Walking on Water: Trusting Jesus Beyond the Storms of Life
Faith is not just believing in Jesus—it’s stepping out in trust, even when the storms of life rage around us. One of the most profound moments in Scripture illustrating this is the story of Peter walking on water. Recorded in Matthew 14:22-33, this moment is more than just a miracle; it is a lesson in faith, trust, and keeping our eyes fixed on Jesus.
Stepping Out in Faith
After feeding the five thousand, Jesus sent His disciples ahead in a boat while He went up the mountain to pray. In the middle of the night, the disciples found themselves caught in a fierce storm. As the winds roared and the waves crashed against their boat, they saw a figure walking toward them on the water. Fear gripped them—they thought it was a ghost!
But then, Jesus spoke:
"Take heart; it is I. Do not be afraid." (Matthew 14:27)
Hearing this, Peter did something incredible. He responded:
"Lord, if it is you, command me to come to you on the water." (Matthew 14:28)
At Jesus' command, Peter stepped out of the boat and began walking on water toward Him. For a moment, his faith was strong, he defied the laws of nature, his eyes locked on the Lord. But as soon as he took his eyes off Jesus and focused on the wind and waves, fear took over, and he began to sink.
What Made Peter Sink?
Peter’s failure wasn’t stepping out onto the water, it was losing focus on Jesus. As long as he kept his eyes fixed on Christ, he was sustained. But the moment he became more aware of the storm than of Jesus, he started to sink.
This is a lesson for all of us. When life’s challenges overwhelm us, financial difficulties, health struggles, family problems, or personal failures, we, too, can start sinking if we allow fear and doubt to replace our trust in Jesus.
But just like Peter, we are never alone. As soon as Peter cried out, "Lord, save me!", Jesus immediately reached out His hand and pulled him up (Matthew 14:30-31). Jesus didn’t let Peter drown, and He won’t let us drown either. Even when our faith falters, Jesus is always ready to lift us up. All we need to do is call upon Him.
St. Mother Teresa’s Leap of Faith
Few people have exemplified radical faith like St. Mother Teresa of Calcutta. She was a Loreto nun teaching in Kolkata when she received “the call within the call”—a divine urging to leave everything and serve the poorest of the poor.
With no money, no plan, and only unwavering trust in Jesus, she stepped into the streets of Calcutta, teaching children in the dirt and caring for the abandoned. What began as one woman’s leap of faith became the Missionaries of Charity, an order now serving in over 130 countries.
"Wherever Mother Teresa went, she radiated the light of Christ." – Pope St. John Paul II
Mother Teresa didn’t walk on water, but she stepped out in faith, and God provided abundantly. Her life teaches us that faith isn’t about seeing the whole path—it’s about taking the next step, trusting Jesus to lead the way.
Will you step out in faith today?
Lessons from the Saints: Trusting Jesus Amidst the Storm
The saints understood this truth and lived by it. Their lives were full of hardships, but they chose to walk in faith, keeping their eyes on Christ.
- St. John Paul II once said:
"Do not be afraid. Open wide the doors for Christ!"
He faced assassination attempts, illness, and political oppression, yet his unwavering faith in Jesus made him a beacon of hope for millions. - St. Faustina Kowalska, who received the message of Divine Mercy, trusted in Jesus even when doubted and misunderstood. Her simple yet powerful prayer, "Jesus, I trust in You," has become a guiding light for those facing life’s trials.
- St. Padre Pio often encouraged people to "Pray, hope, and don’t worry." He trusted Jesus even when facing great physical and spiritual suffering.
How Can We Strengthen Our Faith?
1. Keep Your Eyes on Jesus
Just as Peter could only walk on water when looking at Jesus, we must keep our focus on Christ through daily prayer, reading Scripture, and the Sacraments.
2. Step Out of the Boat
Faith requires action. It’s not enough to say we trust Jesus—we must take steps of faith, even when we don’t see the whole picture. Obedience to God, even in uncertainty, brings miracles.
3. Do Not Let Fear Control You
Fear makes us sink. When we focus on our problems instead of Jesus, we start drowning in worry. Instead, surrender everything to Christ.
4. Cry Out to Jesus
If we find ourselves sinking, we must do what Peter did—call on Jesus! He will never ignore a heart that sincerely asks for help.
5. Walk with Jesus, Not Alone
Peter stepped out alone, but we have the Church, the Body of Christ, to help us. Surround yourself with faith-filled people who will encourage and pray with you.
Will You Walk on Water?
Jesus is calling you—not just to believe in Him, but to trust Him completely. He invites you to step beyond your fears, to walk toward Him with confidence, and to experience His power lifting you above life’s storms.
If you feel overwhelmed, discouraged, or lost, you are not alone. Remember Peter—when he fixed his eyes on Jesus, he walked on water. But when he focused on the storm, he began to sink. The same is true for us. No storm is greater than our God!
Right now, Jesus is reaching out to you. He says:
"Take heart; it is I. Do not be afraid." (Matthew 14:27, ESV-CE)
Faith is not about having all the answers—it’s about taking the next step, believing that God’s grace will sustain you. The waves may be high, the winds may roar, but Jesus is greater than every fear, every struggle, and every doubt.
Do not let fear keep you in the boat. Step forward in faith, knowing that the One who walks on water will never let you fall.
So today, ask yourself:
Will you stay where it’s safe, or will you step out and walk with Jesus?
He is waiting. His hand is stretched toward you. Take it, and walk in faith!
Let’s Spread the Light of Christ!
One way to step out in faith is by sharing the Gospel with others. In today’s digital age, we can be missionaries even from our phones! By sharing the BibleOn app, you can help bring the Word of God to people around the world in multiple languages.
BibleOn: The Free Catholic Bible App
✔ Available in 36+ languages and growing.
✔ Audio Bible for easy listening
✔ Daily reading plans to grow in faith
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This is a simple yet powerful way to bring the light of Christ to others! Let’s be digital missionaries and help more people fix their eyes on Jesus!