Reach for Jesus
Dude, He's Perfect: Finding Healing in the Presence of Jesus
When life's issues overwhelm us, it's easy to feel isolated and separated from God. But what if Jesus is closer than we think? What if He's ready to perform a miracle in your life, even when you feel unworthy?
When Our Issues Define Us
In Mark 5, we encounter a powerful story of a woman who had been suffering from bleeding for 12 years. This wasn't just a physical condition—it was an identity. For 12 years, she wasn't known by her name but by her issue. She was "the woman with the issue of blood."
Sound familiar? We often allow our issues to become so big they overtake our identity. The world loves to identify us not by our name but by our problems:
When we don't spend time finding our identity in Christ, we'll spend time trying to get someone or something else to define us. We'll try to prove ourselves, spend money to obtain validation, or attach ourselves to relationships hoping they'll fill the void.
How Our Issues Affect Us
There are three ways our issues impact our relationship with God and others:
1. Our Issues Isolate Us
For the woman in Mark 5, her condition made her ceremonially unclean. According to Jewish law, she couldn't touch others or be touched. For 12 years, she lived without physical contact—no hugs, no handshakes, nothing.
Our issues do the same thing. Whether it's anger, lust, unforgiveness, pride, or recurring sin, these issues separate us from others and make us feel alone. Shame and guilt become our constant companions, isolating us from community.
The enemy wants to keep us isolated because he knows that in isolation, we're vulnerable. John 8:44 reminds us that Satan "is a liar and the father of lies." His goal is to make you feel alone in your struggle.
2. Our Issues Separate Us from Our Perception of Jesus
When we're caught in our issues, we begin to believe Jesus is distant and doesn't want to be around us. We think, "He's too busy with bigger problems" or "He's mad at me."
What we focus on, we magnify. When we focus on problems, they become bigger. When we focus on promises, God becomes bigger.
The woman with the issue of blood had a turning point: "When she heard about Jesus..." What she heard about became what she was about. Someone was talking about Jesus, and it changed her life.
Are we still excited about talking about Jesus? Do we still get goosebumps when we think about salvation? Or have we become so familiar with Jesus that we've lost our wonder?
3. Our Issues Can Lead to Connection
Despite her isolation and separation, this woman experienced the miracle of connection. She had to push through fear, judgment, and physical weakness to reach Jesus. But when she touched Him, everything changed.
Every time we step out in faith, we have to deal with fear. That doesn't mean we're less of a Christian or going the wrong way. It might mean we're going exactly the right way because we're attempting something beyond our abilities.
Jesus Makes a Way as You Make Your Way
Here's the beautiful truth: Jesus was making a way for this woman even as she was making her way to Him. Think about it—Jesus was likely walking at a brisk pace, surrounded by crowds. Yet somehow, this weak, anemic woman was able to catch up to Him.
Why? Because Jesus was orchestrating the entire encounter.
No matter how weak you are, Jesus will not pass you by. No matter how much you've sinned, Jesus will not overlook you. He's always making a way as you are making your way.
A Miracle Within a Miracle
In Mark 5, we see Jesus performing a miracle within a miracle. He was on His way to heal Jairus's daughter when the woman with the issue of blood touched Him. Jesus stopped, acknowledged her, and healed her—all while on His way to perform another miracle.
This reveals something profound about Jesus: He's not too busy for you. He can do a miracle in your life while simultaneously working in someone else's. His power is infinite. He is not depleted when He helps others.
Life Application
This week, I challenge you to:
Ask yourself:
Remember, Jesus is perfect in His timing, perfect in His power, and perfect in His love for you. He's ready to meet you exactly where you are.
When life's issues overwhelm us, it's easy to feel isolated and separated from God. But what if Jesus is closer than we think? What if He's ready to perform a miracle in your life, even when you feel unworthy?
When Our Issues Define Us
In Mark 5, we encounter a powerful story of a woman who had been suffering from bleeding for 12 years. This wasn't just a physical condition—it was an identity. For 12 years, she wasn't known by her name but by her issue. She was "the woman with the issue of blood."
