When I asked my friend if I could pray with her, the response made me sad:
“It’s okay, you don’t have to pray for me. There are people with cancer and lots of other things worse than me. You should pray for them. I’ll be fine.”
It was as if she felt her problems and her concerns were unimportant to God, that she didn’t matter as much as other people, that she could only go to him with the really big issues and that she had to deal with everything else by herself.
It was as if she thought that, by asking God for help, she was taking his time and attention away from people who needed it more.
I assured her that God was big enough to deal with all of it, that I would pray for those other people but that I wanted to pray for her too, that God’s power was more than enough for everyone, and eventually she let me do it.
But don’t we all have those times when we wonder if our struggles really matter?
We look at the world around us and see massive issues like poverty, terrorism, human trafficking and natural disasters. We look at people we know, in our family or community, and see serious illness, mental health problems, divorce and bereavement. If we’re not struggling with any of those “big issues” it can be easy to fall into the trap of thinking that our problems don’t matter, or that maybe we don’t matter. Maybe it seems wrong to bother God with our little concerns when there are people dealing with so much more.
My favourite story in the Bible is probably the story of the lady who suffered with bleeding for twelve years but was healed by touching Jesus’ robe. I relate to it on so many levels- the years of feeling “different” and unclean, the growing faith that Jesus was the answer, the time hiding at the back of the crowd, battling the feelings of unworthiness and trying to work out the best way to approach him, and finally, the moment where a encounter with Jesus brought transformation.
The part of the story that has been speaking to me this week though is the part after the woman receives her healing, because there’s something I hadn’t considered about this passage before: while all of this is happening, Jesus is meant to be on his way to a girl who is dying.
It is as he is making his way to Jairus’ house to help his daughter that the woman weaves her way through the crowd to touch his robe. Once she has received her healing, surely it would have made sense for Jesus just to let her go so that he could continue on his way.
But instead, he stops and asks: “Who touched me?”
I’m sure the disciples wonder what Jesus is doing. Why does this matter when a girl’s life is at stake? They point out that there is a huge crowd pressing in all around him. Somebody probably accidentally bumped into him.
But Jesus knows it was deliberate; power has gone out from him. And so he waits- until eventually the woman steps forward and comes out of hiding.
Trembling with fear, she falls at his feet, but he publicly affirms her faith and addresses her as “daughter.”
It’s an amazing display of love and compassion. Not only has she been healed physically, but she is restored emotionally, and freed from the shame she has carried for twelve long years.
I love that Jesus takes the time to do this at a moment where it would have been understandable for him to ignore the woman to get to someone with a greater need. Of course we know the end of the story: he will get there and he will heal the girl, but he has time for the woman too. His power is more than enough for everyone.
I love that someone who was overlooked and disregarded by others, seen as an outcast and considered unclean, is left in no doubt about the fact that she matters to Jesus.
And I love that we serve a God who cares about the little things in our lives as well as the big ones, that we never have to hesitate to come to him, thinking that our concerns are too small or insignificant to bother him with. He cares about the details of our lives, and each one of us matters to him. He showed that by making time for the woman, and he showed that by answering the prayer for my friend in a way she would never have expected, letting her know that she mattered to him too.
“What is the price of two sparrows- one copper coin? But not a single sparrow can fall to the ground without your Father knowing it. And the very hairs on your head are all numbered. So don’t be afraid; you are more valuable to God than a whole flock of sparrows.” (Matthew 10:29-31)
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I live in Scotland and love music, theatre, reading and writing. I write to encourage people that whatever their circumstances, there is always hope to be found in God. Visit my blog or follow my social media!
That is so sad, and I’m afraid at the root of the attItude is prIde. I know that because I used to be guilty – now? If someone wants to pray for me? BRING IT ON!!!! Yes, Lord.
I agree, Susan, pride can play a big part in this, and it is sad if it prevents us from accepting help or prayer. I’m glad you let people pray for you now!
Like Jesus, when we are in the middle of ministering to someone else, we might be interrupted. We might be tempted to push off the interruption. After all, our task at hand is important. But if we are sensitive to the Spirit, we can allow those interruptions to turn into more moments of ministry. Just a new thought about this story I had while reading your post. 😉
I’m glad your friend finally let you pray for her. Thanks for your words today!
Thanks, Kelly! Yes, it’s definitely important to stay open to the Spirit’s leading, even if we’re doing something and it seems to come as an interruption.
I love this post! Such encouragement when we feel like our problems are nil to Him.
When others ask this question, I’m going to say “yes pray for me.”
Thanks, Julie. I’m glad it encouraged you. It’s always good to say yes to prayer!
Love this post, Lesley! Your insight to the story is beautiful, and shared in a way I’ve never perceived-thank you for that! Thanks goodness God does care for the small, the big, and all the stuff inbetween <3
Mandy
Thanks, Mandy! It is reassuring to know that God cares about it all- that our problems are never too small to matter to him or too big for him to deal with.
There’s so much truth here. We are so quick to compare and let pride sneak in. I’m glad we matter to God.
It is encouraging to remember that our problems don’t have to be “big” for God to care, and that nothing is too small to take to him.
This is a wonderful post…so encouraging! I have never thought about the fact that Jesus was going somewhere that seemed “more important.” Thanks for pointing that out and giving me a new perspective on a beloved story from our Savior’s life!
Thanks, Charlie. I’m glad it encouraged you. No matter what our struggles are they’re never unimportant to God.
I love that He sees and cares about every aspect of my life! What an encouragement for rough days!
I’m glad it encouraged you, Sarah. It’s reassuring to remember that nothing is too small for God to care about.
I am so grateful our God cares about everything that concerns us. May we not rank any prayer need in order of importance as they all are important to our God. And I love that you reminded us Jesus stopped on the way to speak with and heal this woman. Just beautiful!
Thanks, Joanne. It is encouraging to remember that it’s all important to God and he cares about all our needs.
Thanks for such a lovely reminder, Lesley! I was talking to a young girl recently and encouraging her that God is enough for her, that she can trust Him to bring her problems to Him. And through tears, she asked, “But, am I enough for God?” I tried my best to assure her, but I think I will prayerfully find the time to share this story with her as well, as it so beautifully depicts Jesus’ heart for those who feel unseen. Thanks again!
Thanks, Carlie. I’m glad you found it helpful and hope this story will encourage the girl you’ve been speaking with. I love how even when we feel unseen or overlooked Jesus cares.
This is one of my favorite stories, too! I love how Jesus cares so tenderly for women…broken women.
Thanks for sharing on Grace and Truth.
“His power is more than enough for everyone.”
Amen!
I was talking with a lady at the metro link station a while back about this very subject. I was saying how when we think that He is too busy taking care of other business to help us with our problems, we are actually making God out to be much smaller than He really is. But He is an immensely and unimaginably Huge God whose power and love are limitless! Praise Him that He is able to hear the prayers of everyone at the same time and answer their prayers! We don’t have to take a number and wait in line! Yay God!
🙂