I’m learning today that I have a long way to go.

It’s one thing to know it. As a Christian, I realize sanctification – the lifelong process of God working in us to grow us closer to Him and in His holiness – is just that: a process.

It’s another thing altogether to feel God telling you: you have a long way to go.

I find myself trying to fix my problems. I’m fine, I can do this. Right?

yeah… no.

I’m sure I’m not the only person who feels like I do. I struggle with a lot of fears.

Failure.

Rejection.

Humiliation.

Loss.

Friends marathons on TV.

I’ve had a lot of sleepless nights lately. I’ve been so focused on my stressful situations that I forgot the true Peter Principle. Not the Laurence J. Peters management book, but the Simon Peter Principle.

You’re most likely familiar with the account of Peter walking to Jesus on the stormy sea (Matthew 14:22-33). Peter wants so bad to please Jesus. He loves Him. And everything is going fine, until..

³⁰ But when he saw the wind, he was afraid, and beginning to sink he cried out, “Lord, save me.” ³¹ Jesus immediately reached out his hand and took hold of him, saying to him, “O you of little faith, why did you doubt?” – Matthew 14:30-31 (ESV).

I’m embarrassed to admit it because, over the years, I’ve taught this Scripture more times than I can count. And I still face these fears.

I need to remember to keep my eyes on Jesus, not on the storm. I have to trust God in all things, at all times.

Even when the storm still rages, He has ahold of me.

Even when the stress grows, God is still in control.

Even when the fear compounds, I am safely in His hands.

Today – Easter Sunday – the Lord reminded me of what He did for us.

He reminded me of the Simon Peter Principle: keep my eyes on Jesus, knowing He has me in His grasp, and will never let me go. He’s in control of the storm, and the boat, and the entirety of our circumstances. I may feel like I’m going to drown, but I’m not.

He reminded me He is the only source of good.

He reminded me I don’t need to understand what’s going on in my life. I just need to trust Him.

He reminded me of His miracles – water to wine, providing the coin in the fish’s mouth to pay the tax, knowing the woman at the well having never met her, healing after healing, sight to the blind, strength to the lame, feeding tens of thousands with one child’s lunch, raising Lazarus from the dead, raising Himself from the dead, ascending into Heaven… He reminded me He can handle my little problems.

He reminded me to let go of my pride.

He reminded me that, even if I can’t feel His presence, He is still with me.

He reminded me my struggles are His way of growing me.

He reminded me to walk by faith, not by sight.

He reminded me His Word is Truth, not the world.

He reminded me He loves me.

And, by the way, the same goes for you. For those of us who love God, He is with us. He is greater than our troubles, our fears, our weaknesses, our pain, our sorrow, our cares…

Just trust God.