One stormy night, Jesus approached the boat His disciples were in, walking on the sea. “It is a ghost!” they exclaimed.

Then Jesus spoke: “It is I. Do not be afraid.”

Peter blurted out: “Lord, if it is You, command me to come to You on the water.”

“Come,” Jesus answered, and Peter did. He walked on water. (Matthew 14:22-33)

What faith! But Peter soon began to sink. Fear set in when he turned his eyes away from Jesus. Once bold enough to declare that Jesus was the Son of the living God, Peter proved he, too, could be overwhelmed.

We’re as human as Peter. Let’s accept that:

1. A strength can become a failing. Morgan McCall, author of High Flyers: Developing the Next Generation of Leaders, noted that this is one of the ways people – especially leaders – get derailed.

His research found that many who were outstanding as No. 2 in their organizations failed miserably when promoted to the top job. They may have been unsurpassed as COOs, but as CEOs they were perhaps not visionary enough or could not motivate their people. They continued to focus on the operational aspects of their business.

Unmanaged, a strength can lead to arrogance, which can create a blind spot and eventually, blindness. Even highly-effective people can fall out of touch with themselves and their contexts. Peter’s audacity led him to declare: “Even if I must die with You, I will not deny You!” (Matthew 26:35) But he would deny Jesus three times.

2. We are often weak. In the Garden of Gethsemane, Jesus was praying in such agony that his sweat became like great drops of blood (Luke 22:44). Meanwhile, His disciples fell asleep, even though He had warned them to watch and pray. The plain truth is: “The spirit indeed is willing but the flesh is weak.” (Matthew 26:41)

If in our human-ness we fail and are weak, how can we even rise to the challenge of loving God more?

Recognize the Miracle-worker, not just the miracles. Despite fishing all night in the Sea of Tiberias, the disciples had caught nothing. From the shore, they heard someone say: “Cast the net on the right side of the boat, and you will find some.” They did so, and there was catch of 153 fish – so large and heavy they could not haul their net in. When they realized the instruction had come from Jesus (John 21:1-8), Peter jumped out of the boat and swam towards his Lord!

Remember: Jesus breaks through in the miracle of the great catch. Peter broke through from the great catch to Jesus.

Appreciate His daily mercies of small things. When they came on shore, the disciples found Jesus cooking for them a simple breakfast of bread and small fish. Be constantly reminded: In love, Jesus makes breakfast for you too. Do we see the hand of God in the mundane provisions of life?

Remember: God’s mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning. (Lamentations 3:22)

Confront the issue of the heart. The fundamental question Jesus asks us – as with Peter – is: “Do you love me more than these?”

The first two times, the word Jesus used for “love” was agape. Peter replied using phileo, meaning: “I love you as a friend.” Having failed Jesus time and again, he was being honest. And that’s important: Authenticity recognizes our failings.

The final time Jesus asked the question, He changed agape to phileo, and Peter was hurt. All he could say was: “Lord, you know everything. You know that I love You.” (John 21:15-17)

Jesus’ reply was: “Feed my lambs.” “Tend my sheep.” “Feed my sheep.”

This means: Love the people God has placed into your life and take care of them – even people you don’t like. How to? Instead of allowing fear to act itself out, show love.

Remember: “Whatever you do for the least of these, you do for Me.” (Matthew 25:40)