EVERWEST DEVOTIONAL #9 | Focus on Him

Scripture

“Then Peter got down out of the boat, walked on the water and came toward Jesus. But when he saw the wind, he was afraid and, beginning to sink, cried out, ‘Lord, save me!’ Immediately Jesus reached out his hand and caught him. ‘You of little faith,’ he said, ‘why did you doubt?’” – Matthew 14:29–31 (NIV)

Reflection

Starting Everwest has been both exhilarating and terrifying, involving real risk, investing substantial resources, time, and my family’s financial security into something with no proven track record, no existing customer base, and no guarantee of success. This journey has brought many days where the thought creeps in: What if nobody believes in or supports the company? What if the business never gains traction or becomes sustainable? What if this all fails?

Those thoughts feel like sinking. They swirl around like the waves beneath Peter’s feet in Matthew chapter 14. Peter walked on water through his faith in Jesus, but the moment he took his eyes off Jesus and looked at the wind, fear took over, and he began to sink.

Everwest feels the same way. If I focus on the storms around me: the risks, the what-ifs, the doubts, I sink into worry and fear. But when I make the intentional decision to keep my eyes on Jesus and his power, not my own shortfalls, I can walk in peace. I remember that He called me to this journey, and He will sustain me.

The truth is, the storms don’t go away. The wind is still there, the waves are still crashing, the risk and fear is still real, and they always will be. But when our eyes are on Jesus, the storm loses its power to control us. Our peace comes not from the absence of trouble, but from the presence of Christ.

I started journaling shortly after starting Everwest for the purpose of tracking my thoughts, emotions, ideas, and progress with faith and Everwest over a longer term. Oftentimes I would find myself on the cusp of repeating mistakes, having doubts on previous convictions, or not following through with items I had committed to earlier. I’ve used the journal to remind me of those thoughts and convictions and hold myself accountable.

In reflecting on my very first journal in September 2023, I wrote down a quote from Author and Pastor Rick Warren, “Doubt and fear neutralize what God wants to do in your life. It takes courage to imagine. Most people don’t imagine because they’re afraid of failure.

Courage is doing the thing you fear the most. If you’re not afraid, you don’t need courage. Courage is when you’re scared to death and you say, “I’m going to do it anyway”.

Your imagination is either going to be governed by fear or it’s going to be governed by faith. Decide that you’re not going to allow fear to dominate. Let your faith dominate. Trust in God. Then you can move forward in faith and allow your imagination to be filled with all kinds of possibilities-because all things are possible with God.”

Focus on Jesus.

Application

• Where in your life are you tempted to focus on the "wind" instead of on Jesus?
• What fears causing you to sink can you leave behind in 2025?
• Take one of those fears today and bring it to God in prayer, asking Him to help you keep your eyes fixed on Him instead of the storm.

Prayer

Heavenly Father, thank You for calling me to step out of the boat and follow You, even when the waters are uncertain. Forgive me for the times I’ve focused on the storm instead of on You. Help me to keep my eyes fixed on You, trusting that You will guide, sustain, and catch me when I begin to sink. In Jesus’ name, amen.

If there’s someone in your life who might be encouraged by this, or future devotionals, please share it with them or subscribe them here. You can also find past devotionals here.

- Jake Bunz, Founder

SADDLE UP FOR 2026 🤠