TRUSTING GOD IN THESE UNCERTAIN TIMES

From my childhood until now, I’ve always had a love for water, especially the ocean. I
learned how to swim at an early age so I never really had a fear of water or drowning or anything
like that. When I first learned how to swim, one of the first lessons I was ever told was to “never
fight against the water if I felt like I was drowning!” After that, my swimming instructor taught
me more valuable lessons that would prevent me from drowning. First, they said use your own
buoyancy, which is the natural ability to float in water. The goal in buoyancy is to propel your
body to the top of the water’s surface. Kicking would be added while you are trying to get
yourself to the top. If a person is unaware of these valuable keys to swimming, they will
definitely fear the water, which would keep them from having fun and being free to swim in the
water. People may fear swimming because of the uncertainty water brings. Water is not solid
like the ground we walk on.

In life, there are times when we face uncertainty. Job loss. Marriage failure.
Relationships estranged. Sickness plaguing our bodies. Death of a loved one. These are examples
of when we don’t know what the future holds. In these times of uncertainty, we need to get
valuable lessons, just like a new swimmer, on how to manage during those times. The Bible is
filled with valuable lessons about how to deal with moments of uncertainty in life.
Peter, a disciple of Jesus Christ, is a person who can give us some insight on what to do
when times are uncertain and unstable. In Matthew 14:22-33…The disciples were in a boat Jesus
asked them to get in. Jesus came to them walking on the water. The disciples thought Jesus was
a ghost. Peter recognized Jesus and asked him if he could walk to where he was on the ocean.
Jesus was doing something impossible for man, but Peter had enough faith to know he could do
anything with Jesus’ help. Jesus told him to come and Peter began to walk on the water.
Suddenly, Peter took his eyes off Jesus and began to sink. Jesus immediately rescued Peter and
they both returned to the boat. Peter was a water-walker for as long as he kept his eyes on Jesus.
Walking on the water was Peter’s moment of uncertainty. Life can be as uncertain and
unstable as water, but let’s look at Peter’s experience to see what we can learn. What can Peter’s
water-walking experience teach us? What do we do when we are facing times of uncertainty?

Water-walking 101…Tips on trusting God during uncertain times.
Matthew 14:22-33

• You have been sent by God. (v. 22) – “Immediately Jesus made the disciples get into the boat and go on ahead of him to the other side, while he dismissed the crowd.” God has commissioned us to go through times of uncertainty.
• Understand the power of prayer. (v.23) – “After he (Jesus) had dismissed them, he went up on a mountainside by himself to pray.” We need to remember before we go through any uncertain times, Jesus has already prayed for us.
• Adversity will come. (v. 24) – “and the boat was already a considerable distance from land, buffeted by the waves because the wind was against it.” Trouble will come during this lifetime. Expect it.
• Jesus is your example so do what He does. (v. 25) – “Shortly before dawn Jesus went out to them, walking on the lake.” Jesus walking on the water shows us that we can do the impossible too.
• Allow Jesus to calm your fears. (v. 26-27) – “When the disciples saw him walking on the lake, they were terrified. “It’s a ghost,” they said, and cried out in fear. But Jesus immediately said to them: “Take courage! It is I. Don’t be afraid.” Jesus is committed to allowing fear to be silent in our lives.
• Have the boldness and the courage to leave your boat behind. (v. 28) “Lord, if it’s you,” Peter replied, “tell me to come to you on the water.” The boat represents a place of comfort and stability that sometimes we have to leave to see the power of God.
• Keep your eyes on Jesus and you will never go down. (v. 29) “Come,” he said. Then Peter got down out of the boat, walked on the water and came toward Jesus.” Fixing your eyes on Jesus is one sure way to conquer during times of uncertainty.
• When you lose your focus, you will be conquered by what wants to conquer you! (v. 30) “But when he saw the wind, he was afraid and, beginning to sink, cried out, “Lord, save me!”” If you lose your focus during uncertain times, you will lose a lot.
• God’s watchful eye is on you, ready to help in your time of need. (v. 31) “Immediately Jesus reached out his hand and caught him. “You of little faith,” he said, “why did you doubt?”” If you do lose focus, Jesus will get you back on track.
• Many will worship Jesus because of your testimony of trusting God in uncertain times. (v.32-33) “And when they climbed into the boat, the wind died down. 33 Then those who were in the boat worshiped him, saying, “Truly you are the Son of God.”” Our testimony of trusting God in uncertain times will help to bring someone through and bring God the glory.

Shawn Outlaw

Shawn is a Woman of God, with a Word from God for the People of God. Shawn has a passion for seeing God’s people grow in grace and in the knowledge of Him. Because of this passion, God has opened many doors for her to speak at revivals, seminars, prayer breakfasts, workshops, etc… Shawn also has a desire to see all God’s people worship Him in spirit and in truth. She has led and sang on Praise Worship Teams within the Body of Christ. Her life verse is Palms 34:1, “I will bless the Lord at all times and his praise shall continually be in my mouth.”

Currently, Shawn is a faithful member of Seeds of Greatness Bible Church. Shawn is active in various ministries within the church. She serves on the ministerial team, dances on the Word-in-Motion dance team and teaches the children in the Seedlings Youth Ministry. Also, Shawn is the founder and servant-leader of the W.I.S.D.O.M. ministries, a weekly women’s conference call geared to study the women of the Bible and gain the wisdom from their lives.

Shawn, along with her W.I.S.D.O.M. Core team, has published a book entitled, WISDOM SPEAKS: The Beginning of Wisdom. This book is the first of many books to come.