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Make this month’s recipe – Baked Garlic Mushroom Chicken

Can you imagine what the disciples felt like when they were with Jesus in the boat in Mark 4? Scripture says that, “A great windstorm arose, and the waves were breaking into the boat, so that the boat was already filling.” (Mark 4:37) The disciples weren’t expecting a storm that day, but they were suddenly faced with one, and were overcome with fear. Even though they had God himself with them in their boat, they still feared for their lives. 

How do you respond to the storms in your life? We often think that there could have been a better time for a poor situation to happen, or we think we could have been better prepared by bringing our rain jacket, or we let ourselves be riddled with anxiety, but God tells us to take another stance in 1 Peter 4:12-13, 

Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery trial when it comes upon you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you. But rejoice insofar as you share Christ’s sufferings, that you may also rejoice and be glad when his glory is revealed.

“Do not be surprised,” the Bible says, and yet, it seems that, just like when a storm hits, we often act surprised and unprepared when faced with the trials of life. 

This month, we’re sharing a video from IF:Lead with Jill Briscoe, and we hope you’re encouraged by her words about our best response in the midst of the fiery ordeals of our lives. And don’t be surprised that it involves getting on your knees because no amount of preparation or reasoning can compare to the power of surrendering our lives to God in prayer. He is not surprised at the trials of our lives, and we shouldn’t be either. 

Listen to Jill’s video below to hear more!