Have you ever experienced trials that seemed unrelenting? What do you do when it seems the odds are against you? Lean In during the hard times. Lean in to Jesus.
My husband had just received word that he needed a biopsy of a new suspicious growth. With his history of cancer, his doctors were leaving nothing to chance. Every time he had needed an updated scan, I unconsciously held my breath. This latest report led to the same.
My mind raced and my thoughts swirled about me in an unfocused worry, the polar opposite to “unforced rhythms of grace” that Jesus talks about in Matthew 11.
The woman with the issue of blood
I was reminded of the woman with the issue of blood. She had suffered for years. If I put myself in her shoes, I have to wonder if she ever felt hopeless? Abandoned, rejected and lonely? Do you think she ever felt overwhelmed by the enormity of her problems?
The odds were against her. Because of her hemorrhaging, she was considered an outcast. The Bible says many doctors had already treated her, taken her money, and left her worse off than she initially was.
When you feel overwhelmed, abandoned, rejected, and lonely, lean in to Jesus.
There’s one thing I know: when she leaned in, when she pressed in toward the source of her solution and healing, Jesus honored that. The Bible doesn’t say that she tried with all her might. Nor does it say that she clung to Jesus. It doesn’t even imply when she tried everything else and was desperate, she went running to Jesus in desperation.
She touched His robe.
“Just then a woman who had hemorrhaged for 12 years slipped in from behind and lightly touched his robe. She was thinking to herself, ‘If I can just put a finger on his robe, I’ll get well’” (Matthew 9: 20-21 MSG).
When she was overwhelmed and nothing else had healed her, she simply touched His robe in faith, believing that would heal her.
When her situation was unsolvable in her own strength, she leaned in to Jesus
Jesus said it was her faith that healed her. Not even her touching his garment, but her faith. I think the Bible mentions her touching his robe, however, so we get the benefit of seeing how she put her faith into practice.
What about you? Do you have a situation that requires you lean in to Jesus? It’s my prayer that He blesses your faith.
Hope Prevails,
Dr. B
Every day can be a good day when you trust the promises of God.
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You know I’m leaning. And I also know that I have to trust in what I know to be true about God, and not the circumstances before me. Still, it is a struggle because walking by sight is easier. But faith muscles don’t strengthen with easy.
Anne, I know you are leaning in and trusting. You make an excellent point: we have to trust what we know to be true about God rather then believe the circumstances we see. I know He honors that. I am leaning in for you and trusting with you.
Thank you, Michelle! Your words are a cup of cold water. I am reaching for His robe….
Keep reaching securelyheld! He will do the rest. By her faith she was healed.
Thank you.
Oh yes, those days of fear lurking at the door …those are the days of praise and thanksgiving for all He has done at the cross for us. The woman with the issue of blood hoped in faith and reached out in faith and it seems a forward thinking kind of thing whereas we “look back” at the Cross and have the Scripture to confirm the truth of Jesus’s purpose and actions. My leaning in is a a time of praise and thanksgiving! Thank you Michelle, for bringing Truth into clear view.
Jeannie, oh how much easier and more peaceful things would be if we all did as you do, and lean in with praise and thanksgiving. It’s music to the Creator’s ears!
When things seem to be at their worst….that’s when God does His best work! ❤️
I have always been drawn to this story. She gave her all to just touch the hem of Jesus robe. Courage, faith, determination, absence of fear, trust, belief and I’m sure other words to describe her attitude and behavior to be in that crowd and touch His robe. Wow! She believed she would be healed. Thank you for sharing this story. It is so encouraging for my daily walk of faith and trust.
This article gave me hope that my relationship with one of my sons will be reconciled. The rejection at my choice of where I will live made him cut all communication and become resistant to any visits. At first, I was astounded and then hurt that he would reject my decision. Reading about how the hemorrhaging woman touched Jesus’s hem of his garment to find healing made me realize how I need to do as she did. Leaning into Jesus gives me hope that there will be healing in this relationship. I feel a peace about my decision to continue the building a new home. I cannot change a person, but only Jesus can work on a person’s heart. I need is to keep believing Jesus will work out all details. He is my hope that all will be resolved. It’s in His time and I must trust Him to guide me to possibly contact my son.