus.

“Lord, save me”
Matthew 14:30 (NKJV)

Yet even as Peter’s faith wavered, he still had enough faith to call out to Jesus, “Lord, save me!” Matthew 14:30 NKJV And Jesus, in His never failing love and faithfulness, did exactly that. He immediately reached out His hand and rescued Peter from his downward descent and restored him to right standing.

Have you ever had those days where you felt Jesus’ hand pulling you out of the depths? I have had so many days where I felt like my heart just couldn’t take anymore. Days where I cried out to Jesus to help me, to save me. And Jesus has faithfully brought me through every single one of those days.

Little faith > no faith

“You of little faith, why did you doubt.” Matthew 14:31 NKJV Some might see what Jesus said to Peter as harsh, but I don’t think that was the tone Jesus said it in. And I also wonder if Jesus’ words to Peter were also to shed light on those watching. For those who stayed in the safety of the boat and did not step out in faith. Peter’s faith at the moment he took his eyes off Jesus may have been diminished. And there may have been some doubt, but even so, he was exercising and putting his faith into action. Afterward, when Jesus and Peter climbed back into the boat, all in the boat worshiped Jesus. Peter’s faith and Jesus’s faithfulness made an impact on all who watched, and their faith became greater than their fear.

How amazing is it when we experience Jesus’ faithfulness in our own lives not only are we encouraged and our faith strengthened, but it also builds the faith of those who are watching!

Heavenly Father, as we walk and talk with You, help us also become more accustomed to recognizing Your voice. Help us in those moments of doubt when we are struggling with so much weight and responsibility. Remind us that even when our faith wavers, You are there with an outstretched hand to catch us when we start to sink. Increase our faith and courage and help us to keep our eyes on You. Help our faith to be greater than our fear. Amen

If you would like to read the entire passage about Peter and Jesus, click the link here.