Even when our faith falters, Christ’s mercy is instantaneous. He acts immediately to rescue us from the storm.
Peter stepped out onto the water in faith. But somewhere between that first moment and the next, he faltered. His fear began to rise, pulling him beneath the waves.
Christ did not falter. He immediately reached out and caught Peter, pulling him to safety.
Peter focused on the storm. In his fear, he lost sight of his faith.
The Nature of Doubt
“Oh, you of little faith” doesn’t mean a lack of faith entirely. It suggests an insufficient, fluctuating faith. That’s what doubt is. A momentary lack of trust.
It’s easy to trust when things are easy. Faith isn’t tested in the calm; it’s tested in the storm. It’s in the storm that we waver. Like Peter, we are overwhelmed by fear and doubt. It’s doubt that causes us to sink.
But Christ remains steadfast. His faithfulness does not waver. His grace is immediate.
Immediate Grace
When Peter falters, Christ remains firm. He doesn’t hesitate. Instead, He immediately reaches out to rescue Peter.
That’s the nature of Christ. He came to serve (Matthew 20:28). He came to save (Acts 4:12).
Christ meets our despair with hope. He meets our doubt with mercy. He carried our transgressions to the cross. And there He paid the price for our sins with immediate grace.
Our lack of faith doesn’t diminish Christ’s sacrifice. That stands firm. And when we focus on Christ, we’re able to stand firm too, even in the storm.
Keep Your Eyes on Christ.
Peter began to sink when he focused on the waves and the wind. He took his eyes off Christ. His faith was being tested, and he was losing.
Christ didn’t meet him with rebuke or condemnation. Instead, He gathered Peter to Himself and returned him to the safety of the boat.
We often take our eyes off Christ. We give in to doubt and fear, allowing the uncertainties of this world to weaken our resolve and our faith.
Risks in Faith
Christ tells us that with faith comes risk. The risks of condemnation and tribulation will always be part of this world. Yet, He also calls us to remain steadfast in faith, for He’s already overcome the world (John 16:33).
God used the tempestuous ocean waves to correct the rebellious Jonah, and He used the same raging seas to develop, increase, and perfect the faith of Peter and the other disciples.
The risks we face in faith are no match for the gift of salvation we receive through Christ. When we trust in Him, we overcome.
Faith Requires Trust
Fear may temporarily blind us to truth. Doubt may cause us to waver. But God never changes. He’s promised that when we pass through rough waters, He’s with us.
When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze.
Fear and faith are incompatible. We cannot sustain our faith when we give in to fear. We’re called to trust in Christ at all times and in every circumstance.
Why did you doubt? That’s the question Jesus asked Peter. The question He asks us. James 1:6 tells us that when we ask, we must believe and not doubt, because the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind.
Fear was the point of failure for Peter. It prevented him from continuing to trust Jesus to give him the power to do the impossible. Faith in Christ makes all things possible. But fear kills faith. Faith that does not waver, that continues steadfast into the fire and the storm, that trusts without questioning, is faith that is pleasing to God.
Oh, You of Little Faith
Why do you doubt My Word?
Have I not assured you that,
I overcome the world?
Why do you give in to fear
and take your eyes from Me?
Did I not reach through the storm
to pull you from the sea?
Oh, you of little FAITH.
Why do you stand alone,
within the darkness of the night,
When can I lead you Home?
For I’m the Way to freedom,
the pathway to salvation.
Why do you cling to your own strength
and pause in hesitation?
Oh, you of little FAITH.
How can you not see?
That I’ve already paid the price,
to set all captives free?
I’ve promised to stay near you.
I come each time you call.
And still you question that I’m here,
and weaken your resolve.
Oh, you of little FAITH.
Will you now surrender?
And trust that I’ll stand in the gap,
to comfort and defend you.
JN Fenwick (©2026)
My Prayer
Dear LORD, thank You for the gift of Your immediate MERCY and GRACE. May my FAITH not falter. May doubt and fear not ensnare me. Help me to keep my eyes firmly fixed on You. Teach me, LORD, to trust in Your PROMISE. To boldly walk into the fire and the storm KNOWING You are with me. To accept the risks, trusting that in You all things are possible. May my life forever reflect my FAITH. And may the works of my hands and the words I speak forever proclaim Your FAITHFULNESS. AMEN.
JN Fenwick (©2026) | mothjournal14 | All rights reserved. | I DO NOT WALK THIS RECOVERY JOURNEY ALONE.
I’m JN Fenwick.
Wife, mom, but more importantly, a recovering alcoholic with a grateful heart. For years, I struggled, not just with alcohol, but with an eating disorder and the burdens of guilt and shame. On March 22, 2018, I surrendered my life to Christ. I was 51. God did not forsake me. He welcomed me, as undeserving as I am. He did not see my brokenness. Instead, He saw my potential. My Recovery Journey is one of Faith. From the ashes of my failures, God built a fire in me. A fire that guides each step I take. My journey is yours. My healing can be yours, too. God is a mighty warrior. You can take comfort in the promise that the Lord will fight for you and grant you peace.
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