Some days, the cars on the road all seem to be in the way, phone calls are an interruption, the voices around us seem to be complaining about one thing or another, and we have a mountain of work in front of us that we just can’t seem to get to.
Feeling heavy? Most of us have days like this and sometimes it is all we can do to get everything into order so that something purposeful gets accomplished.
Pressing in on every side
In Luke chapter 8 verses 40-56, we read about a day when Jesus was on his way to heal the 12 year old daughter of a synagogue leader. As Jesus walked, he was surrounded by many people, so much so that they were pressing in on every side, almost crushing him.
I think for many people, the obstacles in getting to this urgent destination on time, would perhaps cause frustration and stress, but Jesus knew there was purpose in every step and he was not perturbed.
While Jesus was making his way to the home of the sick girl, a woman who had been subject to bleeding for twelve years, touched his cloak. Now this seemed strange to the disciples when Jesus asked who touched him. There were many people in the crowd pressing against him as he walked, but this was a touch of faith. Believing for a miracle, the woman who touched the hem of Jesus’ cloak knew that Jesus had the power to heal her and her faith was rewarded. Jesus stopped and addressed her as ‘daughter’ and blessed her.
Daughters of the King arise
While this was happening, Jairus received word that his daughter was dead and that he shouldn’t bother the teacher anymore.
‘Hearing this, Jesus said to Jairus, “Don’t be afraid; just believe, and she will be healed.” (Luke chapter 8 verse 50)
He kept on and by the time he arrived at Jairus’ house, people were wailing and mourning because the girl had already died. Jesus silenced the negative voices and made way for a miracle.
‘“Stop wailing,” Jesus said. “She is not dead but asleep.” They laughed at him, knowing that she was dead.’ (verse 52-53)
When he entered the house, He left the mourners outside, not letting any of them enter the room where Jairus’ daughter lay; instead, in a room where only those with faith and hope stood, he spoke to the little girl and told her to get up.
‘Her spirit returned and at once she stood up.’ (verse 55)
Remove the complaining
Sometimes we need to remove the mourners from around us in order to accomplish that which God has purposed for us to do. We need to remove the spirit of heaviness and replace it with the Spirit of the Lord, swapping heaviness with the garment of praise. Praise changes the atmosphere and brings healing, comfort, liberty and beauty.
The Bible tells us that heaviness is a spirit (Isaiah chapter 61 verse 3) and we need to be rid of it. It is there only to cause distraction, obstacles and adversities which misdirect us from the path that God has mapped out for us.
When we feel nothing is going our way, that obstacles are clouding our view and getting in our way and heaviness is weighing us down, that is the time to give it to God. It can be a hard thing to push through as it feels like a weight upon us at the time, but when we fill our hearts with praise and surround ourselves with people of faith, speaking truth, life and love, God is glorified and the things that come against us, begin to disappear.
Jesus loves his daughters and sons, and there are no obstacles that will stop Him from reaching his destination to us. The question is: will we remove our obstacles to Him?
“He has sent me…to comfort all who mourn, to console those who mourn in Zion, to give them beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness; that they may be called trees of righteousness, the planting of the Lord, that He may be glorified.”—Isaiah chapter 61
Rebecca and her husband, have four children and live on the Sunshine Coast, Australia. Rebecca writes for various publications including print, online and commercial. She has recently published her first book titled ‘First to Forty’ which is available on Amazon and Kindle. For more information: http://www.rebeccamoore.life
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