Joy In The Midst Of Crisis: Matthew 8:26 (Joy)

Read Galatians 5:22-23:

"But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law."

Are you ready to make an investment in the Fruit of Joy?

Read Matthew 8:23-27:

"Then he got into the boat and his disciples followed him. Suddenly a furious storm came up on the lake, so that the waves swept over the boat. But Jesus was sleeping. The disciples went and woke him, saying, “Lord, save us! We’re going to drown!”

He replied, “You of little faith, why are you so afraid?” Then he got up and rebuked the winds and the waves, and it was completely calm."

The men were amazed and asked, “What kind of man is this? Even the winds and the waves obey him!”

Select 'Successful' when you are finished.

What 'storm' or crisis are you currently encountering in your life?

Write your answer in the space provided.

In all honesty, how much does it appear that God is "asleep" regarding your present needs and desires?

Take a moment to imagine that Jesus is just as available to you in your present 'storm' as He was to the disciples in theirs.

Select 'Successful' when you have given this Step everything you've got.

Now ask Him for His help in your present circumstances.

You can write out your request in the space provided.

Go to 'DOCUMENTS' and read Oswald Chambers' commentary on Matthew 8:23-27.

Select 'Successful' when you are finished.

Oswald states: “...O you of little faith!” What a stinging pain must have shot through the disciples as they surely thought to themselves, “We missed the mark again!” And what a sharp pain will go through us when we suddenly realize that we could have produced complete and utter joy in the heart of Jesus by remaining absolutely confident in Him, in spite of what we were facing."

Regarding your faith in your present crisis or difficulties, and knowing that Jesus is all powerful and in control of all your circumstances, is there anything you would like to repent of (express your sorrow)?

If so, you may do so privately or in the space provided.

Now ask Jesus how you can, going forward, bring joy to Him in this crisis.

Write down what you receive.

Is there anything you would like to thank Jesus for?

If so, do so in the space provided.

Finally, Oswald states: "If we have been learning to worship God and to place our trust in Him, the crisis will reveal that we can go to the point of breaking, yet without breaking our confidence in Him."

While no one wants to go through a crisis, do you agree that this crisis has created an opportunity for you to deepen your faith and intimacy in Jesus?

How much has this Trail helped to increase your level of joy and confidence in Jesus?