Keep Your Eyes on Jesus

Dr. Tony Evans The Alternative with Dr. Tony Evans
A great biblical illustration of the need for keeping your eyes on Jesus in the midst of life’s difficulties is found in Matthew 14:22-31. In this passage, we read about the time when a great storm hit the sea, and yet Jesus walked to His disciples on the rough water. Jesus had sent them out into the bad weather. The problem was the storm. But when Jesus came to the disciples, He walked on top of the very problem itself. Without getting rid of the storm, He overcame it. He overpowered it.
 
Without getting rid of the storm, He overcame it. He overpowered it.
 
Peter was only able to overcome it himself when he kept his eyes fixated on Jesus. He asked if he could come out on the water, too, and as long as he looked at Jesus, he was fine. But when he took his eyes off Jesus and focused instead on the tumultuous circumstances that surrounded him, Peter began to sink.
 
Only when Peter adjusted his focus back on Jesus did he receive the divine intervention he desperately needed.
 
Friend, whatever you are facing, if you focus on the circumstances, the circumstances will overwhelm you. They will overpower you. They will swallow you up. Jesus invites you to come to Him in the midst of risky situations. He asks you to step out in faith. But He gives you success only when you keep your eyes focused on Him. You will become consumed by your circumstances if you choose to focus on them. Like Peter, you will sink. But if you choose to return your gaze to Jesus as Peter did, He can lift you back up so you are above the stormy sea once again. Remember, Jesus hadn’t moved when Peter started to sink. Peter’s focus moved. Only when Peter adjusted his focus back on Jesus did he receive the divine intervention he desperately needed.
 
 

Check out more from Dr. Tony Evans @tonyevans.org

 

About The Author

Dr. Tony Evans

Dr. Tony Evans is one of the country’s most respected leaders in evangelical circles. As a pastor, teacher, author and speaker, he serves the body of Christ through his unique ability to communicate complex theological truths through simple, yet profound, illustrations. While addressing the practical issues of today, Dr. Evans is known as a relevant expositor. New and veteran pastors alike regard him as a pastor of pastors and a father in the faith.


At the heart of this vision is the use of church and school partnerships to effect spiritual and social change in communities. Dr. Evans’ church and school outreach philosophy has been attributed as a catalyst for former President George W. Bush’s Faith Based Initiative, which was his first formal act of office. Dr. Evans seeks to train churches, schools and volunteers in this philosophy, as well as in the functional practicalities, through the National Church Adopt-A-School Initiative which is a ministry underneath the umbrella of The Urban Alternative.


Dr. Evans serves as president of The Urban Alternative, a national ministry that seeks to restore hope and transform lives through the proclamation and the application of the Word of God. His daily radio broadcast, The Alternative with Dr. Tony Evans, can be heard on more than 850 radio outlets throughout the United States and in more than 80 countries.


Dr. Evans has written numerous books and booklets including his legacy work, Oneness Embraced, as well as his vision work, The Kingdom Agenda. Some of his most recent books includes, Kingdom Man, A Moment For Your Soul, Marriage Matters, and Victory in Spiritual Warfare.

More Posts by Dr. Tony Evans:

  1. Encouragement Through Truth with Love
  2. The Lesson of the Cross
  3. From Failure to Success
View All


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