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“Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God”
Consider the Loaves
After Jesus multiplied the loaves and fish to feed thousands, Scripture says something surprising about the disciples. Mark 6:52 tells us, “They had not understood about the loaves, because their hearts were hardened.”
These were men who had seen miracles with their own eyes. They watched Jesus feed a crowd of twenty thousand people with one basket of food. They had collected the leftovers. Yet hours later, when the storm hit, they were terrified. They thought they were going to die. Jesus walks across the water, steps into their chaos, and says, “Be of good cheer. It is I; do not be afraid.”
Then the Scripture adds, “They were amazed… for they had not understood about the loaves.” In other words, their observation of the miracle of the loaves hadn’t sunk into their hearts to the degree that it affected the next problem they faced. They didn’t attach the proper amount of significance to what they saw Jesus do, to the point that it changed their expectations.
Jesus expected his disciples to ponder his miracle to the point that they shouldn’t have been afraid of the storm, and he expected them to frame their view of themselves in light of the miracle he did for thousands of people.
When we fail to meditate on what Jesus has already done—His character, His power, His heart for us—we become vulnerable to fear. The storm reveals whether we’ve truly trusted His nature. Jesus wasn’t frustrated that they didn’t have enough faith to calm the waves; He was frustrated because they doubted who He showed Himself to be. Had they remembered the loaves, they would have been at peace in the storm. Had they taken the miracle personally, in other words, adopted the mindset that he would take care of them too, they wouldn’t have been afraid, even in the face of death.
When we recall God’s faithfulness, good cheer or gratitude rises, and then gratitude brings peace. That’s what Paul was describing in Philippians 4:6–7 when he said, “Be anxious for nothing, but in everything, by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.”
Paul doesn’t just say “pray.” He says pray with thanksgiving. Why? Because thanksgiving remembers the loaves. Gratitude remembers who God is, what He’s done, and what He promises to do. Thanksgiving turns prayer from desperation into confidence.
Gratitude reminds the heart of the character of God.
A lot of us pray with fear, focused on what we lack. We pray with worry. We pray with confusion. But you can pray with thanksgiving. Why? Because you’ve remembered the loaves.
When you know who Jesus is—His character, His power, His heart—you can pray from peace, not panic. You can make your requests known to God without fear of being ignored, because you know His heart toward you. Jesus said the Father “knows what you need before you even ask.” So when you do ask, don’t ask from lack. It’s okay to acknowledge the need, but don’t root your request in worry. Root it in trust.
Jesus and the disciples recognized the need for food that day. He didn’t ignore it, but He met it with faith and compassion, not fear. Later, when they were in danger on the water, they could have expected the same kind of provision—the same heart of love, the same faithfulness that fed the multitudes. That’s the point Jesus wanted them to see. The miracle of the loaves wasn’t just about bread; it was a revelation of His character.
Jesus said, ““Be of good cheer. It is I. Don’t be afraid.” When you recognize Jesus in the situation, fear should leave.
When you’re facing something you feel the desire to pray about, ask yourself; Where is Jesus and who is Jesus in this situation? Are there any promises I can stand on and speak? What miracle of Jesus am I meditating on to persuade my heart of his power, character, and will in this situation?
Every situation in life gives us a chance to consider the loaves again—to look at the track record of God’s goodness and settle our hearts in His character. When you do that, Philippians 4:7 becomes your reality: “The peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your heart and mind through Christ Jesus.”
Peace doesn’t mean every detail of your life is perfect. It means you’re anchored in a truth deeper than the chaos around you. It’s the awareness that Jesus is in the boat. It’s the confidence that the same One who multiplied the loaves will multiply provision, wisdom, and strength for whatever storm you’re facing.
Peace is not passive. It’s not the absence of problems—it’s the presence of Jesus. It’s remembering the loaves until your heart believes that He is enough.
Homework: Practice the Peace Formula
This week, take time to “consider the loaves.” Think back on what Jesus has done in your life—His power, His character, His track record of provision. Make it personal. Recall the miracles, the answered prayers, the moments when His peace carried you through.
Then use Philippians 4:8–9 as your thought process when anxiety tries to rise:
“Whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report… meditate on these things.”
When something troubling happens, pause and ask:
What is true about Jesus in this situation?
What is lovely and good about His character right now?
What past evidence of His faithfulness can I remember?
Write those thoughts down. Speak them out loud with gratitude.
As you do, your heart will soften, your fear will dissolve, and peace—the kind that passes understanding—will guard your heart and mind.
Be of good cheer. Jesus is here. Don’t be afraid.
