Fix your gaze on Jesus. That’s where your victory rests upon.
Peter stepped down from the boat, and walked on the waters to come to Jesus. But when he saw that the wind was strong, he was afraid, and beginning to sink, he cried out, saying, “Lord, save me!”
Immediately Jesus stretched out his hand, took hold of him, and said to him, “You of little faith, why did you doubt?”
-Matthew 14:29-31, WEBBE
Let us fix our gaze on Jesus. Look to no other. Do not be swayed to turn either to the left or to the right. Do not be disheartened by the many voices that move you to be anxious and afraid. Keep your eyes on Christ for only His loving gaze can help you. – Jocelyn Soriano
Many times, we become tempted to look at things that rob us of courage and take away our peace. We become curious to look back at the things of the world, at the problems that threaten us, and instead of holding on to hope, we become so immersed in it we could hardly turn away.
Never make the mistake of lifting your eyes away from Jesus. Never think that by your own strength you can defeat the foes that surround you or the darkness the looms ahead.
Looking at our troubles often magnifies them and we do not see them for what they really are. But when we look at our Lord, we see how much bigger He is than all our problems and sufferings altogether. We find strength when we look at Christ. Fix your gaze on Jesus. In Him is our hope and our peace.
Let us … remember Peter: three times he denied Jesus, precisely when he should have been closest to him; and when he hits bottom he meets the gaze of Jesus who patiently, wordlessly, says to him: “Peter, don’t be afraid of your weakness, trust in Me.” Peter understands, he feels the loving gaze of Jesus and he weeps. How beautiful is this gaze of Jesus — how much tenderness is there! Brothers and sisters, let us never lose trust in the patience and mercy of God! – Pope Francis
Therefore let us also… lay aside every weight and the sin which so easily entangles us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising its shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. – Hebrews 12:1-2, WEB
Jocelyn Soriano is the author of the free e-book 366 Days of Compassion. Get it from Amazon free – click here.
The thing about hope is that it’s a positive force that shines the most when it’s dark. When everything’s going well, we hardly notice it’s there. But when things go against us, when our dreams fade and when we see no immediate reprieve from our troubles, that’s when hope does its best work for us.
"Where Hope Can Be Found"