Have you ever experienced trials that seemed unrelenting?
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.
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.
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.
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.
When her situation was unsolvable in her own strength, she leaned in to Jesus.
What about you? Do you have a situation that requires you lean into Jesus? It’s my prayer that he blesses your faith.
Hope Prevails,
Dr. B
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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!