• Skip to main content
  • Account
  • Cart
  • Change Country

Insight for Living

The Bible-Teaching Ministry of Pastor Chuck Swindoll

  • Home
  • Broadcasts
    • Current Broadcast
    • Broadcast Schedule
    • Broadcast Archive
    • Series Library
    • STS Bible Studies
    • Ways to Listen
    • Sunday Services
    • Paws & Tales
  • Resources
    • Daily Devotional
    • Insights on the Bible
    • Insights by Topic
    • Article Library
    • Church Leaders
    • Church Resources
    • How to Know God
    • Chuck’s Next Book
    • Video Library
    • Reframing Ministries
  • International
    • About Vision 195
    • International Pastors
    • International Offices
  • Connect
    • FAQs
    • Contact Us
    • Social Media
    • Mobile App
    • Share Your Testimony
    • Bible Questions and Counseling
    • Pray for IFL
  • About
    • Essential Beliefs
    • Chuck Swindoll
    • Questions about Chuck
    • Leadership
    • Where Donations Go
    • Work With Us
    • Volunteer Opportunities
  • Store
  • Donate
    • Give Now
    • Give Monthly
    • My Account
    • Giving Through Stock Transfers
    • Planned Giving
    • Giving History
    • Why Give
    • This Month’s Letter
Home » Biblical Resources » Article Library » Seven Impossibilities Jesus Made Possible

Helpful Links

  • FAQS
  • Contact Us
  • Social Media
  • Mobile App
  • Share Your Testimony
  • Bible Questions and Counseling
  • Pray for IFL

Article Library

Follow us:
Facebook
X
Instagram
YouTube
Pinterest

Seven Impossibilities Jesus Made Possible


By Pastor Chuck Swindoll


Impossible!

Has this word crossed your lips lately as you peer at an unsolvable problem? The dictionary defines impossible as “incapable of being done, attained, or fulfilled: insuperably difficult.” 1

So, what’s your “insuperably difficult” circumstance? Perhaps an adult child who has strayed in the wrong direction? Maybe a marriage in which you and your spouse hardly speak to each other? A physical ailment declared untreatable by a doctor? The categories of “impossibilities” go on and on. Whatever the obstacle, it’s impassable; whatever the situation, it’s intolerable. No counselor, friend, pastor, or family member can bring the needed change.

If I’ve described your situation, I have great news. I’m so glad that I memorized it years ago and call it to mind often. Here it is: We are all faced with a series of great opportunities, brilliantly disguised as impossible situations.

That impossibility in your life? Inside its uncrackable shell is an incredible opportunity waiting to come to life. How do I know? Because Jesus has the power to make the impossible possible! How can I be certain? Because Jesus demonstrated such power during His ministry. The book of John records seven miracles that show Jesus’ astonishing power over things that can stump us. Let’s look at all seven briefly and the power they display:

1. Power over quality. At a wedding in Cana, when the wine ran out, Jesus told the servants to fill six stone pots with water and take a cupful to the headwaiter. Putting the cup to his lips, the waiter tasted that Jesus had not only turned the water into wine, but the best wine (John 2:1–12).

2. Power over distance. Later, a royal official came to Cana to ask Jesus to heal his dying son in Capernaum, about twenty miles away. Without moving, Jesus told him, “‘Go back home. Your son will live!’” (4:50). He healed the boy from a distance.

3. Power over time. By the pool of Bethesda, Jesus saw a man who had been disabled for 38 years. The Lord commanded him, “‘Stand up, pick up your mat, and walk!’” (5:8). It didn’t matter that the man had been lame for almost four decades; when Jesus said “walk,” he walked!

4. Power over quantity. Next, Jesus fed a crowd of over 5,000 people with five small loaves and two sardine-sized fish (6:1–15). How could so little feed so many? The math didn’t add up for the disciples, but lack of enough never limited Jesus’ ability.

5. Power over nature. When a strong wind stirred up the sea and the terrified disciples strained at the oars to make it to shore, Jesus walked on the water and calmed the storm (6:16–21).

