Our Attitudes Could Be Causing Anxiety and Horror
WOW! What a revelation! Read this real quick.
Mark 6:49-52 (Amplified Version) But when they saw Him walking on the sea, they thought it was a ghost, and cried out [in horror]; 50 for they all saw Him and were shaken and terrified. But He immediately spoke with them and said, “Take courage! It is I (I Am)! Stop being afraid.” 51 Then He got into the boat with them, and the wind ceased [as if exhausted by its own activity]; and they were completely overwhelmed, 52 because they had not understood [the miracle of] the loaves [how it revealed the power and deity of Jesus]; but [in fact] their heart was hardened [being oblivious and indifferent to His amazing works].
Mark 6 has been on my mind a lot this week. I keep reading it over and over. Today something profound stood out to me. Look closely at the end of verse 51 and verse 52: they were overwhelmed BECAUSE they had not understood the miracle of the loaves and how it revealed the power and deity of Jesus.
Let me break this down. Jesus did a miracle. Earlier in Mark 6 we see that the disciples wanted to send the hungry crowds home and yet Jesus had compassion on the people. Scripture says that He saw them as sheep without a shepherd. Jesus miraculously fed the 5000. He took the little bit of food they had, 5 loaves and 2 fish and multiplied it until all were satisfied. Were the disciples grumpy and not wanting to minister to the crowds of people? Jesus not only fed the 5000, but there were 12 baskets of bread left over for the disciples. Wow…talk about abundant blessing!
Now let’s look at this next part of the story. Jesus had sent the disciples ahead on the boat while He dismissed the crowds. A storm came and the disciples were in HORROR! They were overwhelmed! …all because they had not “understood the miracle of the loaves.:”
Did they not see the miracle and worship Jesus because of what He did for all of them? Were they so wrapped up in themselves and their own agenda that they didn’t take time to appreciate what had just taken place?
What is OUR miracle of the loaves? Has Jesus done something for us that we have not fully grasped or understood or given Him praise and thanksgiving for? What if our lack of appreciation for His power and deity keeps us in anxiety, fear, worry, or even horror? When God does something for us that is miraculous, (btw, even the air that we breathe is miraculous) we must recognize it for what it is and deepen our understanding of Who God is! When we let the TRUTH of Who He is resonate inside our souls, we won’t be afraid. Instead we will have perfect peace. We will have joy and excitement! And because we are spirit-filled, if we remain in Him as He remains in us we can ask anything and it will be done for us! We can have the power to calm the storms and better yet, calm our souls when the storms rage on! Incredible!
I am asking the Lord to shine His light on any miracles in which I have failed to give thanks and appreciation. I am taking an inventory of His goodness and I am giving praise. I am also looking for scriptures of promise that He will always provide when I am in need. I am also asking Him to check my heart for any attitudes I might be carrying towards other people. Am I irritated or frustrated at others and is my frustration causing me to be insensitive the the works of the Lord around me? I want Him to break my heart for what breaks His. I want to be compassionate to the ones He loves.
Lord, search our hearts and help us to have a heart like Yours. Give us a heart for the people around us who need love and direction…who need the Shepherd to guide them. You demonstrated compassion and love for the “babes” who were just beginning their journey with you. Help me to allow Your love to saturate me until I overflow with Your goodness and mercy towards others.
In Your Name I pray, Amen.
How can you relate to this story? What stands out to you? Are you harboring bitterness or frustration towards the very people God wants you to minister to? Feel free to comment below with your insights.
