Jesus Meets My Overwhelming Needs

6 “Some time after this, Jesus crossed to the far shore of the Sea of Galilee (that is, the Sea of Tiberias), 2 and a great crowd of people followed him because they saw the signs he had performed by healing the sick. 3 Then Jesus went up on a mountainside and sat down with his disciples. 4 The Jewish Passover Festival was near. 5 When Jesus looked up and saw a great crowd coming toward him, he said to Philip, “Where shall we buy bread for these people to eat?” 6 He asked this only to test him, for he already had in mind what he was going to do.” John 6:1-6 (NIV)

Four years ago, I was beyond overwhelmed at all of the needs that needed to be met in my family. I was uncertain if I was a mom that could persevere, keep the faith, and continue to pray when everything came crashing down. How was I going make life okay again?

Going through such a traumatic experience makes reading the Bible seem so different to me now. I had a tremendous need in my life that only Jesus could fill. I became the neediest person I have ever been. Reading John chapter 5 and 6 gave me hope my family’s needs would be met. Jesus heard every needy prayer and gave this mom what she needed each day to persevere, keep the faith, and continue praying.

7 Philip answered him, “It would take more than half a year’s wages[a] to buy enough bread for each one to have a bite!” 8 Another of his disciples, Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother, spoke up, 9 “Here is a boy with five small barley loaves and two small fish, but how far will they go among so many?” 10 Jesus said, “Have the people sit down.” There was plenty of grass in that place, and they sat down (about five thousand men were there). 11 Jesus then took the loaves, gave thanks, and distributed to those who were seated as much as they wanted. He did the same with the fish. 12 When they had all had enough to eat, he said to his disciples, “Gather the pieces that are left over. Let nothing be wasted.” 13 So they gathered them and filled twelve baskets with the pieces of the five barley loaves left over by those who had eaten. 14 After the people saw the sign Jesus performed, they began to say, “Surely this is the Prophet who is to come into the world.” 15 Jesus, knowing that they intended to come and make him king by force, withdrew again to a mountain by himself. John 6:7-15 (NIV)

Joy overwhelms because my needs are met in Christ Jesus

Counting My Blessings,

Susan Browder