Never Give Up: Hostage – the Story We Tell OurselvesSample

Day 7: Risk, Resolve, and Rewriting Your Future

Peter Steps Out of the Boat
In the middle of a storm, Jesus appeared, walking on water. The disciples were terrified, but Peter said, “Lord, if it’s You, tell me to come.” Jesus did. Peter stepped out of the boat—and walked on water. For a moment, his faith overpowered fear. But when he saw the wind, he began to sink. Still, Jesus reached out and caught him. Peter may have stumbled, but he dared to step out—and that changed everything.

You’ll Never Know Your Limits Until You Push Them

After giving my life to Jesus and experiencing a radical shift in mindset, I was a man on a mission. I believed God had a plan for me—and I was ready to chase it.

I enrolled in community college. I dreamed of finishing my degree and doing something meaningful. I worked full-time at Smart & Final, pouring my energy into every shift. I was passionate, focused, and determined to rewrite my future.

But then came the next challenge: timing.

I wanted to graduate faster, which meant stepping down to part-time work to take a full load of classes. It was a risk—financially, emotionally, and practically. So, I did what most people do when facing big decisions: I sought advice.

I shared my plan with my father, hoping for support. What I got instead were words that pierced deep: “I don’t think you’re capable. You’ve never been a good student. School isn’t for everyone, and it’s not for you. I think where you’re working now is as far as you’ll ever go.”

Those words stung. They felt like a punch to the gut. For a moment, I considered believing them. But I didn’t.

Instead, I called my mentor, Bill. I laid out the same plan. He responded completely differently: “That’s a great idea. But why are you only taking four classes? How do you know you can’t handle more?”

Bill wasn’t challenging me to overdo it—he was challenging me to believe bigger.

So, I did.

I stepped down to part-time hours, enrolled in seven classes, and gave it everything I had. That semester, I earned a 4.0 GPA. I made the Dean’s List. I proved—to myself and to others—that belief, hard work, and God’s grace could push me beyond any limit I thought I had.

I even added two more part-time jobs, got my real estate license, and kept moving forward. And in the midst of all that, I asked Julia to marry me. She said yes.

That season taught me something I’ll never forget: Great things happen twice—first in your mind, and then in your life.

Devotional Reflection

We all reach moments when we stand at the edge of a decision. Do we stay in the boat where it’s safe? Or do we risk stepping out onto uncertain waters, trusting that Jesus is calling us forward?

Too many of us stay stuck because we’re afraid to fail. Afraid to hear another voice say, You’re not enough. But if you’ve learned anything from this devotional, I pray it’s this: the story you’ve lived doesn’t have to be the story you continue to tell.

You can choose to believe again. Dream again. Step out again.

Yes, it may feel risky. But what if the greater risk is doing nothing?

God never calls us to a life of comfort—He calls us to a life of courage. And courage isn’t the absence of fear. It’s the resolve to move forward even when fear whispers, “Stay put.”

Peter stepped out of the boat. Yes, he sank—but Jesus caught him. The point wasn’t perfection—it was obedience. The willingness to try.

You have that same invitation.

You can choose to believe what God says. You can rewrite your story. You can leave behind the labels, limitations, and lies. You can take a risk on purpose, on possibility, on a future God has already seen.

But first, you have to decide to never give up!

Action Step

Identify one area in your life where fear has kept you stuck. What “boat” do you need to step out of? Write it down. Then write a bold next step. Pray over it. Share it with someone you trust. And take action this week. You Got This!

Reflection Questions

1. What fear or lie has kept you from stepping into something new?
2. Whose voice are you believing more than God’s right now?
3. What decision can you make today that aligns with faith, not fear?

To connect with Jere Stille, author of When Left Turns Go Right: Finding Good When Bad Things Happen. Click here

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