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.” “Lord, if it’s you,” Peter replied, “tell me to come to you on the water.” (Matthew 14:26-28)
Have you noticed that people respond differently in stressful situations? One person responds one way. Another acts very differently. Determining what’s ‘normal’ is not always easy, or even possible.
Consider the situation as reported in Matthew’s Gospel. The disciples are in a boat on the Sea of Galilee- at night. Suddenly they see what they believe is a ghost walking on the water toward their boat. The disciples cry out in fear. But get this. After Jesus identifies himself, Peter requests permission to walk on the water to Jesus! And he did- until the winds and waves stressed him out and he began to sink.
Teaching point? There are many, but one is to recognize and understand how you respond in stressful situations. Don’t worry so much about what’s normal.
Regardless of how you respond, the Lord is always there to help.