Sound familiar? We often allow our issues to become so big they overtake our identity. The world loves to identify us not by our name but by our problems:
- "You're the one with anger issues"
- "You're the one who's been divorced"
- "You're the one with addiction problems"
When we don't spend time finding our identity in Christ, we'll spend time trying to get someone or something else to define us. We'll try to prove ourselves, spend money to obtain validation, or attach ourselves to relationships hoping they'll fill the void.
How Our Issues Affect Us
There are three ways our issues impact our relationship with God and others:
1. Our Issues Isolate Us
For the woman in Mark 5, her condition made her ceremonially unclean. According to Jewish law, she couldn't touch others or be touched. For 12 years, she lived without physical contact—no hugs, no handshakes, nothing.
Our issues do the same thing. Whether it's anger, lust, unforgiveness, pride, or recurring sin, these issues separate us from others and make us feel alone. Shame and guilt become our constant companions, isolating us from community.
The enemy wants to keep us isolated because he knows that in isolation, we're vulnerable. John 8:44 reminds us that Satan "is a liar and the father of lies." His goal is to make you feel alone in your struggle.
2. Our Issues Separate Us from Our Perception of Jesus
When we're caught in our issues, we begin to believe Jesus is distant and doesn't want to be around us. We think, "He's too busy with bigger problems" or "He's mad at me."
What we focus on, we magnify. When we focus on problems, they become bigger. When we focus on promises, God becomes bigger.
The woman with the issue of blood had a turning point: "When she heard about Jesus..." What she heard about became what she was about. Someone was talking about Jesus, and it changed her life.
Are we still excited about talking about Jesus? Do we still get goosebumps when we think about salvation? Or have we become so familiar with Jesus that we've lost our wonder?
3. Our Issues Can Lead to Connection
Despite her isolation and separation, this woman experienced the miracle of connection. She had to push through fear, judgment, and physical weakness to reach Jesus. But when she touched Him, everything changed.
Every time we step out in faith, we have to deal with fear. That doesn't mean we're less of a Christian or going the wrong way. It might mean we're going exactly the right way because we're attempting something beyond our abilities.
Jesus Makes a Way as You Make Your Way
Here's the beautiful truth: Jesus was making a way for this woman even as she was making her way to Him. Think about it—Jesus was likely walking at a brisk pace, surrounded by crowds. Yet somehow, this weak, anemic woman was able to catch up to Him.
Why? Because Jesus was orchestrating the entire encounter.
No matter how weak you are, Jesus will not pass you by. No matter how much you've sinned, Jesus will not overlook you. He's always making a way as you are making your way.
A Miracle Within a Miracle
In Mark 5, we see Jesus performing a miracle within a miracle. He was on His way to heal Jairus's daughter when the woman with the issue of blood touched Him. Jesus stopped, acknowledged her, and healed her—all while on His way to perform another miracle.
This reveals something profound about Jesus: He's not too busy for you. He can do a miracle in your life while simultaneously working in someone else's. His power is infinite. He is not depleted when He helps others.
Life Application
This week, I challenge you to:
- Identify your issues: What issues are isolating you from others and separating you from experiencing God's presence? Name them honestly.
- Focus on promises, not problems: Begin to speak life and truth instead of dwelling on negativity. What promises of God can you claim today?
- Take a step of faith: Like the woman who pushed through the crowd, what step of faith do you need to take, even if it means facing fear?
- Connect with community: Don't remain isolated. Join a community group where you can be known, prayed for, and valued.
Ask yourself:
- Am I allowing my issues to define me, or am I finding my identity in Christ?
- What am I focusing on and magnifying—my problems or God's promises?
- Where do I need to push through fear to experience connection with Jesus?
- Do I believe Jesus is making a way for me even now?
Remember, Jesus is perfect in His timing, perfect in His power, and perfect in His love for you. He's ready to meet you exactly where you are.
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