6. Power over misfortune. In Jerusalem, Jesus noticed a man blind since birth. Without hype or hoopla, the Light of the World brought light to the man’s eyes (9:1–7).

7. Power over death. When Lazarus died, his sisters’ hopes died with him. However, Jesus transformed their impossibility into the perfect opportunity to glorify God by bringing Lazarus back to life (11:1–44).

Humanly speaking, each of these problems seemed as impossible as calculus to a preschooler. But to Jesus, the solution was obvious. He understood, “‘What is impossible for people is possible with God’” (Luke 18:27). He lived every day by Jeremiah’s prayer:

“O Sovereign LORD! You made the heavens and earth by your strong hand and powerful arm. Nothing is too hard for you!” (Jeremiah 32:17)

Why don’t you take a moment to pray Jeremiah’s prayer regarding your impossibility? Finish the phrase, “O Sovereign Lord, nothing is too hard for You regarding _____________,” and write down your personal impossibility. Then commit to surrendering that impossibility to the Lord from this day on.

Miracles are surprising, unexplainable, and as rare as a flawless pearl. But they do occur! We can’t predict when God will sovereignly say, “Now,” and transform our impossibilities into opportunities. What we can do is believe in His power and rest in His sovereignty.

Let me add a final thought. When Jesus issued the Great Commission, He invited each of us to live in the realm of the humanly impossible. At Insight for Living Ministries, we thrive on impossibilities because, frankly, if we’re not attempting the impossible, we might be missing an opportunity for God. Will you join us? Partner with us in our Vision 195 goal of making disciples in all 195 countries. Let’s witness Jesus making the impossible possible in our day!

 


1. Merriam-Webster’s Collegiate Dictionary, 11th Ed., ed. Frederick C. Mish, (Springfield, Mass: Merriam-Webster, Inc., 2008), s.v. “Impossible.”

Copyright © 2018 by Charles R. Swindoll, Inc. All rights are reserved worldwide.

About the author

Pastor Chuck Swindoll

Pastor Charles R. Swindoll has devoted his life to the accurate, practical teaching and application of God’s Word. He is the founding pastor of Stonebriar Community Church in Frisco, Texas, but Chuck’s listening audience extends far beyond a local church body. As a leading program in Christian broadcasting since 1979, Insight for Living airs around the world. Chuck’s leadership as president and now chancellor emeritus at Dallas Theological Seminary has helped prepare and equip a new generation of men and women for ministry.

More articles by Pastor Chuck Swindoll

Why Give?

Watch Video

Why Support Insight for Living Ministries

In this short video, Chuck Swindoll explains that Insight for Living can not continue financially without the generosity of loyal friends just like you.

A Timeless, Reliable Guide

Pastor Chuck’s five-message series delivered from the pulpit right before he retired has been compiled into a hardback book. Looking in All the Right Directions is a must-have treasure of wisdom on subjects dear to Chuck’s heart.

Footer

Insight for Living Broadcast

Whenever I'm going through something, your sermons/talks give me such strength to make it through the day. I listen most every day at work (with my headphones on) but I notice that it helps me stay focused and calm hearing you speaking the words that God wants me to hear for that moment in time. So again, thank you! —A.R. from Massachusetts

Help Us Impact Listeners’ Lives

Let’s Keep in Contact

Areas of Interest

Contact Permission

By clicking the "Sign up" button below, I am requesting to receive e-mail communications from Insight for Living, and I agree to allow my personal data to be processed according to their privacy policy.

Welcome

  • Our Mission
  • Chuck Swindoll
  • Essential Beliefs
  • Vision 195
  • How to Know God
  • The Book Shoppe & Coffee

Resources

  • Insights by Topic
  • Insights on the Bible
  • Article Library
  • Daily Devotional
  • Videos
  • Church Resources

Donate

  • Donate Now
  • Stock Transfers
  • Wills and Estate Planning
  • Why Support IFL?
  • Where Donations Go
  • My Donations

Contact

  • Contact Us
  • FAQs / Email
  • International Offices
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms of Use
  • Rights & Permissions

© 2025 Insight for Living. All rights reserved.

Follow us:
Facebook
X
Instagram
YouTube
Pinterest