Finding the Light in TraumaSample

DAY 3

TURBULENCE

Welcome back! This week we are looking at Matthew 14:20-33 as we focus on our topic of trauma. At this point in Scripture, Jesus had just performed a miracle in feeding around ten thousand people with five loaves and two fish.

Yesterday, we focused on the fact that not only did Jesus perform this miracle, but God provided so much food that all who ate were satisfied AND there were twelve baskets full of leftovers! As we closed, I challenged you to prayerfully discover what it is filling your baskets of miraculous leftovers. It will be important to keep the thoughts of these baskets and their contents close to your heart as we continue in our Scripture.

Today we will be reading Matthew 14:22-24:

22 Immediately, Jesus made the disciples get into the boat and go on ahead of Him to the other side, while He dismissed the crowd. 23 After He had dismissed them, He went up on a mountainside by Himself to pray. Later that night, He was there alone, 24 and the boat was already a considerable distance from land, buffeted by the waves because the wind was against it.

We must acknowledge this event took place near Bethsaida along the Sea of Galilee. As Jesus’ disciples gathered, took up the baskets of leftovers and headed across the sea, Jesus dismissed the crowd and retreated by Himself up the mountainside.

The Sea of Galilee is a large body of water, approximately 13 miles long and 8 miles wide. It is bordered by cliffs and steep mountain slopes. With this topography, it was, and still is today, natural for extreme storms to stir up unexpectedly as the cool air falls along the mountain slopes and meets the warm surface of the sea.

After some time, Jesus looked out at His disciples and they were several miles out from land. We are told here that the winds were gathered up and a force of turbulence came against the disciples and the boat.

Today, I leave you with this: the effects of trauma come in waves throughout the days, weeks, months, and even years that follow. Some waves will cause little turbulence in your day and other waves will become debilitating turbulence.

What we do know about the disciples in that moment of turbulence on the Sea of Galilee is that Jesus left them a reminder of God’s power. The disciples had just gathered and took up twelve baskets full of miraculous leftovers.

You see, it’s in the baskets! As you face waves of trauma’s effects in your life, remember your baskets! It’s in the baskets! It’s the baskets that will remind you of God’s power —remind you that with God you can conquer any turbulence you face.

Join me tomorrow as we continue to learn what the disciples encounter next.

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