Digging Deeper: Surrender Your Guilt, Seek Forgiveness

I have physically fallen to my knees over some very tough situations. I have begged and bartered with God on multiple occasions. I have seen blessings come out of dark situations, and I have felt ashamed of my lack of faith, the same way I imagine Simon did. I have let anxiety and the need to control take over and have needed to be reminded that God is in control.

Simon Peter was ashamed that he doubted, that he hesitated, that he reminded Jesus that what he had been trying was not working. Yet his trust in God to try one more time, his obedience, showed his partners and other witnesses what a miracle God can do, what faith can do.

Heart:
I can imagine Simon’s face, his jaw dropped, the weight of guilt too heavy to hold. Falling before Jesus, ashamed and full of regret. Have you been there before, ashamed of your lack of faith in a situation? Immediately asking forgiveness for your doubts? Where is God pressing on your heart today? Where do you need to surrender your guilt and pick your faith back up?

Soul:
When you look at these passages, what do you connect with? For me, it is the relevance of how Simon felt. It is knowing that I am not alone in feeling less than when I struggle to trust. It is knowing that Simon was literally face to face with Jesus and still hesitated. I think it is safe to say that we have all had doubts. How can this story help you trust God more?

Strength:
Simon was awestruck by the blessings God gave him, not in spite of his doubt, but because of his faith. Is there something you feel led to do or chase after that you may have doubted before, but today you feel fully invested and ready to walk into? When you think about Simon Peter’s reaction, where have you seen a moment like this in your own life? How can you use the strength you had in that moment to push you forward into the next step of obedience?