Have you ever followed what you felt God was asking you to do—only to be hit by trouble soon after? It’s a pattern many believers know well. The moment you begin to walk by faith, the enemy shows up with distractions, doubt, and fear, all designed to knock you off course.

Jesus explained it this way: “And these are the ones by the wayside where the word is sown. When they hear, Satan comes immediately and takes away the word that was sown in their hearts.” — Mark 4:15

Satan knows he can’t directly take God’s promises from you. Instead, he stirs up the natural realm to make you second-guess what God has said. He hits your senses—what you see, hear, and feel—to override what you believe. That’s exactly what happened to Peter on the water in Matthew 14:22–33. The disciples were caught in a storm when they saw Jesus walking toward them on the sea. Fear gripped their hearts, but Jesus immediately calmed them: “Be of good cheer! It is I; do not be afraid.” — Matthew 14:27

Faith and fear don’t travel together. That’s why Jesus addressed fear first—it’s the great faith killer. Peter responded in faith and said: “‘Lord, if it is You, command me to come to You on the water.’ So He said, ‘Come.’” — Matthew 14:28–29

And Peter walked on water. A fisherman… doing the impossible. But the moment he looked at the wind instead of Jesus, everything changed. “But when he saw that the wind was boisterous, he was afraid; and beginning to sink he cried out, saying, ‘Lord, save me!’” — Matthew 14:30

His shift in focus turned faith into fear—and down he went. That same battle plays out in our lives. We take that first bold step. Then the enemy tosses waves at us: discouragement, delays, financial setbacks, conflict, confusion. It all serves one purpose—to pull our attention off of God’s Word.

Jesus immediately rescued Peter: “And immediately Jesus stretched out His hand and caught him, and said to him, ‘O you of little faith, why did you doubt?’” — Matthew 14:31

And as soon as they stepped into the boat, the storm stopped. Why? Because the test was over. The distraction no longer served its purpose.

What about you? Are you in the middle of a storm today? Are you walking in obedience, only to feel like the winds are against you? Remember what Peter forgot: his ability to walk on the water had nothing to do with the waves—it had everything to do with the Word Jesus spoke: Come.

When God gives you a promise—when His Word becomes alive in your spirit—it’s your job to keep your eyes on that Word. Don’t let fear get a foothold. Don’t let your natural mind reason away what God has planted in your heart. Whatever the promise—healing, provision, direction, restoration—hold tight to it. Refuse to let go.

Glance at the problem. Gaze at the Word.
The winds may rage, but if your focus is fixed on Jesus, you won’t sink. You’ll walk—one step at a time—into the impossible made possible.

And with God, nothing is impossible,

Dale Black

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