Try Trusting

Introduction

Family Meeting

Try giving your best gift by December 5th

Try = make an attempt or effort to do something

Tension

We all like comfort.

We like stability. We like control.

We like plans, direction, knowing what to expect

But life with Jesus doesn’t often feel like that

Most of the time it’s like being in a storm — and hearing Him call your name from the waves

Faith doesn’t begin when the storm ends — it begins when you try trusting Jesus in the middle of it.

Truth

Matthew 14:22–26 “Immediately after this, Jesus insisted that his disciples get back into the boat and cross to the other side of the lake, while he sent the people home. After sending them home, he went up into the hills by himself to pray. Night fell while he was there alone. Meanwhile, the disciples were in trouble far away from land, for a strong wind had risen, and they were fighting heavy waves. About three o’clock in the morning Jesus came toward them, walking on the water. When the disciples saw him walking on the water, they were terrified. In their fear, they cried out, “It’s a ghost!”

Imagine being one of the disciples that night

The wind’s howling. The waves are crashing

And suddenly you see a figure walking on top of the water

You’d be terrified

Trust grows in the storm, not away from it

Matthew 14:27–29 “But Jesus spoke to them at once. “Don’t be afraid,” he said. “Take courage. I am here!” Then Peter called to him, “Lord, if it’s really you, tell me to come to you, walking on the water.” “Yes, come,” Jesus said. So Peter went over the side of the boat and walked on the water toward Jesus.”

Then Jesus says, “Don’t be afraid.”

And Peter — the bold one — says, “Lord, if it’s really You, tell me to come.”

Jesus says one word: “Come.”

And Peter does something no one else in the boat was willing to do…

he tries

But here’s the tension:

Most of us want to see calm waters before we step out

We want the storm to stop before we trust

But faith doesn’t work like that

Trust grows in the storm, not away from it

Peter walked on what everyone else was afraid of

That’s what trust does — it walks on top of what others sink in.

Matthew 14:30–33 “But when he saw the strong wind and the waves, he was terrified and began to sink. “Save me, Lord!” he shouted. Jesus immediately reached out and grabbed him. “You have so little faith,” Jesus said. “Why did you doubt me?” When they climbed back into the boat, the wind stopped. Then the disciples worshiped him. “You really are the Son of God!” they exclaimed.”

But notice something:

When Peter started to sink, it wasn’t because Jesus failed him — it was because Peter shifted his focus

He stopped looking at Jesus and started looking at the wind

trust isn’t about certainty — it’s about focus.

Yet even in his doubt, Peter still did something right: he reached out

And immediately, Jesus caught him.

Jesus didn’t shame him. He didn’t say, “You blew it.” He said, “Why did you doubt?”

Not as a rebuke — but as an invitation.

As if to say, “Peter, I was right here the whole time.”

This story isn’t really about Peter walking on water — it’s about learning that you can trust Jesus even when the waves rise.

Trust grows in the storm, not away from it

Application

Try Trusting Jesus in the Middle of It.

You may not be facing physical waves, but you’ve got your own storm:

A situation you can’t control

A relationship you can’t fix

A future you can’t see

And Jesus is saying the same word to you today:  Come

Don’t wait for everything to settle

Don’t wait for perfect peace to take a step of faith

The miracle happens in motion

This week, try trusting Jesus in one area you’ve been holding back.

Maybe it’s trusting Him with your finances

Maybe it’s trusting Him with your kids

Maybe it’s trusting Him with the direction of your future

Whatever it is, step out

Try trusting

Keep your eyes on Jesus

you might find that the very thing that threatened to drown you might be the thing He uses to build your faith