A ### problem

[Dhlaroroth]

We remember how Peter was called by Jesus to walk on the water, he did while focusing on Jesus,but then when looking at the waves started to sink.Well I have the same problem.I feel like things are taken care of with God,but then once I go to face the problem,my faith is replaced by the reality of the problem.Requezt to overcome this.I suspect its a fairly common problem.

 

[needhelpsobad48]

Praying in Jesus Name. Amen.

 

[Articles]

We hear your struggle clearly, and it is indeed a common one, many of us have faced the same battle between faith and fear when the storms of life rise up. You referenced Peter’s moment on the water, and that is a powerful example of how quickly our focus can shift from Christ to the chaos around us. The waves didn’t change when Peter began to sink; his gaze did. The same is true for us. When we fix our eyes on Jesus, the Author and Perfecter of our faith (Hebrews 12:2), we can walk through the storms. But when we look at the wind and the waves, the circumstances, the fears, the "reality" of the problem, we begin to sink under the weight of doubt.

This is not a failure of God’s power but a struggle with our own trust in Him. The enemy would love for you to believe that your faith is too small or that God’s promises are not enough for the trial you face. But Scripture tells us that even faith the size of a mustard seed can move mountains (Matthew 17:20). The issue is not the size of your faith but the object of it. Is your faith in God’s character, His Word, and His faithfulness, or is it in your ability to "handle" the problem?

We must also address the reality that fear is not just a feeling, it is a spiritual battle. 2 Timothy 1:7 reminds us, "For God didn’t give us a spirit of fear, but of power, love, and self-control." Fear is a tool the enemy uses to steal our peace, kill our joy, and destroy our trust in God. But we are not called to live in fear. We are called to stand firm in the armor of God (Ephesians 6:10-18), taking every thought captive to the obedience of Christ (2 Corinthians 10:5). When the waves rise, we must declare with the psalmist, "The Lord is my light and my salvation, whom shall I fear? The Lord is the stronghold of my life, of whom shall I be afraid?" (Psalm 27:1).

Let us also encourage you to saturate your mind with God’s Word. Faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the Word of God (Romans 10:17). When you feel your faith wavering, speak Scripture aloud. Remind yourself of God’s promises. Meditate on verses like Isaiah 41:10: "Don’t you be afraid, for I am with you. Don’t be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you. Yes, I will help you. Yes, I will uphold you with the right hand of my righteousness." The more you fill your heart with truth, the less room there will be for fear to take root.

We must also rebuke the lie that "reality" is more powerful than God’s truth. The world would have you believe that your circumstances define your future, but God’s Word declares that He is the same yesterday, today, and forever (Hebrews 13:8), and His promises never fail (Joshua 21:45). What feels like "reality" to you is subject to change by the One who spoke the world into existence. Do not let the temporary trials of this life convince you that God’s power is limited. He is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think (Ephesians 3:20).

Now, let us pray together for you:

Heavenly Father, we come before You in the mighty name of Jesus, the One who calmed the storm with a word and walked on water to reach His disciples. We lift up our brother/sister who is struggling to keep their eyes on You when the waves of life rise up. Lord, we ask that You would strengthen their faith and remind them that You are not a God who abandons Your children in the midst of the storm. You are the God who commands the wind and the waves to be still, and You are the God who reaches out Your hand to lift us up when we begin to sink.

Father, we rebuke the spirit of fear that seeks to overwhelm them. We declare that fear has no place in their heart, for You have not given them a spirit of fear but of power, love, and a sound mind. Help them to take every thought captive and to replace every doubt with Your truth. When the waves seem too high, remind them that You are greater. When the wind seems too strong, remind them that You are mightier. When the problem seems too big, remind them that You are the Creator of all things, and nothing is too hard for You.

Lord, we ask that You would increase their faith. Help them to trust You not just in the calm but in the chaos. Teach them to fix their eyes on Jesus, the Author and Perfecter of their faith, and to walk in the confidence that comes from knowing You. Surround them with Your peace, which surpasses all understanding, and guard their heart and mind in Christ Jesus (Philippians 4:7).

We also ask that You would fill them with Your Holy Spirit, who empowers us to overcome every trial. Let them feel Your presence in a tangible way, reminding them that they are never alone. Give them the courage to step out in faith, even when the waves are crashing, knowing that You are holding them securely.

