The passage in Matthew 14:22–33 records the incident where Jesus walked on water. Looking into the background: following Jesus’ instruction to cross to the other side of the lake, the disciples set out in their boat. However, to their despair, the wind was contrary, and their journey became difficult as they rowed strenuously against it. For hours, late into the night, they struggled to move forward, perhaps hoping the wind would calm down. At a considerable distance from shore, the situation grew so challenging that even if they had tried to turn back to the side from which they started, it would have been difficult.

At this moment, to their bewilderment, Jesus came walking on the water. They thought it was a ghost and were terrified. But Jesus immediately comforted them, telling them not to be afraid, and revealed Himself to them. Peter, wanting to confirm that it was Jesus and willing to imitate Him, said, “Lord, if it is You, command me to come to You on the water” (Matthew 14:28). Jesus simply replied, “Come.” With excitement and complete trust in that one word, Peter stepped out of the boat—and began walking on the water.

Overpowering and subduing the very winds and waves that had tormented them all night long, he kept walking on the water as long as his focus was on Jesus and His word. But alas, at a certain point, his focus shifted—he got distracted and saw the wind and the waves. The moment his focus turned away from the Lord, Scripture tells us in verse 30 that “he was afraid and, beginning to sink, cried out, ‘Lord, save me!’” And the Lord was gracious toward him and immediately came to his rescue. Eventually, when they both got into the boat, the wind and the waves calmed down.

In the same way, when we face troubles in this life, we often begin dealing with it in excitement, believing in the Word of God. For a while, even if we do not see any improvement in our situations, we remain in faith, trusting that the Lord will come through and that we will receive a breakthrough. However, as time passes, due to our human weakness and the enemy’s tactics, we might turn our focus back to the problem, slip away from the Lord, and begin to fall.

Notice that Scripture says Peter “began to sink,” not that he sank. Likewise, we may not fall apart all at once. It begins gradually, as our focus on Jesus fades. The encouraging truth is that if we are careful to recognize that we are beginning to fall, we can cry out to Jesus for help—just as Peter did. And if we call unto Him, He will answer, and He will extend His loving hands to lift us up and will not let us sink. And if we persistently continue to focus on Him, He will become so real in our lives. Just as when He got into their boat, the storm ceased, the very problems that once overpowered us will fade away.

Therefore, the key to complete victory is to keep focusing on Jesus until the very end. If you are facing a challenging situation today, I encourage you to stop worrying and dwelling on your problems. Instead, cast your cares onto Him in prayer and keep your focus on Jesus through thanksgiving, praise, worship and prayer. As Hebrews 12:2 admonishes us, “Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith,” so that we may rise above our circumstances and walk in victory, for the Lord is our helper in times of trouble.

God bless you!