After Exhausting All Options

Good Morning Beautiful,

Taking the time to connect with God is truly a remarkable experience. During these quiet moments, you can open your heart, share your concerns, and invite him into your empty spaces. God is always present, ready to provide the comfort and healing you need. More than that, He validates your feelings and guides you in the right direction with grace and ease. As time goes on, you’ll realize that you’ve entered into a lifelong relationship with God. It’s not just about giving but receiving more than you could ever imagine.

The question that I am often asked is, “How can I connect with God on such a deep level?” My answer is this: like any new relationship, it takes time for both parties to learn from one another. Trust is a crucial element in any relationship, and learning from each other is an excellent way to establish it. God recognizes that relationships aren’t instantaneously formed, but instead, they are built over time. While God has the power to control us, he chooses not to and, instead, allows us to make that decision ourselves.

God wants to demonstrate that he is trustworthy and reliable. As a loving parent, he doesn’t mind being the last resort because he understands that after you have exhausted all other avenues and turned to him, you will see the vitality of his words. By bringing scripture to life, God wants to show you his true essence. Although life’s challenges may have pushed him to the back burner, once you experience his power, you will want to make him your first option. After exploring all options, you will choose God and develop a lasting relationship that will never end. Serving God is a beautiful journey, and once experienced, you won’t ever want to turn back!

Sincerely,

Your Friend <3

A moment to reflect

And a certain woman, which had an issue of blood twelve years, And had suffered many things of many physicians, and had spent all that she had, and was nothing bettered, but rather grew worse, When she had heard of Jesus, came in the press behind, and touched his garment.

Mark 5:25-27

Have you ever heard the phrase “If you are desperate enough, you’ll try it?” At times, we may find ourselves in dire situations, struggling to find answers and solutions. Despite our best efforts, we may still come up empty-handed. In such moments of desperation, many of us turn to God. But have you ever pondered why God would let us go through such trying times? I myself have often questioned why God would allow me to explore specific avenues, knowing that they would ultimately lead to failure. In hindsight, however, it’s clear that God understood that I needed to experience failure and understand the limits of my own abilities in order to have faith in his guidance.

The woman with the issue of blood exemplifies determination but also demonstrates a healthy attitude toward curiosity and faith. Despite being ostracized by her entire community¹ and unable to engage with others, she refused to give up. She was once an active participant in her community, but now found herself alone, searching for answers. Despite trying every doctor and medication available, nothing seemed to provide her with the cure she desperately needed. Her situation was troublesome, and she found herself exploring all options but returning exhausted in her search.

Sometimes, the healing one needs cannot be provided by others. While suggestions can be offered, a permanent solution may never be reached. It is interesting that the Bible describes a woman based on her problems because this is a common experience. It is easy to view ourselves solely through the lens of our struggles and assume that others view us the same way. Perhaps you too feel like your issue has become your identity and that it absorbs your whole life, making you invisible to others. The woman with the issue of blood likely felt similarly and desired to be healed as a result.

She desired to be healed so much so that when she learned of Jesus coming her way, it was her spark of curiosity and superstition that led her to attempt to “only touch the hem of His garment.”² Although she may not have known what to expect, she had faith that if she could only reach him, she would finally find the healing she had been seeking.

The beautiful part of this story is that it acknowledges that prior to this event, there were no accounts of Jesus performing miracles by mere physical contact (His clothes).³ However, the woman in this story believed that touching his clothes could heal her, and acted on that belief. Her unwavering faith in Jesus’ healing powers made her whole. Despite her numerous disappointments and attempts to find relief elsewhere, she pushed through the crowd to finally experience what she had only heard about.

This story not only portrays someone who is determined and brave but also highlights an essential truth: when seeking God, He doesn’t see you as your problems. Instead, He invites you to have a position in His kingdom, and you are forever known as His daughter. (Refer to Mark 5:34 for more insight.) In a world that judges you by your problems, God sees your true identity. When you’re ready to press through the noise and experience the wonder of His love, God welcomes you with open arms. He recognizes your faith which in return makes you whole.

Daily Challenge

To build trust in your relationship with God, take the first step by reading and studying His Word. Reflect on a favorite scripture passage that speaks to you. Take some time to reflect on it today and consider how it can bring you comfort in your current situation. Remember, relationships take time to develop and grow.

1. Blue Letter Bible, ” David Guzik: Study Guide for Mark 5” accessed October 30, 2023, https://www.blueletterbible.org/comm/guzik_david/study-guide/mark/mark-5.cfm?a=962025 ↩︎
2. Blue Letter Bible, ” David Guzik: Study Guide for Mark 5” accessed October 30, 2023, https://www.blueletterbible.org/comm/guzik_david/study-guide/mark/mark-5.cfm?a=962025 ↩︎
3. Blue Letter Bible, ” David Guzik: Study Guide for Mark 5” accessed October 30, 2023, https://www.blueletterbible.org/comm/guzik_david/study-guide/mark/mark-5.cfm?a=962025  ↩︎