Don't be afraid; just believe

While Jesus was still speaking, some men came from the house of Jairus, the synagogue ruler, "Your daughter is dead," they said.  "Why bother the teacher anymore?" ~ Mark 5:35

There is a passage in the Book of Mark that talks about the dead girl and teaches us some things we need to remember when we ask Jesus for something.  1) Go the distance.  Jairus asked Jesus to come to his house to heal is daughter but before they got there, several people tried to get Jesus' attention.  However, Jairus didn't just give up and go home, he continued to wait for Jesus to make His way through the crowd and come with him.  2) Block out the nay-sayers.  After Jesus agreed to go with Jairus, two men came and reported that his daughter was dead.  But Jesus ignored them and said, "Don't be afraid; just believe," (v. 36).  When we've prayed for something, people are going to try to tell us to give up.  We must learn to block them out and keep focused on the power we have with us in Jesus.  3) Keep just a few close and put out the rest.  Ever heard of crowd mentality?  It's when one person in a crowd gets everyone else in the crowd to go along with what they say.  Keeping just a few people around you, sets up a barrier between you and those who would laugh at you and tell you it can't be done.  And those around you can remind you of the promises of God when you are feeling low and wanting to give up.  When Jesus went to the house of Jaius, there were many who were crying and wailing because they saw that the little girl was dead.  Jesus said that she wasn't dead and put out all who said she was.  Then He went inside with the few He had brought with Him and commanded the girl to rise...And she did.

Whatever you are facing, whatever you've asked and believed God to do in your life, following this example will help you get there.  And in the end remember the words of Jesus, "Don't be afraid; just believe."
~Heather Potts~