Many times in life we are challenged – challenged with change, with stepping out, leaving our comfort zones.

I believe to be effectual for the Kingdom of God, we have to step out of ourselves and trust Him. I mean, who wants to pray for the crippled man in the supermarket? How embarrassing. But if the Spirit whispers, “Pray for him,” then we must step out, over come our fear and do it.

It’ll be worth it!

It’s the same for our fictional characters. We drive them to a place of fear or doubt, then have the leap out in “faith” to overcome.

Peter boldly beckoned Jesus to call him out of the boat to walk on the turbulent water. Jesus saw his faith and said, “Come.” Look at what happened, though.

From Matthew 14

“And He said, “Come!” And Peter got out of the boat, and walked on the water and came toward Jesus. But seeing the wind, he became frightened, and beginning to sink, he cried out, “Lord, save me!”

Immediately Jesus stretched out His hand and took hold of him, and said to him, “You of little faith, why did you doubt?””

It’s one thing to leave our comfort zones and face life’s thresholds, but it’s another to keep the faith while we’re “out there.”

Peter lost sight of his vision. He took his eyes off Jesus. Look again at the verse above, “but seeing the wind, he became frightened.”

Look, if Pete was gazing at Jesus, he wouldn’t have seen the wind.

How many times do we take our eyes off Jesus and see the wind, feel the tossing waves. My big fat hand is in the air right now. I’ve crossed this line many times in the last six months. And you know what, I confess it as sin. Yep, call it what it is.

I use scripture to help me over come. I pray and lean on Jesus. I get mad at myself for sinking, but every time, I cry out to Him and He lifts me up.

What I want though is to NOT see the wind and waves and keep my eyes on Him. Help me, Lord!

Our characters face the same dilemma. Will they be overcome by the circumstances? Well, it’s fiction, so yes. But, then we bring them back.

This week well talk more on MyBookTherapy about crossing those personal thresholds.