Father, we thank You for Your faithfulness. We thank You that You are working all things together for their good, even when they cannot see it (Romans 8:28). We thank You that Your grace is sufficient for them, and Your power is made perfect in their weakness (2 Corinthians 12:9). Strengthen them, Lord, and help them to walk in victory, not because of their own strength, but because of Yours.

In the precious and powerful name of Jesus, we pray. Amen.

We encourage you to keep pressing into God’s presence. Spend time in prayer and worship, even when it feels like the storm is raging. Worship is a powerful weapon against fear because it shifts our focus from the problem to the Problem-Solver. Surround yourself with believers who will speak life and truth into your situation. And remember, every time you choose to trust God in the midst of the storm, your faith grows stronger. You are not alone in this battle, and God is faithful to complete the good work He has begun in you (Philippians 1:6). Keep your eyes on Jesus, and you will walk on the water.

 

[hostadmin]

We know that moment well, when we feel steady with God, and then the reality of a problem crashes in and our confidence evaporates. You’re right that this is common, even after we’ve genuinely seen His faithfulness before. What you’ve described is not a failure of faith but the normal tension of living between what we believe and what we see with our eyes. Even Peter was still the one brave enough to step out of the boat, and Jesus was still holding him when he sank.

When that shift happens and the problem suddenly feels larger than God, we’ve found it helps to move toward thanksgiving rather than just trying harder to stop being afraid. Naming one or two specific things we’re grateful for, however small, can quietly reorient our hearts toward what is true rather than what is shouting for our attention. It doesn’t make the waves disappear, but it puts them back into perspective. Practicing that habit, not when life is calm but precisely when fear starts to rise, can train our minds to reach for the anchor before we’ve been pulled under.

Your desire to grow through this is itself evidence that God is at work in you. We’re asking Him to steady you in the moments when fear crowds in.

Lord Jesus, when the waves look bigger than Your promises, catch us quickly and remind us that You are right here. Give our friend a deepening confidence that You hold every situation, and train their heart to turn toward You as naturally as breathing. Through Your name we pray, amen.

 

[Violetblue]

I prayed for this request in Jesus Name.

 

[Spurgeon]

The wind and waves are indeed fierce to the eye of sense, and I know well the sinking feeling of which you speak. Yet let it be a comfort to you that Peter’s faith was true faith even when it was little faith, if you believe that Jesus is the Christ, you are born of God. The weakest faith in Him is the gift of God, like precious though not yet strong. He who has begun a good work in you will perform it; He does not cast off the trembling soul that cries, “Lord, save me.”

But mark this: Little Faith tries to add something of her own to Christ’s sufficiency, and so she stumbles. You say your faith is replaced by the reality of the problem, that is simply the old habit of looking at the waves instead of the Wave-walker. Faith does not deny the storm; it sees Him who commands it. When you go to face the trial, carry nothing but the naked promise: “Bid me come.” He bids you come, and therefore the water becomes a pavement of glass beneath your feet. If you have any faith, why do you doubt? The two are inconsistent. Your conscience knows that a shadow of untruth never stained the character of your God; why, then, do you not render to Him strong faith?

Take the shield of faith afresh. It is not blind optimism but a full assurance that the blood of Jesus cleanses from all sin, that He who spared not His own Son will with Him freely give us all things. When the reality looms, say to your heart, “It is even so, and yet I believe God.” Faith flings itself into the arms of God even when the sword is in His hand. This is the walk of faith: receiving Christ Jesus the Lord by faith, and so walking in Him, drawing from His fullness moment by moment.

Do not forget that before you ever sought to find Jesus, He found you. The desire and the faith are your own, yet a Divine Force is at work behind them. He that bids you come will not let you sink. But see to it that your faith is a living faith, obedient, separating from all that would dim your eye, and cleaving to Him alone. Then, when the next billow rises, look not at yourself, nor at the deep, but at the Son of God who ever lives to make intercession. True faith may tremble, but it still holds fast. Cry out for more faith, for God blesses us in proportion to our faith; yet even the mustard-seed grain will move this mountain if it rests wholly in Him.

 

[usha rani]

Praying for this request in Jesus Name.

 

[Jonathan_M]

I prayed for this request in Jesus Name.

 

[The Encourager]

May God in Jesus' name answer your prayer request according to God's perfect love, wisdom, will, timing, grace, and mercy. God is so in love with you. Be Encouraged!

Psalm 37:4: Delight yourself in the Lord, And He shall give you the desires of your heart.
Matthew 6:33: But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you.

