Finding the Light in TraumaSample

DAY 4

GHOST

I’m so glad to have you join me again today as we study the topic of trauma alongside Scripture. I know how difficult it is to work through the waves of turbulence that trauma leaves in your life.

As we looked at the story of Jesus feeding five thousand, we have come to understand the miracle of this story is even greater. Scripture explains with five loaves and two fish, Jesus fed five thousand men, but women and children also ate. Therefore, Jesus probably fed closer to ten thousand or more people and all who ate were satisfied (Matthew 14:20). Furthermore, there were leftovers! Jesus had His disciples gather and take up the scraps that filled twelve baskets before they set sail across the Sea of Galilee.

Yesterday, we learned the Sea of Galilee is prone to unexpected violent storms. In our verses, we read the weather conditions changed and the disciples boat was becoming tossed by the waves as the winds were against them.

Let us continue reading Matthew 14:25-26:

25 Shortly before dawn Jesus went out to them, walking on the lake. 26 When the disciples saw Him walking on the lake, they were terrified. “It’s a ghost,” they said, and cried out in fear.

You would think after being tossed around all night by the waves in the Sea of Galilee the disciples would be excited to see Jesus because they would know the power He held. After all, they had already previously witnessed Jesus calming a storm (Matthew 8:23-27). However, the disciples were afraid and thought Jesus was a ghost.

Now, we can’t really blame them for this fear. Prior, in Matthew 8:28-34, Jesus was in the country of Gadarenes when he drew out demons from two men. Jesus allowed the demons to then possess the herd of pigs nearby and the whole herd tumbled down a steep cliff to their death in the same body of water the disciples were on. I am sure as night fell, with a storm brewing and knowing demons had previously entered the sea, the disciples thoughts easily navigated toward fear instead of peace.

It has become my prayer this week that you have been able to prayerfully acknowledge the miracle leftovers that fill your baskets. The disciples, at this point in our Scripture, forgot about the miracle baskets sitting right next to them. In the midst of turbulence, they allowed disparity to overcome them and they feared the worst as they assumed a ghost was heading toward them.

As we end today, continue to recognize the miracle baskets God has provided in your life. The waves of trauma will continue to overtake you unless you are able to focus on God’s power to overcome them.

I’ll see you tomorrow as Jesus reveals Himself.

SUICIDE & CRISIS LIFELINE: CALL OR TEXT 9-8-8