Joyful Ruins

Do you know how you can combat your fears, insecurities, your anxiety, or low self-esteem?

The world says, go out and conquer your fear by facing it, lift yourself up so insecurity and low self-esteem disappear, or ease your anxiety with self-help books. Though these world solutions can help you, they do not last, they are not always filled with the Spirit of God, and they do not point to Jesus.

Peter had such a fear of man. Peter was bold, but his boldness still rested on himself, his emotions, and depended on circumstances and others. When Jesus called him out to walk on the water, Peter was courageous as he looked at Jesus, but his eyes strayed and the waves created fear and a loss of faith. When Jesus told the disciples he would have to die, Peter relied on his emotions and own thinking. He told Jesus it would not happen. Jesus rebuked him for not thinking of Christ first. And when Jesus was arrested, three times, Peter was asked if he was a follower of Christ. Out of fear, insecurity, he denied Christ 3 times.

Yet, Christ corrects Peter’s focus in a wonderful scene. In John 21:15-17 Jesus asks Peter, “Do you love me more than these?”/”Do you love me?” three times. Peter replies three times, “Yes, Lord, I love you”. Still, Jesus knows Peter’s heart and character. He knows Peter will struggle with identity and fear of man all his life. In fact, just after this interaction with Jesus, Peter immediately looks at John and compares himself to him. I take heart in the fact that though Peter struggles with fear of man, Jesus chose him to be the rock of the church.

But, what struck me was the practical application from this passage. When we are distracted and fear man or circumstances, when we feel insecure or anxious, we can have the same conversation with Jesus. Hear Him speak to you tenderly, yet challenging you, “Do you love Me?” And respond to Him, “Yes, Lord, I love you.” Hear Him commission you to feed His lambs, take care of His sheep, and follow Him!