³¹ And immediately Jesus stretched out His hand and caught him, and said to him, “O you of little faith, why did you doubt?” Matthew 14:31 Many wondered what the secret of Arthur Rubinstein’s success was. He was one of the 20th century’s most prominent pianists and blessed with abundant natural abilities. But he felt that the key to success was not just talent, but also his commitment to being bold and taking risks. To thinking big. He once commented, “What troubles me about so many of the younger musicians I hear is that they think and act small.” He said that many are limited by being timid. They “are afraid to feel, afraid to make a mistake.” If they wanted to be great, he encouraged them to “take chances,” not to be limited by fear, but to “take what comes.” The problem of thinking small also plagued the disciples. Jesus knew that there were no limits. That nothing was impossible, including walking on water. But when Peter tried, he began to sink. He was focusing on circumstances and his own limits. After Jesus pulled Peter from the water, He asked him why he doubted. He knew that Peter had allowed doubt to creep into his heart and mind. He was not acting as though he believed that God could do anything. Doubt had kept him from experiencing a miracle. When we think about our resources and the problems we face, we too can doubt and feel overwhelmed. But the Bible encourages us to focus on God. To think about His unlimited power. To have faith in Him. To look at our circumstances from the perspective of His infinite power, not our own limits. In your relationship with God, ask Him to deliver you from small thinking. Have faith to be bold. Declare His promises to be true in your life. Remember, He is the God who created the universe. Believe Him for big things, in your life, and in the lives of others.