When Fear Makes Us Sink: Lessons from Peter and a Hospital Bed

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When Fear Makes Us Sink: Lessons from Peter and a Hospital Bed

By Nasarah Peter Dashe

Two weeks ago, on a quiet Wednesday afternoon, a phone call shattered our peace. The message was blunt and terrifying:

“Someone attacked your sister in the village. She was beaten terribly and is in a critical condition.”

Before we could fully process it, my elder sister rushed home to attend to her. For days I called to ask for updates, and the response was always, “Thank God, she’s getting better now.” But the truth was far from that. Her condition was worsened by hidden internal injuries.

It wasn’t until they brought her to JUTH (Jos University Teaching Hospital) that I truly saw the horror — bruises, swelling, and the unmistakable signs that someone had intentionally tried to kill her. That was when fear began to take over.

Then came the avalanche:

  • Oxygen costs,

  • Surgery,

  • Blood transfusion,

  • And hospital bills that had no mercy.

On top of that, I’m still waiting for admission, and my own needs are staring at me. Everything began to overwhelm me.
Like Peter, I started sinking.

Faith Meets Matthew 14

Yesterday (Monday), while struggling with worry, I picked up my Bible. The Holy Spirit quietly instructed me:

“Go to Matthew chapter 14.”

As I read, everything that had been choking me suddenly stood still. The first thing that struck me was the feeding of the five thousand — a miracle done with just five loaves and two fish. The disciples said it wasn’t enough, but Jesus didn’t ask how much they had — He asked them to bring what they had.

“Bring them hither to me.” — Matthew 14:18

Many times, we think what we have is not enough, but Jesus only needs what we are willing to surrender.

Peter on the Water

After that miracle, the story takes us to the sea. Jesus sent His disciples ahead, and when the storm came, He came walking on water. They were terrified — thinking they had seen a ghost. But Jesus said:

“Be of good cheer; it is I; be not afraid.” — Matthew 14:27

Peter responded boldly —

“Lord, if it is you, tell me to come.”

Jesus said, “Come.”
And Peter walked on water.
Until fear showed up.

“But when he saw the wind boisterous, he was afraid; and beginning to sink, he cried out, ‘Lord, save me!’" — Matthew 14:30

This was the verse that broke me.

Just like Peter, I saw my own winds:

  • The hospital bills

  • My sister’s critical state

  • My pending school fees

  • My prayers that seem unanswered

Fear made me begin to sink. But the moment Peter cried out in faith, Jesus immediately caught him. He didn’t wait until Peter drowned.

That’s our God — nearer than the storm, faster than the wave.

Faith in the Hem of His Garment

The last part of Matthew 14 tells us what happened when Jesus arrived at the town of Gennesaret. The people didn't ask for long prayers or sermons — they just believed.

“… They besought him that they might only touch the hem of his garment: and as many as touched were made perfectly whole.” — Matthew 14:36

They didn’t ask, “Does Jesus have enough power for all of us?”
They simply believed — in full confidence — that even a thread of His garment was stronger than their sickness.

What God Taught Me in That Moment

God doesn’t need my strength.
He doesn’t need my education, talents, or money.
He needs my faith, my trust, and my surrender.

Just like the disciples who thought the food wasn’t enough, just like Peter who saw the wind and got scared, and just like the people who got healed by touching His hem —
God is teaching me to fix my eyes back on Him.

Because the moment I look at the waves — I sink.
But when I look at Jesus — I walk on them.

Final Word

No matter how fierce the wind,
No matter how loud the bills,
No matter how close the deadline,
— keep your eyes on Jesus.

He is still the God who feeds the multitudes.
Still the Savior who catches sinking disciples.
Still the Healer whose garment contains enough power for a city.

Fear doesn’t mean the end — it’s just a reminder to call on the One who never fails.

Written by Nasarah Peter Dashe
@Peternasarah / Peternasarah1 on all social media
© Bilongspan, 2025
Don’t forget to share — someone else may be sinking, too.

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