By Shawn Blackmon
Let me ask you something. How much faith do you really have?
Sometimes we think faith has to be big, loud, and perfect. But the truth is, it doesn’t take much. Even a small amount of faith, when placed in the right hands, can hold everything together.
Jesus shows us this in Matthew 14.
The disciples were doing exactly what He told them to do. They got in the boat. They were moving forward in obedience. And yet, right in the middle of doing what God said, a storm showed up.
That alone should settle something in your spirit. Following Jesus does not remove storms from your life. The storm is not a sign that you are out of God’s will. Sometimes it is proof that you are right in it.
The disciples had walked with Jesus. They had seen miracles. They had heard His teaching. But when the storm hit, fear took over. They saw Jesus walking toward them and thought He was a ghost.
That is what fear does. It will make you misidentify what God is doing in your life. Instead of seeing a Savior, they saw a problem. Instead of recognizing power, they focused on pressure.
And if we are honest, we do the same thing.
Storms do not create fear. They reveal what we truly believe.
You may think your faith is strong, but a storm will show you where your trust really is. It does not make you weak. It makes you human. And it reminds you where your faith needs to grow. But here is the good news. Even in the middle of the storm, Jesus still speaks.
He told them, “Do not be afraid.” Then He told Peter one simple word: “Come.”
Not a long explanation. Not a step-by-step plan. Just a command. And that is how God often moves. He does not give you the full picture. He gives you the next step.
Peter stepped out of the boat and did what nobody else had done. He walked on water. Not because the storm stopped, but because his focus was on Jesus. But the moment he shifted his focus to the wind and the waves, he began to sink.
That is the tension we all live in.
When your eyes are on Jesus, you move forward. When your eyes are on the storm, you start to sink.
And yet, even when Peter began to fall, he knew who to call.
“Lord, save me.”
And immediately, Jesus reached out and pulled him up.
That means your failure does not disqualify you. Your moment of doubt does not cancel our calling. Jesus will still meet you right where you are.
Here is the lesson.
Obedience does not eliminate opposition. Storms reveal what you believe. God still speaks in the middle of chaos. And faith keeps moving forward.
Faith is not about the storm stopping. It is about you not stopping because of the storm.
You are on assignment. And God never promised it would be easy. But He did promise to be with you.
So do not let what you are facing stop you from going where God is taking you.
Keep your eyes on Him. Keep moving forward. And trust that the same Jesus who called you will carry you through. Because the closer you get to Him, the more peace you will find, even in the middle of your storm.
Walk in grace. Stand in truth. Live blessed.
