March 18: Eyes on Jesus, Not the Waves
It was going well. Then you looked around at everything that could go wrong, and started to sink.
“He said, “Come.” So Peter got out of the boat and walked on the water and came to Jesus. But when he saw the wind, he was afraid, and beginning to sink he cried out, “Lord, save me.” Jesus immediately reached out his hand and took hold of him, saying to him, “O you of little faith, why did you doubt?””
The disciples were in a boat in a storm. Jesus came to them walking on the water. Peter, bold as always, said, “Lord, if it’s You, tell me to come.” Jesus said, “Come.” And Peter stepped out of the boat and walked on water.
Then he saw the wind. He got afraid. And he began to sink.
He cried out, “Lord, save me!” And immediately Jesus reached out His hand and caught him.
This story has a lot to say about Step Three. Peter made a decision to trust Jesus and step out. That was real faith. For a while, it held him up. Then his attention shifted from Jesus to the storm. Fear took over. He started going under.
Early sobriety can follow that exact pattern. The first weeks go well. You’re doing the steps, going to meetings, praying. Then you start looking at the waves. Money worries. Family tension. A craving that comes out of nowhere. The thought that you’ll never stay sober long term. Fear rises, and you feel yourself sinking.
What did Peter do? He didn’t try to swim. He called out. Three words. “Lord, save me.” That’s one of the best prayers in recovery. Short, honest, desperate.
And Jesus didn’t wait. Matthew says immediately. He reached out and caught him.
Jesus did say, “Why did you doubt?” But He said it with Peter’s hand already in His. The correction came after the rescue, not instead of it.
If you’re sinking today, you don’t have to fix your faith first. Just call out. Then let Him pull you up. And when you’re steady again, turn your eyes back to Him instead of the wind.
If you’ve already gone under and had a drink, the same hand is reaching for you now.
One thing today
When fear rises today, pray Peter’s prayer out loud: “Lord, save me.” Then call one person and tell them what you’re afraid of.
A prayer
Jesus, I’ve been looking at the waves, and I’m sinking. Save me. Catch me. Turn my eyes back to You.
If you’ve slipped, see help with relapse. This month: Step Three.
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