God often puts us in impossible situations. We find it frustrating, sure—but it’s never meant to be. In fact, those circumstances are meant to do just the opposite. God means to encourage us.
(Photo: Plain of Bethsaida. Courtesy of the Pictorial Library of Bible Lands)
With the Sea of Galilee in view on the Plain of Bethsaida, Jesus pointed to thousands of people and said to His twelve disciples: “You give them something to eat!” (Mark 6:37).
You can hear the frustration in the disciples’ reply: “Should we spend half a year’s wages to feed them?” Forget for a moment you’ve heard this story before.
Think instead of your current problem.
- Your financial picture is unmanageable.
- A close relationship has been strained for years.
- You’ve been unemployed for much longer than you imagined.
Whatever it is you’re facing today, you face one of many impossible situations. Now go back to Jesus’ crazy command to His disciples. His solution for them is also His solution for you.
Let me show you why.
The Loaves and the Lake—Same Lesson
Jesus feeding the 5000 is the only miracle recorded in all four gospels—other than the resurrection. Why so significant?
Jesus never intended to create frustration—but rather to teach dependence. Jesus took the small amount of food they had, blessed it, and divided it sufficiently among the crowds.
Point? Dependence on Jesus, not yourself or your own resources.
(Photo: Mosaic of fish and loaves miracle. Courtesy of the Pictorial Library of Bible Lands)
Then, “immediately” Jesus put His men in a boat and sent them across the Sea of Galilee . . . without Him.
Cue an unexpected storm.
Of course, they panicked and did all they could to fight the impossible tempest. Jesus showed up and calmed the storm. Notice what the Bible says:
And He got into the boat with them, and the wind stopped; and they were greatly astonished, for they had not gained any insight from the incident of the loaves, but their heart was hardened (Mark 6:51-52).
They should have remembered their inadequacy with the loaves and Jesus’ power to provide.
It’s the same with us.
Yesterday and Your Impossible Situations—Same Lesson
In the same way, you and I must grasp what we learn from God in one situation applies to all circumstances.
- When you see God provide financially, relate that to your struggles with your kids.
- In times when God encourages you with a quick answered prayer for a friend, relate it to the person for whom you’ve been praying for years.
- When you realize how God used pain in your past to make you a stronger person, apply it to the pain you struggle with now.
Relate the loaves to the lake. Connect what you learn about God’s faithfulness in one area to all other areas of your life. Consider the obvious answers:
- Does God know your needs?
- Do you think He knows the impossible situations you face?
Whatever your impossible situations are, the answer remains the same. You will only discover the power of God if you continually bring your inadequacies to Jesus and refuse to rely on yourself.
Miracles only occur in moments that seem for us impossible.
Miracles Disguised as Impossibilities
We should drink deeply from what Jesus promised:
With men it is impossible, but not with God; for all things are possible with God. —Mark 10:27
If we really believe that, we will expectantly wait for God’s power and apply yesterday’s lessons to today’s impossible situations.
Discover How The Holy Land Connects to Your Life
Learn the top 6 Lessons from Visiting the Holy Land more than 20 times in 21 years with Dr. Wayne Stiles, a longtime devotional scholar who is passionate about sharing the practical application of bringing God’s Word to life.
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