Take a Deep Breath

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

“Yes, come,” Jesus said.

So Peter went over the side of the boat and walked on the water toward Jesus.³⁰ But when he saw the strong wind and the waves, he was terrified and began to sink. “Save me, Lord!” he shouted.

Jesus immediately reached out and grabbed him. “You have so little faith,”Jesus said. “Why did you doubt me?”

– Matthew 14:28-31

Have you ever felt like you’re drowning?

Like you’re literally under water grasping for your next breath, fighting against the waves of water crashing over you?

Except….you’re not really in water, but instead the thing you’re trying to stay afloat of is your life.

I’ve felt like that.

I can recall this one night I thought I was having a heart attack. I found myself clutching my chest grasping for air; I was so overwhelmed.

In between the breaths I was managing to get out, combined with my tears, all I could get out vocally was “Oh God”.

Shortly after, I felt the presence of the Lord wash over me in a way I can’t explain, as a hand gently placed itself on my back and I heard the Lord saying, “My daughter deep breath.”

At that point, immediately I exhaled deeply and my breathing began to return to normal. Of course I was still crying, but now what were tears of anguish was mixed with tears of relief, of awe, of comfort.

How did I even get to this point of feeling like I was drowning? I asked myself. Had I forgotten who God was?

I realized I had become like Peter out there on the water. Yes, I was in a storm and the waves of life were crashing against me, but I had lost sight of the fact that had I called on the name of the Lord before I started drowning, I could have walked on top of the waves of life in victory rather than begin to sink beneath them in fear and dismay.

We hear this story over and over again, the message the same; that we have to keep our eyes on Jesus that no matter what we cannot lose sight of Him. However, sometimes it doesn’t really click for you until you begin to see yourself in the scripture, until you become that character. I had become who Peter was in that moment, when he began to sink beneath the waves because he had taken his eyes off of Jesus.

I know this is for somebody. How many of you are drowning? How many of you have forgotten who God is? How many of you have forgotten that He knows ALL about you and is still ALL about you?

If this is you, do you know that God is not even going to scold you for taking your eyes off of Him, He is simply going to tell you to take a deep breath, and remind you of the stability and peace He can offer you when you keep your eyes on Him.

With that one breath, He will usher in His peace which surpasses all understanding. For the first time in however long, you will feel like you are above the water and not getting lost in it.

Some of the lyrics from one of my favorite worship songs from Hillsong United, Oceans, words this experience so perfectly.

And I will call upon Your name
And keep my eyes above the waves
When oceans rise
My soul will rest in Your embrace
For I am Yours and You are mine

Spirit lead me where my trust is without borders
Let me walk upon the waters
Wherever You would call me
Take me deeper than my feet could ever wander
And my faith will be made stronger
In the presence of my Savior

Keep “your eyes above the waves.” Keep them on Jesus, and take a deep breath.

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