Dear Unbelieving Heart

“Jesus told him, “Don’t be afraid; just believe.” – Mark 5:36

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 scenarios 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 nowhere 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 woman 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 in.

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 we 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 you’re 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 back 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 that surround us give 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 fully believe?! 

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

The story ended with this in Mark 5:38-42:

”When they came to the home of the synagogue leader, Jesus saw a commotion, with people crying and wailing loudly. He went in and said to them, “Why all this commotion and wailing? The child is not dead but asleep.” But they laughed at him.

After he put them all out, he took the child’s father and mother and the disciples who were with him, and went in where the child was. ⁴¹ He took her by the hand and said to her, “Talitha koum!” (which means “Little girl, I say to you, get up!”). Immediately the girl stood up and began to walk around (she was twelve years old).”

Jesus walked in and although everyone around the girl said she looked dead, Jesus saw the truth. She was not dead, but only sleeping. Even though things in your life may look dead to you and those around you, what would Jesus say? Would he pronounce them dead? Would He pronounce your dreams dead? Your hope is dead? 

Your unsaved friends and family dead? Your future is dead? Or, would Jesus walk in and say, ‘Why all this commotion and wailing? Why do you have all this doubt and anxiety? Nothing is dead – only sleeping. Do not fear.’

Here are 3 things I want you to remember right now in the midst of the unbelief:

1. Don’t give up on believing in God! 

Imagine if Jairus would have given up after the servant stopped him on the road? What if Jairus never took Jesus to his need out of fear and said ‘Don’t worry about it, I don’t need you anymore.’ Jairus wouldn’t have received his miracle. Just as he persevered and chose to trust, you have to choose to trust too. You cannot be afraid to invite Jesus into your needs. Just because your miracle may not happen when you want or need it to, doesn’t mean Jesus won’t be faithful to you in His timing.

2. God did not create us to halfway believe or to live 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. But, he still followed Jesus and trusted Him. 

3. Even when it looks like all is lost, keep following Jesus.

Jairus did not receive the miracle he wanted. He wanted Jesus to heal his daughter when she was pronounced dead. I kind of agree that it would be nice to receive a miracle before anyone mourns her death. But, just because Jesus didn’t perform the miracle Jairus wanted, doesn’t mean He didn’t come through for Jairus. The same goes for you. Your breakthrough may not look the way you think it should, happen in your timeline, or work out according to your plan. However, Jesus will answer you and come through for you in a way He knows is best for you. That may look different than everyone around you, in fact – it more than likely will. 

Do not worry! 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. 

Prayers, Declarations, and Reflections

I want to leave you with some prayers and declarations for you to pray over your purpose. I pray that your heart is filled with hope and encouragement as you are reminded of the goodness and grace of God. Place your hand over your heart as you pray these over yourself:

“Father, I know that you have already finished every good work for me before the foundations of the world. I pray that you manifest those plans in my life. (Ephesians 2:10, Hebrews 4:3)”

“Father, I know and believe that you cause all things to work together for my good. Give me the grace and faith to trust you in the process of finding and walking in my purpose.”

“Father, I know that your purposes for my life will always prevail as long as I obey you. (Proverbs 19:21) I refuse to let fear and doubt discourage me today. I choose to trust in you and your faithfulness.”

“Father, I know that I can do all things because you strengthen me. Thank you for giving me the strength to fulfill the plans and purposes that you have for my life.”

“Father, I know that the same Spirit that raised Jesus from the dead lives on the inside of me. I know that you empower me and are with me every step of the way. Thank you for leading and guiding me and never forsaking or leaving me.”

1. What are some areas in your life or situations that you may carry unbelief in?
2. What fear, lie, disappointment, etc. is keeping you from fully believing in the Lord?
3. What truth is God speaking over those unbeliefs?
4. What are some scriptures you can stand on in faith for these ‘hard to believe’ circumstances?
5. Write a testimony of a time God has come through for YOU. Whenever unbelief creeps in, remember this testimony and stand on it in faith that if Jesus showed up for you before, He will do it again.