Session 16

What to do when you face an impossible task

From Mark: A 6-Week Devotional

Think about a time you felt desperate, distraught, and discouraged. Whatever the situation, it seemed never-ending. Certain words, sounds, and smells probably still trigger the fear and anxiety you experienced.

Christians are not exempt from despair. Even when we’re walking with Jesus, we can feel overwhelmed and under-equipped for the tasks at hand. When Jesus asks the disciples to feed 5,000 people in Mark 6, you can hear the despair in their voices:

“[Jesus] answered, ‘You give them something to eat.’ They said to him, ‘That would take more than half a year’s wages! Are we to go and spend that much on bread and give it to them to eat?’” (Mark 6:37).

The disciples were facing an impossible task, but their reality changes when they put their despair in Jesus’ hands. Jesus pulled the disciples through the situation and poured out more blessing than seemed possible, feeding 5,000 people with five loaves and two fish.

Fear can paralyze us. When we feel desperation or despair, we have to remember Jesus can handle it. Our job, like the disciples, is to bring our situation to him.  

Reflect:

• What are you most afraid of right now?
• What can we learn from the disciples’ example about taking our fears to Jesus?
• Think about a time when Jesus brought you through an impossible situation. What did you learn about Jesus during that experience?