Devotion....

This is from one of my Christianity.com daily devotions... I looooove them....

"'O man of little faith,' Jesus said, 'Why did you doubt me?'" Matthew14:33b (TLB)

Devotion: My daughter has struggled with fear her entire life. We first noticed itwhen she was a baby. She would hold her breath when we carried her downa flight of stairs. Then, at the age of five, she passed out whileriding the Ferris wheel at the state fair. Her fears sometimes hinderher from even participating in life--from being an active contributor tosociety.

Over the years, my heart has broken for her as I've watched her holdback from doing the things she really wanted to do. Playing it safe onlyleft her depressed. She lived most days looking at the world from behinda wall of safety glass, longing to be free. She'd often ask the samequestion, "Mom, why can't I be full of faith instead of fear?" My answerwas always the same. "You are full of faith. You just let fear crowd itout."

Freedom came when Peyton decided that she didn't want to live withregrets any longer. She pushed through her fear by exercising her faithin God. In doing so, her life is now marked by joy, peace, adventure,and courage.

Let me ask you, how many times have you wanted to do something, plansomething, or even dare to dream something, but were too afraid? Youknow deep within that your torment isn't right. You know you're missingout on life and opportunities, but you're too scared to do anythingabout it.

Those of us who live with anxiety are living below the mark of what wewere created to be. Worry and its accompanying emotions are not andnever were part of God's plan for His children. Yet thousands live thisway each day.

I've often wondered about the eleven disciples who stayed in the boatinstead of stepping out onto the water like Peter (Matthew 14:33). Didthey live with regret? I don't know. They did, however, miss an amazingopportunity to walk on water with Christ! Sadly, most people stay in thesafety of the boat their entire lives and then wonder why life seems soempty, miserable, and dull. They go through life missing opportunitiesbecause they're afraid to really live the way God intended. What'sChrist response to all of this? He asks "Why do you doubt me?" (Matthew14:33).

Doubt was the disciples' trouble. When Peter threw one leg over the sideof the boat, nobody believed he could walk on water. I can almost hearhis friends calling out, "Peter? Have you lost your mind? You can't dothat!" And yet, while that thought was still fresh on the minds of hisfriends, Peter was already doing it. He was walking on water!

Is there someone in your life planting doubt in your heart and mind oversomething you're already doing? If so, don't listen. Don't look back.Keep your eyes on Jesus and your faith will enable you to walk on water.Exercising your faith is key to courageous living. Like Peter, we arethen able to step out of the boat into a world of possibilities.

Dear Lord, I'm ready to get out of the boat by trusting You with myfears. Be visible before me so that my faith will be strong and doubtwill flee. In Jesus' Name, Amen.