Walking on water

Perhaps you've heard it before.  "Rise above" your circumstances.  But what exactly does that mean and how do we do it?

I believe it is both a mental and a spiritual feat.  We need to think differently about our situation or problem that seems insurmountable.  Are we focusing on the problem too much?  We will never rise above, if that is the case.

But how do you not look at what is "in your face," so to speak?

Some spiritual battles are fiercer than others. 

Sometimes, the enemy comes in like a flood.

When we feel like we're drowning in a sudden influx of "water," and we cry out to the Lord for help but we are still drowning, then what?  

I use the drowning analogy perhaps because I just watched "The Perfect Storm" the other night.  I'd seen it years ago but watched it again.  A spiritual attack can be like the "perfect storm."  All forces come together and hit us at once, and we feel out of control.  We cry out to God, but the wave coming on us is still 100' high. 

So we are then in survival mode.  The "rising above" our circumstances seems out of the question when we're just trying to keep our head above water!  

Eventually though, the storm passes.  

I'm still not sure how to escape the 100' spiritual attack "waves" when they literally overtake me.  Since it is overwhelming, I cave.  I give in to toxic thoughts and moods instead of pressing through with Jesus until I get victory.  

It makes me wonder how high the waves were when Peter ran toward Jesus on the water.  He certainly wasn't considering the waves when he stepped out of the boat onto, um, water.  "You can't do that, Peter!" But he did.  At least for a moment.  

"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!” Immediately Jesus reached out his hand and caught him. “You of little faith,” he said, “why did you doubt?” Matthew 14:22-23

Peter's lesson to us is simple:

1. Peter trusted Jesus
2. Peter walked on water
3. Peter focused on problem instead of Jesus
4. Peter sunk

When I lose a spiritual battle, it's because I "do" numbers 3 and 4. Every. Time.  

I hate losing.  I especially hate losing to a defeated foe.  And the devil has already been defeated by Christ on Calvary.  Remind me of that next time I face a 100' wave!

Maybe I am mixing my metaphors here.  After all, I don't think Peter was under a spiritual attack.  He was fighting against nature.  The storm.

But Jesus is ruler over all of nature!  Did He cause the storm to test Peter's faith?  How do we differentiate between tests from Jesus and attacks from the enemy?  Remember, the enemy is a pawn in the hands of Jesus.  Jesus uses the devil as He pleases for His higher purposes.  We learn this in the book of Job.

Whatever the battle or test is, either way, the antidote is the same:  keep my eyes on Jesus!

Dear Lord.  I do not want to fail You.  But when the spiritual attacks are too great for me and loom over me as 100' waves, sometimes it is hard to not focus on them.  I want to focus on You instead, Lord, because You will provide victory for me if I only believe.  Help me with this, Lord.  Help me experience Your victories over every spiritual battle I face - large and small - so that my faith will become stronger, and so that You get the glory that You deserve.  In Jesus' Name.  Amen.