Faith Over Fear
Posted on Aug 04, 2026 by Shari Van Baale
This Sunday’s Gospel reading is a familiar one. The disciples, after a rough night at sea, see Jesus walking on the water. This made them very fearful, thinking it was a ghost, as they had never seen anyone walk on water before.
Jesus tells them not to be afraid. He summons Peter to walk on the water toward him, but Peter becomes frightened from the strong wind and begins to sink as he walks on the water toward Jesus. Peter cries out to Jesus for help.
“Jesus immediately reached out his hand and caught him, saying to him, ‘You of little faith, why did you doubt?’ When they got into the boat, the wind ceased. And those in the boat worshiped him, saying, ‘Truly you are the Son of God.’” (Matthew 14:31-33)
We may be more like Peter than we realize. It is easy to trust in God when things are going well, but it becomes harder when we face things that are scary, unexpected, or beyond our control. Then we might become plagued with doubt, just as Peter was doubtful he could walk on the water toward Jesus.
Jesus calmed the wind and their fear. The act of faith by Peter, along with Jesus saving him and calming the wind, shows how Jesus comes to the disciples when they are in trouble and sustains them in their time of fear and doubt. He can do the same for all of us. It might not be as dramatic as in this story, but he will carry us when we are afraid if we trust and believe in him. He is always with us, bringing us peace to overcome our fears and doubts.
Shari Van Baale
Salem Communications Coordinator