What does "You of little faith" reveal about trust in difficult times? Opening Verse “Immediately Jesus reached out His hand, took hold of Peter, and said to him, ‘You of little faith,’ He said, ‘why did you doubt?’” (Matthew 14:31) Understanding “You of Little Faith” • The phrase appears five times (Matthew 6:30; 8:26; 14:31; 16:8; Luke 12:28). • Each scene features real people facing real pressure—worrying about provision, panicking in a storm, sinking in deep water, or misunderstanding Jesus’ words. • Jesus never says they have “no faith”; He pinpoints a faith too small for the moment at hand. Trust Revealed in the Phrase • Difficult moments expose the size of our faith. • Jesus’ gentle rebuke shows He expects His followers to lean on His proven character. • Little faith often surfaces when: – Circumstances seem bigger than Christ’s presence (Matthew 8:24–27). – Needs look more urgent than His promises (Matthew 6:25–34; Philippians 4:19). – Doubt overrides earlier experience of His power (Matthew 14:28–31). Obstacles That Shrink Faith • Fear: “Why are you so afraid?” (Matthew 8:26). • Doubt: “Why did you doubt?” (Matthew 14:31). • Short memory: Forgetting past deliverance (Psalm 77:11–12). • Self-reliance: Trusting calculation over Christ (Proverbs 3:5–6). Steps to Strengthen Trust in Tough Seasons 1. Recall God’s track record. List answered prayers and past rescues (Deuteronomy 4:9). 2. Anchor in His promises. Speak them aloud—“I will never leave you nor forsake you” (Hebrews 13:5). 3. Fix your eyes on Jesus, not the waves (Hebrews 12:2). 4. Act in obedience even while afraid—Peter stepped out before he sank (James 2:22). 5. Pray for increased faith; the disciples did (Luke 17:5). 6. Stay in community; shared testimonies build courage (Hebrews 10:24–25). Living It Out Today • When the budget is tight, remember the lilies and the grass (Matthew 6:28–30). • When chaos roars, picture Jesus calming the storm (Matthew 8:26). • When you step into a new venture and feel yourself sinking, cry out like Peter—He still reaches out immediately. • Each trial is an invitation: move from “little faith” to confident trust, grounded in the unchanging faithfulness of our Lord and Savior. |
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