Laced With Grace – Christian Devotions

Don’t Focus On Your Circumstances

By Iris Nelson October 12, 2018 Character, Devotion

Dear friends of Laced with Grace: today I am sharing a re-post of one of our members who is traveling through hurricane Michael to attend the funeral of her beloved earthly father. Please keep Bernadine, her family, and all people who are in the path of Michael, in your prayers. I think that Bernadine’s post from last October is fitting for today. Thank you for your continued support of Laced with Grace, and the entire community of believers.

Have you ever been happily focusing on doing the things that would get you to the destiny you envisioned for yourself when something happened? You had the faith that you would be victorious. You could already see the progress you were making and you were excited about it. If you kept your focus and kept moving forward it was okay. You could see the finish line, success was in reach. However, you took your eyes off your goal and allowed outside distractions to cause you to doubt that you could complete the task.

This happened to Peter. He and the other disciples were out on a boat when they saw Jesus coming towards them, walking on the water. They were in doubt that it was indeed Jesus. Peter however said to Jesus, if it’s you tell me to come to you.

26 When the disciples saw him walking on the water, they were terrified. In their fear, they cried out, “It’s a ghost!”

27 But Jesus spoke to them at once. “Don’t be afraid,” he said. “Take courage. I am here![b]”

28 Then Peter called to him, “Lord, if it’s really you, tell me to come to you, walking on the water.”

Matthew 14:26-28 (NLT)

Jesus did and, Peter jumped out of the boat and began walking on the water towards Jesus. He was doing fine until he began to focus on the winds and the waves more than he was focusing on Jesus. He began to sink and cried out to Jesus to save him.

Do you see yourself in Peter? I know I do. There have been times where I was happily working on projects that were important to me. I was experiencing success and able to envision the completed project. Then for some reason I began to doubt that it could happen. I focused on the negatives instead of positive until I pushed it aside.

Lately I’ve taken inspiration from Peter. He cried out to Jesus as he began to sink. He recognized he was in trouble and couldn’t do it on his own strength. Jesus didn’t disappoint him.

31 Jesus immediately reached out and grabbed him. “You have so little faith,” Jesus said. “Why did you doubt me?” Matthew 14:31 (NLT)

Have you been guilty of focusing on your circumstances instead of your goals? Call on Jesus.

Has your faith been shaken because of something someone said? Call on Jesus.

Are you feeling intimidate and unable to achieve the success you dreamed about? Call on Jesus.

It is never too late to call on Him. Peter didn’t just allow himself to sink when he knew help was right in front of him. He asked for help and he received it.

I want to encourage you to, keep moving forward. Doubts will come. Sometimes you’ll failed at things you thought you’d be successful at. You’ll feel the weight of disappointment but, keep moving forward. Jesus will always be there. You can always call on Him and trust Him to reach out His helping hand to assist you on your journey to success.

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One thought on “Don’t Focus On Your Circumstances”

  1. Katie Sweeting

    Iris,
    Thanks for sharing Bernadine’s post.

    Bernadine,
    You are in my thoughts and prayers. I know how hard it is when a girl’s dad dies – I feel for you.
    Your sister,
    Katie