“And he said to her, “Daughter, your faith has made you well. Go in peace. Your suffering is over.” Mark 5:34 NLT
Waiting.
Waiting at a stop light, waiting in line, and waiting on the mail. Waiting on the repair person and waiting on that promotion and waiting on the check and waiting for our prodigal to come home. Waiting on the acceptance letter and waiting to becalled at the doctor’s office. Waiting for the procedure to start. Waiting for the doctor to contact me with the results. Waiting is hard. Waiting is tiring and nerve-wracking at times.
Society has made us impatient. Instant food, fast food, one and two-day shipping, instant downloads, and so on. Waiting in the wings is hard, but it depends on the wings you are waiting in.
Are you waiting in God’s wings or are you waiting in the wings of the world?
“He will cover you with his feathers. He will shelter you with his wings. His faithful promises are your armor and protection.” Psalm 91:4 NLT
Right now, I’m waiting on the test results. Today marks five weeks. Most days I try not to think about it, other days that’s all I can think about. The “what ifs?”, the “what could it mean?”. This four-week waiting time can’t compare to a woman who bled for 12 years. A woman who would have been an outcast, one that all of society would have deemed unclean. I can’t imagine the hurt, embarrassment, and painshe endured daily. She couldn’t go to the market and out in the community like everyone else because her condition isolated her.
In Mark 5, we learn about a woman who spent all her money visiting doctors to figure out what was wrong with her, yet none could heal her. She isn’t named in the scriptures, but when she was finally at her limit and she couldn’t take it anymore, she reached for Jesus. She was brave and reached out to touch His robe. She believed that simply touching His robe was enough to heal her once and for all. (Mark 5:28).
The immediate healing that she received was the result of no longer trying to do it on her own. Even though she was at her weakest point, she had faith that just gathering the strength and courage to reach out and touch Jesus’ robe would heal her. To hear those words from Jesus’ mouth, “‘Daughter, your faith has made you well. Go in peace. Your suffering is over.’” (Mark 5:34 NLT). I don’t know what relief, elation, or pure joy that woman actually felt at the time when Jesus spoke those words to her.
I long for those words, and I know that one day -it may not be on this side of heaven -but one day, I will hear Jesus tell me that my suffering is over. Oh, what a day that will be, but while I’m in waiting I’m going to focus my thoughts and heart on Jesus, the ultimate healer.
Lord, we thank You. We appreciate You and we love You. We pray for the healing that only you can provide, You are Jehovah Rapha, my Healer, may You provide comfort for us while we are in the waiting and help us bless others while we are waiting.
Thank you, Lord, in Jesus’ name, Amen.
Brianna Barrett
About the Writer: Brianna is a Carolina girl that loves Jesus and her family. She enjoys watching the sunrise, photography, reading, writing, and paddleboarding. According to her teenage son, she’s a master chef in the kitchen, making gluten-free cuisine from around the world. Her writing has appeared in numerous publications including Faith On Every Corner, The Christian Journal, and Our Story Magazine. Check out her latest works at www.briannagrams.com and connect with her on Instagram @sunriseoceanwave.