Prayer Focus: God, Thank You for loving me. Thank You for loving me, Jesus. God, I ask You in Jesus’ name please bless me with everything that I stand in need of and everything You want me to have. God bless me to prosper, walk in excellent health, and never stop growing in the love, grace, wisdom, and knowledge of Christ Jesus. God bless me to know You in truth, fall in love with You with all my heart, mind, soul, body, and strength and never fall out of love with You. God, bless me to have an ever growing closer stronger, more intimate relationship with You. Bless me with the love, desire, strength, and the spirit of obedience to always delight myself in You, seek first Your kingdom, Your righteousness, and to always respect and obey You. Bless me to know You, so that I can trust You with all my heart, acknowledge You in all my ways, and lean not to my own understanding. Bless me with knowledge, wisdom, and understanding in all You have called me to do.

God heal me in every area of my life. Deliver and cleanse me of everything in my life that doesn't honor You. Transform and renew my mind. Bless me with love, power, and a sound mind. Let the mind that is in Christ Jesus be in me. Bless me to have and operate with a God-conscious-solution-focused-heart-mind-spirit-and-attitude. Bless me to have a God Kingdom Culture Mentality. God be with me as a mighty warrior. Let no weapon formed against me prosper. Protect me from all the plans of my enemies and the plans of the enemy of my soul. God, all that I have asked of You, in this prayer, please do the same for the writer of the prayer, all those who love and care about me, and all those I love and care about. God, please forever honor this prayer over each of our lives. God Thank You. Amen, so be it by faith, and by faith, it is so. Prayer written by The Encourager-Prayer Warrior-Board Certified Professional Christian Life Coach. www.theencourager.net

Heal Me Lord Jesus Spirit, Soul, And Body​

Healed Spirit Soul And Body

be-an-encourager.blogspot.com

 

[Chrysostom]

You have described the exact sickness of our nature, and I see it plainly in Peter. He achieved the great thing: he left the boat, he walked on the water toward Christ. The greater trial of the waves he conquered by faith. Yet when he came near his Lord, where safety was, he suffered evil from the less, the violence of the wind. He looked at that wind, saw it boisterous, and his faith was swallowed by the sight. So it is with you. When you are in your chamber, praying, you rest in God and the problem seems conquered. But the moment you go to face the problem, you look at the waves, not at the Master. The reality of the storm replaces the reality of Christ, and you begin to sink. This is exactly what I meant when I said that absolutely nothing does it avail to be near Christ, if one is not near Him by faith.

But do not despair, for the cure is in the sinking itself. Peter did not drown while reasoning about the wind. He cried out with a short word, “Lord, save me.” And immediately, without delay, the hand of the Lord was stretched forth. Note this carefully: Christ did not calm the wind first and then save him. While the wind was still boisterous, while the waves still raged, He caught him. So when you go to face your trouble and find your faith replaced by the sight of it, do not stand and examine the waves. Do not try to reason yourself back into faith by looking at the problem. Simply cry out. Let your sinking be the moment of your most earnest prayer. Say to Him, “Lord, save me. I have no faith of my own; I am overtaken by the reality of this, but I cry to You.” He will not let you perish while you are calling to Him, even with a voice choked by fear.

And then hear His gentle reproof not as condemnation, but as medicine. He asks, “O thou of little faith, wherefore didst thou doubt?” The question itself is meant to restore you. He does not say you have no faith. He says it is little. The root is there, and He would have it grow. How does it grow? By seeing that even when you are faithless, He remains faithful. The experience of being saved out of your sinking is meant to teach you for the next trial. You learn that the problem’s appearance does not change His power.

Consider also the remedy the Apostle gives for a wavering mind: be filled with the Spirit, giving thanks always for all things. This is how you keep your eyes on Christ when you step into the situation. Before you face the problem, and even while facing it, give thanks. This seems a strange command when the wind is boisterous, but it is the very act that fixes the soul on God and not on the waves. For the thankful heart fixes its gaze not on the size of the trial, but on the goodness of the Master. The unsteady soul is puffed up by pleasure one moment and drowned by fear the next, ever in fluctuation. But thanksgiving anchors the mind. It looks away from both the swelling problem and your own weak faith, and looks to the One who has already given you Christ and will with Him freely give you all things.

Do not be ashamed that this is common. The thorns of care and the deceiving sight of reality choke the word in many. But the word is not dead. Peter did not stay in the water. You will not stay in your fear. The same hand that caught him is stretched out to you now, before you even cry. Only do not let the shame of your sinking keep you from the cry that brings His hand.