23 He [Jesus] boarded the boat, and his disciples followed. 24 Then, without warning, a furious storm arose on the lake, so that waves were sweeping over the boat. But Yeshua was sleeping. 25 So they came and roused him, saying, “Sir! Help! We’re about to die!” 26 He said to them, “Why are you afraid? So little trust you have!” Then he got up and rebuked the winds and the waves, and there was a dead calm.  Matthew 8:23-26

There are several things to note in these scriptures.  The first thing is that there was a severe storm that arose suddenly.  The storm was surrounding the boat Jesus was on.  So, Jesus was also experiencing the storm.  Everyone was panicked, while Jesus was remained sleeping.  When Jesus was awakened, the first thing he dealt with was what was most important to him, his disciples lack of trust.  Why were they so afraid?  How had fear overcome their faith so quickly?  The severity and suddenness of the storm had that effect on them.  They saw themselves as subject to the storm and its destruction.  Jesus got up and showed them otherwise.  Jesus showed them that the storm was subject to him and would have been subject to them had they simply trusted.

Matthew 14: 22-33 And straightway Jesus constrained his disciples to get into a ship, and to go before him unto the other side, while he sent the multitudes away. 23 And when he had sent the multitudes away, he went up into a mountain apart to pray: and when the evening was come, he was there alone. 24 But the ship was now in the midst of the sea, tossed with waves: for the wind was contrary. 25 And in the fourth watch of the night Jesus went unto them, walking on the sea. 26 And when the disciples saw him walking on the sea, they were troubled, saying, It is a spirit; and they cried out for fear. 27 But straightway Jesus spake unto them, saying, Be of good cheer; it is I; be not afraid.  28 And Peter answered him and said, Lord, if it be thou, bid me come unto thee on the water. 29 And he said, Come. And when Peter was come down out of the ship, he walked on the water, to go to Jesus. 30 But when he saw the wind boisterous, he was afraid; and beginning to sink, he cried, saying, Lord, save me. 31 And immediately Jesus stretched forth his hand, and caught him, and said unto him, O thou of little faith, wherefore didst thou doubt? 32 And when they were come into the ship, the wind ceased. 33 Then they that were in the ship came and worshipped him, saying, Of a truth thou art the Son of God.

Here again, fear takes hold and pops Peter out of his faith.  This is perfectly illustrated in verses 28-31.  Peter had enough faith the ask Jesus to enable him to walk to him on the water.  At the words of Jesus, Peter stepped out of the boat and began to walk toward him, but then the wind and waves caught Peter’s attention.  His focus shifted from the source of faith, Jesus, to the circumstances surrounding him, and fear overtook his faith.  Nothing else had changed.  The enablement provided by the words of Jesus, and Jesus himself walking toward him remained the same.  The only thing that changed was where Peter put his eyes.  Peter responded to the wind and waves by focusing on them, and he immediately began to sink. 

Circumstances will always try to grab your attention.   The issue is not with the circumstances that you are facing, they are subject to change.  What is at issue is how you respond to your circumstances.  Do you remain steadfast in your faith or do you consider your circumstances as more relevant?

Refusing to consider your circumstances more than the promises of God is fighting the good fight of faith.  When you fight the good fight of faith, you continue to trust in the integrity and trustworthiness of God and His word, despite any circumstances to the contrary.