Night terrors.  If you have ever experienced them, you know the drill.  Panic attack.  Pounding and racing heart.  Breathlessness.  Rapid Breathing. Terror induced by ……?  I’m not always sure.

When panic wakens me in the middle of the night, I am learning to call out to my Father for help.  I know of no other source to calm my anxious heart.  During one terrible episode, He responded to my call for help by painting a mental picture of Peter’s walking on the water experience.
     

The disciple Matthew records this story in Matthew 14.  The disciples have just experienced amazing miracles at the hands of Jesus and He has sent them on ahead of him to the other side of the water.  Jesus Himself goes up on a mountain by himself to pray.  He sees the disciples in the boat that is now “buffeted  by the waves because the wind was against it (Matthew 14:24).”  Though some were experienced fishermen, this is a recipe for questioning the wisdom of their leader.  Suddenly, Jesus appears before them: walking on top of the water.

Think about it.  The disciples have just experienced totally outside of the box miracles, their emotions are running high, adrenalin coursing through their veins.  Now they are struggling to keep their boat from tipping and suddenly, a ghost appears and is coming toward them!  They were terrified!  I bet they were! This is night terrors in living color.  Matthew 14:27 says, “But Jesus immediately said to them; “Take courage! It is I.  Don’t be afraid.”  Peter tells Jesus, “If it is really you, call me to come out.”  Jesus calls his bluff. Peter begins to walk on the water.  As the wind picks up, so does Peter’s fear; instead of keeping his eyes on Jesus, he succumbs to his fear and begins to sink.  He calls out to Jesus, “Lord, save me!”           (Matthew 14:30)   Jesus immediately reaches out his hand and saves Peter. 
 

In the middle of my night terror, I clearly heard Jesus call my name and say, “In the darkness, keep your eyes on me and you will not sink.” I envisioned myself walking on water, out to Jesus and He was holding his arms out to me.  I cling on to that image each time I wake up in a panic. 
Lest you think this is hokey pokey, feel good sugary mysticism, listen carefully.  Choosing to focus on Jesus calms my anxious heart because I know who my God is.  I know that He is sovereign over all things.  Choosing to focus on Jesus leads me to focus on His promises. I remember that there is not a single hair on my head that can be touched unless He allows it.  I know that He is strong and mighty.  He is faithful.  I can trust Him.  I know that He has promised to always be with me.  

Staying focused on the character of God in this messy world becomes more critical every day as I wonder what the future holds for our children.  As I learn more about the character of my sovereign God, I am better equipped emotionally to trust Him in the darkness and the unknown twists of life.

Do you know who our God is?  Christians often miss out on a deeper relationship with our Heavenly Father.  We trust in Jesus for our eternal salvation, but we miss out on the blessings of trusting in Him for everyday needs, whether they are big or small.  When we know who He is and all that He can do, we know that we can find all that we need in Him.  We have peace like we have never known.  Knowing more about Him also enables us to share Him with others and gives us more ways to praise Him. 

I invite you to join me in my journey to learn more about His character so that choosing to focus on Him when the storms rage becomes my first response. Proverbs 18:10 states, “The name of the Lord is a strong tower; the righteous run to it and are safe.”  Each month we will learn a name of God and how that name teaches us about His character. 

I hope you will share your stories of how the names of God help you “walk on water.”