Reaching Out In Faith 

I have just come back from holiday, staying in a villa with breathtaking views, although it was very hot! Sadly it was only for a week, but the week away was a momentary time to escape from the day to day. It has made me think about those of us who are facing difficult situations whether that be work, illness, depression or other difficult circumstances which we cannot so easily escape from.

What do we do and where do we go when we find ourselves in these situations?

There is only one answer and that is to run to Jesus. He is there for you all the time. Reach out to him. Be like the woman who reached out and touched Jesus's cloak. Here is a woman who not only suffered physically, but mentally. She had been bleeding for twelve years, so was obviously suffering physically but alongside that she must have suffered mental anguish. In Jewish society, she would have been labelled as unclean and unworthy of being a member of society. The sense of isolation and lack of companionship must have been unbearable, especially over such a long period of time. In her position, it would have been easy to give up and submit to a sense of hopelessness. Yet she doesn't do that. Instead she joins a crowd of people who would shun her, to reach out and touch Jesus's cloak. To this woman, Jesus was her hope. Her faith in Him not to abandon her was rewarded. The joy she must have felt in her healing would have been indescribable.

The desperation this woman must have felt during her illness can mirror the desperation we can feel as we face difficult situations. We too may have an illness where we cry out for healing or are suffering financial hardship to name but two. Yet Jesus is with us through all our hardships. He may heal us in an instant or we may have to wait years. Yet one thing is clear. He never abandons us.

In 2 Corinthians 12:9, "But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me."

The way God treats our weaknesses and cries for help are different from one another. If he chooses not to heal you today then ask Him to strengthen you. As we reach out to Jesus and persevere in faith, he is faithful to us bringing peace and joy into our situations.