Anxiety – Fix your eyes on Jesus

Immediately Jesus made the disciples get into the boat and go on ahead of him to the other side, while he dismissed the crowd. 23 After he had dismissed them, he went up on a mountainside by himself to pray. Later that night, he was there alone, 24 and the boat was already a considerable distance from land, buffeted by the waves because the wind was against it. 25 Shortly before dawn Jesus went out to them, walking on the lake. 26 When the disciples saw him walking on the lake, they were terrified. “It’s a ghost,” they said, and cried out in fear. 27 But Jesus immediately said to them: “Take courage! It is I. Don’t be afraid.” 28 “Lord, if it’s you,” Peter replied, “tell me to come to you on the water.”

29 “Come,” he said. Then Peter got down out of the boat, walked on the water and came toward Jesus. 30 But when he saw the wind, he was afraid and, beginning to sink, cried out, “Lord, save me!” 31 Immediately Jesus reached out his hand and caught him. “You of little faith,” he said, “why did you doubt?” 32 And when they climbed into the boat, the wind died down. 33 Then those who were in the boat worshiped him, saying, “Truly you are the Son of God.” Matthew 14:22-33

Cornelia Arnolda Johanna ten Boom is credited with the statement, “If you look at the world, you’ll be distressed; If you look within, you’ll be depressed; If you look at God, you’ll be at rest.”

“Corrie” ten Boom was an amazing Christian. She and her sister were placed into a WWII concentration camp for trying to help Jews escape the Nazi Holocaust. She survived. Her sister did not.

Peter was doing great (even walking on water!)…until he took his eyes off of Jesus and looked around and saw the terrifying circumstances that surrounded him. Those circumstances began to swallow him up.

C+P=E

Circumstances plus Perspective equals Experience

This is one of our “tricks of the trade” to help people to cope with what’s going on in their lives is to invite them, when they can’t change their circumstances, to change their perspective which will inevitably change their experience.

If they can’t change their situation (circumstances) they can change how they choose to see themselves in their situation-and that will change how they experience what they’re dealing with.

If I know that I’m not walking alone through life and that God has a plan and purpose for everything He permits to happen in my life (and that He promises to help me handle whatever happens in my life), it makes all the difference how I experience life.

Keep your eyes fixed on Jesus. He will see you through the storms until you’re safe with Him “on the other side”. He is with you always-until you will always be with Him in heaven!

Prayer

Lord Jesus, help me to fix my eyes on you and not on the storms that come “crashing in on my party” all the time. Take away my anxiety and fill me with peace as I put my trust in You. Amen.