Matt 14:29-31 – He said, “Come.” So Peter got out of the boat and walked on the water and came to Jesus. But when he saw the wind, he was afraid, and beginning to sink he cried out, “Lord, save me.” Jesus immediately reached out his hand and took hold of him, saying to him, “O you of little faith, why did you doubt?” ESV
Peter, which is from the Greek name Petros, meaning rock, was an impetuous fellow. In multiple places in the Gospels he is recorded to have leapt into action, and then dealt with the consequences later. Isn’t that so like many of us in recovery? In this scene, he gets out of a boat and while focusing on Jesus, walks on water. Then he has that moment that all impulsive have when they realize what they have got themselves into. He takes his focus away from Jesus and begins to sink. This is when we see that famous phrase, “O you of little faith, why did you doubt?”
I have no doubt that if Peter lived in our century he would be an addict. He has so many of the behavioral characteristics of an impulsive and immature adult, the kind that often ends up in serious compulsive activities.
Peter, at this point in the New Testament story, is an example of a person that is controlled by his emotions. Just like so many of us, he did what he felt like doing, without thinking things through or counting the cost. After Christ rose from the dead Peter became a different man, he became a man controlled by the Spirit, piloted by faith and focused on Jesus.
We all have the choice of allowing our emotions to control us, or allowing the Spirit to lead us. And it is our faith that is the key to living out our lives. Do we have faith in our emotions or in Christ?
