Dear Unbelieving Heart …

Have you ever felt like you’re stuck? You need a miracle or a change to occur but nothing seems to be moving? 

There are seasons in life that can feel overwhelming and slightly defeating. You can work and do all that you can, yet nothing seems to budge. You fast and pray, you work hard, you try to think out several scenerios and plans, and yet, nothing seems to work out. However, the people around you seem to be taken care of.

Then, there’s you. You are crying and reaching out for answers and help, but they are no where to be found.

This reminds me of a story that I’ve read about a man named Jairus. Jairus was a synagogue leader whose daughter was dying. Jairus came to Jesus and asked for Jesus to heal his daughter. Jesus agreed to go with him and on their way they went with him to go heal his daughter. 

Can you imagine the relief Jairus felt?

Finally. Jesus saw him. He heard him. Jesus agreed to help and to go meet him where his need was.

But then, there were stops on the way. A large crowd saw Jesus and pressed in around Him. A women who had been suffering touched Jesus’ cloak. Jesus instantly recognized that he had been touched by the woman. The woman was free from years of suffering. She received her healing! She probably felt seen and loved and heard after years and years of suffering. It was a miracle on her behalf and something I’m sure she was believing for.

But there’s Jairus. Still waiting. 

Can you imagine the stress he probably felt waiting and waiting and waiting. This interaction with the woman could have been less than five minutes or maybe it lasted for over an hour. Either way, if you’ve ever been like Jairus, or me, the waiting seemed like a lifetime. If I were in his shoes, I would’ve been thinking “Okay Jesus, it’s my turn. I already asked you to help me and you said yes… now were are spending precious time helping others. 

To make the waiting even more stressful, people from the house of Jairus came and told him that his daughter was dead. 

DEAD?!?

Could you imagine? Jairus felt so hopeful and help was finally on the way! He was finally getting his prayers answered. Hope was finally on the horizon! But, it was all taken away so quickly. Sure, someone else got what they prayed for, but their answer to prayer seems to leave you in lack. They had hope restored, but your diminished. They got what they prayed for, but it seems that it cost you your miracle.

Have you ever felt that way? Have you been: Hopeless? Fearful? Doubtful? Full of unbelief? At a loss of what to do? Felt overlooked?

Overhearing what they said, Jesus told him, “Don’t be afraid; just believe.”

Don’t be afraid, just believe.

Don’t be afraid? But, my hope seems gone. My heart feels crushed. How can I do anything besides fear the worst? 

Just believe? Believe in what? The impossible? Believe that my daughter can come bak to life? Believe that this seemingly impossible situation is not impossible? 

“Don’t be afraid, Just believe,” is what Jesus said to comfort Jairus. If I were Jairus I would reply with, “Believe What?! The one thing I wanted Jesus to restore and heal is now dead. I DID believe, that’s why I came to you and now it’s too late .” But that’s just me and my own doubt and fear. Have you ever been there?

I fight the FEAR vs. FAITH battle A LOT. Are you familiar with it? If you’re not sure, here are some definitions for you! 

FEAR: “an unpleasant emotion caused by the belief that someone or something is dangerous, likely to cause pain, or a threat; to be afraid of; anxious concern.” 

FAITH/BELIEF: “trust, faith, or confidence in someone or something; firm belief in something for which there is no proof.” 

Fear and faith not only contradict one another, they war against each other. 

And do you know who is caught in the middle of this tug of war? ME. And more than likely, YOU. 

Why is it that it feels impossible to simply just believe? Probably because the circumstances surrounding us gives us a reason to not believe. 

In some seasons of my life I struggled to believe in God on behalf of my family, for salvations for people know,  and even wisdom and direction for what to do with my life. I would “believe” but then if something didn’t go right, or things weren’t changing, I would begin to become full of worry and fear. How awful. 

Honestly, how awful is it to live with such fear and burdens! 

If I don’t believe God to provide for me, how can I believe in Him to provide for others? If I can’t believe in God for small things then how can we believe Him for big things? How will I ever see miracles, healings, salvations, or complete wonders if I don’t believe?! 

But, God’s grace and goodness far surpasses our doubt and unbelief. 

Don’t give up on believing in God! 

God did not create us to halfway believe or to walk in life full of fear and doubt. He calls us to work and be faithful, yes; but He also calls us to REST and BELIEVE in His promises. Jairus did the work! He sought out Jesus and followed Him. It even “cost” him the life of his daughter. I’m sure after Jairus’ daughter was pronounced dead, Jairus got nervous and became heartbroken. Jairus had followed and presented his need to Jesus in faith, only to be let down so it seemed. Jairus was probably confused, concerned, and crushed all the way to his house. 

Jesus wasn’t worried. He has done this before! Jesus knows that dead things can come back to life. He calmly says, “Don’t worry, Just believe.” And I believe that He would say that to all of us!!Even if it seems like nothing is moving, everything is dead, or you’re not going to make it; Jesus is whispering to you, “Don’t worry, just believe.” 

He is trustworthy, my dear friend. 

Let your heart believe again.