Fixing your gaze

Matthew 14:29-30 NIV:
“Come,” he said. Then Peter got down out of the boat, walked on the water and came toward Jesus. But when he saw the wind, he was afraid and, beginning to sink, cried out, “Lord, save me!”

Storms are a part of the journey called 'life'. They are necessary for our growth, development and depth. God weaves them through the threads of our lives in the form of family, friends, work, business and marriage. What then are we to do with them? How do we handle them? What do we do when they arise?
Peter's life is a lesson to us in this regard. The fact that Jesus lives in you does not preclude you from storms. Some of us came to Christ under the assumption that salvation would bring an end to all storms. However, evidence around us sugggests that this is far from reality. Storms do not end simply because Christ is in the boat; fear of the unknown is only replaced by a quiet confidence in the ability of God to bring us through the storms.
Peter was caught in  a storm too. He was the chief disciple, close to Christ himself, yet he was caught in a storm. Christ showed up, as he always does, just when we need him most. Why didn't he come before the storm started? Or why didn't he keep Peter from the storm? God is the One who determines the when, the what and the how. All we need to do is to keep our eyes fixed on the only One who can take you safely to the end of your journey.
I think this is where Peter and many of us miss it. We are so fixed on the problem that we forget the solution. The problem seems so big that we forget that there's even a bigger God who can help. We think we can do our best first before we call God in, forgetting that even before the problem ever became one, God has always been the refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. God is always there, showing himself strong as we trust his power, wisdom and strength. The storm will come, but it will pass, but the presence of the Lord of the storm is ever-abiding and ever-strong.
He won't leave us or abandon us to our fate. His grace is ever-sure. Rejoice, for his time of favour is here.