But when he saw the strong wind and the waves, he was terrified and began to sink. Matthew 14:30

It had been Peter’s idea. After choosing common sense over adhering to Jesus’ request to feed a thousand people the day before (How were they going to do that?), Peter leaned on his heart’s understanding this time, that if Jesus said to come, His word would empower him to walk on water. So he called to Jesus, “Lord, if it’s really you, tell me to come to you, walking on the water.”

“Yes, come,” Jesus responded.

This time he wouldn’t fail Him, Peter thought. Surrendering the need to control, Peter defied all that made sense. Acting on faith, he stepped out of the boat’s security, and believe it or not, began walking on the water toward his Lord. But it was short-lived. It didn’t take long for his limiting beliefs of self-reliance and dominance to take the helm, reminding him that men do not walk on water, and he immediately went from Peter on the water to Peter in the water.

I often tend to operate from the head, relying on intellectual knowledge, logic, and analysis. While these faculties are God-given and valuable, they are not the seat of life change. True transformation happens when God’s Word in our hearts propels us to action, empowered by the Holy Spirit.

Have you ever felt yourself sinking when saboteur voices of doubt and fear take over, distorting your perspectives and leading you to base decisions on insecurity rather than faith? I certainly have.  I overthink, which, if I am honest, is only a means to delay action, keeping me trapped in planning rather than acting all the while the Lord is saying, “Come.” My mind’s desire for control can so often undermine the spontaneity of the Spirit’s prompting.  I put my trust in logic, which can create a false sense of security, causing me to resist risk-taking and faith steps that align with God’s purposes.

When God’s Word is internalized in our hearts, not merely understood in our minds, God’s changing power is unleashed. It moves beyond intellectual understanding to Spirit-led action. We avoid that sinking feeling when we act from our hearts.  We walk on water when the Lord calls us to “Come.”