Do not be afraid; only believe
Mark 5:36 But Jesus, overhearing what was being spoken, said to the synagogue official, “Do not be afraid any longer, only believe.”
Story: Jairus had power and influence as one of the rulers of the synagogue (v. 22). He was also desperate for his only daughter, a little girl at the point of death with sickness. For Jairus, his last hope was that Jesus could come to her, touch her, and heal her (v. 23). But God had other plans so that on the way home to his daughter, Jairus was informed of her death. Adding extra salt into the wound was the comment that there is no need to trouble the Teacher any further (v. 35). Jairus has no response, probably reeling with the news, the loss of hope, the grief. But Jesus responds with words that are specific to Jairus and yet speak to us all, ‘Do not be afraid; only believe.”
My Prayer Response: Father, again faith or believing is the opposite of fear or being afraid. So when I am afraid, I must trust in You! Let this become a habitual response in me – from fear to prayer and remembering who You are to trust and believing. Thank You that even when it seems all so hopeless – like Jairus might have felt – You are still at work, and nothing is impossible with You!
May you replace fear with faith in Jesus this day!