IS GOD YOUR WALL TO LEAN ON?
- Key Verse
And he said to them, “Why are you afraid? Do you still have no faith?” (Mark 4:40)
READ TODAY'S PASSAGE-
READ THE CHAPTER
Central Truth
In our time of need, we should go to God first.
Reflections
Have you ever been anxious? I often struggle with anxiety. I worry about silly things that will probably never happen. Have you ever worried or been so concerned about something that eventually ended up working out just fine? This sometimes happens to me. This also happened to the disciples in our passage today.In this specific part of Mark, Jesus and the disciples are in a boat, and a storm is rising. While the disciples on the boat are anxious and worried about drowning, Jesus is asleep. That paints an amazing picture in my mind about how we do not always trust God first. We cannot see the big picture that God, the Creator of the universe, is in control. It's really surprising to me that the disciples could doubt Jesus even though they were living with Him each and every day. I can relate to how they felt. Even though I know God is in control, I sometimes still get anxious and lean on "my own understanding" even though Proverbs 3:5 counsels against that.
One of the main points of today’s passage in Mark is that God is there for us to lean on whenever we need Him. We often try to lean on our friends, our money, or other things in our lives. Somehow no matter what it is, many of us tend to go to those things before we go to God. My mom and dad often encourage me to pray when I get anxious. I try to focus on Philippians 4:6, which says: “Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.” When we face storms like the disciples, we should reach out to God since He is right there in the boat with us.
Discussion Questions
1. Is God the wall you lean on?2. When you get in the Word, does it help calm down your anxious heart?
FAMILY DISCUSSION QUESTIONS
1. Why do you think the disciples thought Jesus didn’t care (verse 38)? Did Jesus care about them even though He was letting the storm happen?
2. Do you have anything happening in your life that makes you wonder if Jesus cares?
3. Can you believe Jesus cares even though your circumstances are not easy?
Clint
May 12, 2010 05:31 AM
Wesleigh, What great wisdom this morning from you. We're raising daughters in our home and it's my hope and mission that they can write something like this when they are your age. Thank you for starting our day out remembering to trust the One who created the days.
Shannon Saunders
May 12, 2010 06:58 AM
Thank you Wesleigh for reminding us that God is our wall to lean on. Good job this morning! Shannon
jake
May 12, 2010 07:51 AM
Wesleigh, Now that I think about it, pertaining to your question #2...my anxious heart is calmed when I get into God's Word. Thanks for that reminder of where to find daily spiritual stress-relief.
Alli Penuel
May 12, 2010 08:27 AM
Wesleigh, Thanks so much for your wise words this morning. What a great reminder that getting into God's Word is a source of calm, peace & comfort!
Diane Johnson
May 12, 2010 08:35 AM
Thank you, Wesleigh, for reminding me not to worry but to trust God. This devotion comes at just the right time for me. Today I need to be reminded that God is in control of Megan's education. I have a feeling I will be rereading your devotion a lot between now and her upcoming ARD.
Tracy Lau
May 12, 2010 08:35 AM
Great job Wesleigh! Thank you for encouraging me today!
Kimberlee
May 12, 2010 08:41 AM
You are so cute, Wesleigh, and are so mature to know that we need to go to God to help give us peace instead of going to other things. I pray that God will continue to give you strength to overcome anxiety. Blessings!
David Henry
May 12, 2010 08:50 AM
Wesleigh, great job on your Journey entry! Thanks for the reminder to go to God's word instead of worry. Mr. Henry
Lulie
May 12, 2010 09:11 AM
Wesleigh, thanks for expressing this truth in such a wonderful way. I needed these words of encouragement and truth. After reflecting on Phillipians 4:7, it helps me to chose to follow the instruction of Phillipians 4:8. I love the advice of Kay Arthur, "take every thought captive and Phillipians 4:8 it". If it doesn't fall under the definition of Philippians 4:8 kick that thought out and replace it with "whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable,excellent or praiseworthy".
Jen Lewis
May 12, 2010 09:17 AM
Great journey Wes! Such great insight and wisdom. Thank you for living out 1 Timothy 4:12. I am so proud of you! Thank you for the reminder that God is in control and He is always with us.
Eric C
May 12, 2010 09:20 AM
Great devo! Thank you for being an encouragement today...
Jill Moore
May 12, 2010 09:25 AM
Wes,thank you for plainly spreading out the truth for me this morning. You are a blessing! I love you, Mrs. Moore
Chris Dishman
May 12, 2010 10:22 AM
Wes, you did a fantastic job! I think we all tend to lose sight of the calming nature of what we have in Christ. Great job in reminding us to stay in touch with God through our anxiousness.
Gwendolyn Aragon
May 12, 2010 04:19 PM
Wesleigh, today's reading and devotional really challenged me to think about how I respond to the Lord during not so easy moments in life. How true it is that I run to my friends first before I cry out to my God. And what a good question to ask, "Do I believe God really does care even if my circumstances are not so easy to face?" Thank God for the truth, faith is not a feeling.( :Thanks again for sharing.( : Good stuff!
Kate
May 12, 2010 04:31 PM
I enjoyed your devotional Wesleigh! So what did you do to survive the sharks?
Jessica
May 12, 2010 06:10 PM
Wesleigh, my name is Jessica & I work in WTMK childcare. Thank you for the post. It truly blessed me. I am so proud of you for your unwavering faith in our awesome God. Bless you!:)
Abbi Koons
May 12, 2010 09:18 PM
Hey Wes! You did awesome on your first devo! You are an amazing wise young girl and I'm so happy that I have been able to see you grow! Love you!
Melissa
May 12, 2010 09:42 PM
Wes, Thanks for sharing such a great reminder of how we are commanded to turn to Christ rather than rely on ourselves! I am blessed to get to hang out with you as you are always seeking new ways to apply scripture to your life.
jay Burns
May 13, 2010 08:19 AM
Wesleigh what joy to read your devo. Great wisdom and truth about relying on the Lord in the storms of life...not IF they come but WHEN they come as they are promised. I love your family...each of you bring a smile to my face every time I see you...tell them all hello. Great to be serving with all of you at Watermark and in His Kingdom
Marni
May 13, 2010 01:14 PM
Philippians 4:6-7 is a verse I have posted on my computer monitor to remind me to not be anxious and to lift things up to the Lord throughout the day. "...And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus." Even with this verse visible to me for 8 hours, every single day, I STILL tend to forget that I don't need to worry! Thanks for this additional reminder of the Lord's control in our lives, Wesleigh :)