The past week or so has been a bit stressful. I’ll just be honest and say I feel everyday like I am having some sort of panic attack. Totally not me. I chalk it up to the surgery right around the corner and of course feeling like I have to get a million things done before that day arrives. I was also feeling stressed not having the details in regards to my pre-op day or my surgery day. Details people, details….Sheesh don’t they know me! Getting caught with all the details and feeling like I had everything ready, I couldn’t understand why I would feel stressed. I’m prepared. Checklist complete!

This morning I was sitting readying my bible and reading a couple devotionals and had such peace. I thought wow, I don’t feel stressed right now. I wasn’t having the palpitations, I didn’t feel anxious or nervous. I felt peace. The minute I started to think about my surgery that is now only a week away and thinking about what is yet to come I started to feel stressed.

This is an easy conclusion my friends. My focus needs to be on Jesus. Probably one of the best examples is Peter. Good old Peter.

 “Immediately Jesus made the disciples get into the boat and go on ahead of him to the other side, while he dismissed the crowd. After he had dismissed them, he went up on a mountainside by himself to pray. Later that night, he was there alone, and the boat was already a considerable distance from land, buffeted by the waves because the wind was against it.

Shortly before dawn Jesus went out to them, walking on the lake. 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.”

“Come,” he said.

Then Peter got down out of the boat, walked on the water and came toward Jesus. But when he saw the wind, he was afraid and, beginning to sink, cried out, “Lord, save me!”

 Immediately Jesus reached out his hand and caught him. “You of little faith,” he said, “why did you doubt?”

And when they climbed into the boat, the wind died down. Then those who were in the boat worshiped him, saying, “truly you are the Son of God.’”

 There are so many lessons in this passage of scripture but I want to talk about what I need to focus on when the winds start to blow and the storm rises up. When Peter kept his focus on Jesus he had no trouble walking on the water. There wasn’t any fear. The minute he began to panic and focus on the storm he started to sink! No surprise. In my own situation I need look no further than this biblical truth to find that my focus needs to be more on God and less on my situation. Of course I am going to be nervous, it’s a big surgery! But there is no need for it to consume me or make me feel anxious. Have you ever said the words “I get nervous just thinking about it!”? Wow! So true for me today! I need to quit thinking about it!

My Prayer: Today Lord, I choose to focus on you. The author and perfecter of my faith. Thank you Lord for your gentle reminders when I lose that focus. I am sorry when I lose sight of you in the midst of my trouble. Thank you Lord that through only you I can find peace in the midst of the storm.