Following Jesus When You DoubtSýnishorn

Devotion

We talked in this session about “the pause” . . . that moment right after you hear the bad news. Your loved one is sick. You didn’t get the part. You’re being laid off. Heavy moments in which you are trying to process some devastating news. A moment that Jairus experience when a servant told him, “Your daughter is dead . . . Why bother the teacher anymore?” (Mark 5:35).

This tends to be our reaction in the pause—to give up and stop trying. But it’s in the pause that Jesus springs to action: “Overhearing what they said, Jesus told him, ‘Don’t be afraid; just believe’” (verse 36). What did Jairus think of this? Perhaps he hardly heard Jesus, as he was running back home to see if the news was true. Perhaps he was frozen in disbelief and Jesus’ words simply reverberated in his head. Or maybe . . . he felt comforted. Maybe these words uttered by the divine gave him a glimmer of hope. Perhaps he trusted Christ.

We don’t know how Jairus felt about Jesus’ words. But we know what he didn’t do. He didn’t deny Jesus entry into his home or prevent Jesus from seeing his daughter. He allowed Jesus to return with him, and because of this, Jesus was able to prove that he cared about his daughter, that he could heal his daughter, and that he would heal her. This doesn’t always happen in our stories. Our pauses do not always turn into rejoicing. But that doesn’t mean that Jesus isn’t still with us, comforting us and whispering, “Don’t be afraid; just believe.”

Reflect

1.The apostle Paul had seen his share of suffering. In other places in this letter, he talks about being persecuted for his faith and dealing with a “thorn” in his side—some type of physical, spiritual, or emotional affliction (or something else entirely) that kept tormenting him (see 12:7). His message to the church on comfort and suffering was counter to the philosophy of the day that taught people should ignore their pain. What connection does Paul make between comfort and suffering in this passage?

2.Paul encourages the believers with his reassurance that God “comforts us in all our troubles” (verse 4). However, this is not just for our own benefit. What does Paul say we should do when we are comforted? How does this strengthen the body of Christ?

3.Paul says that his sufferings and distress serve a purpose. “If we are distressed, it is for your comfort and salvation; if we are comforted, it is for your comfort, which produces in you patient endurance of the same sufferings we suffer” (verse 6). What do you think enabled Paul to view his trials and struggles in this way?

4.Think about the trials you are facing. Where do you need Jesus’ comfort today? How could his words—“don’t be afraid; just believe”—apply in that situation?

Pray

Ask God for comfort, however you need it. Ask him to help you believe. Ask him to help you not be afraid. Feel comforted by Christ’s words today.