I’m not sure what to say or do. I don’t want to make things worse. But I feel God is calling me to get on a plane. In moments like this, friends show up, so that’s what I’m doing. I’ll arrive a few days early to offer support, run errands, or simply be there to sit with her. I’m trusting God to guide me in doing the right things.
It brings to mind the story of Job in the scriptures. When he was enduring intense trials—grieving the loss of loved ones, suffering from illness, and in excruciating pain—his friends arrived and sat with him in silence for days. They didn’t speak because they understood that his suffering was too deep for words.
Sometimes, when words fail, simply showing up with a faithful heart is enough. God will take care of the rest. Some of my favorite Bible stories are about people who showed up, and the results were nothing short of miraculous. Answering God’s call and showing up, even when you don’t know what will happen or how He will use you, is an act of faith.
The woman with the issue of blood is one of those narratives. For twelve years, she had endured this condition, spending all her money on doctors, but nothing helped. Desperate and terrified, she felt this was her last chance. Sometimes, desperation drives us to act boldly, and she knew that if she could just touch Jesus' clothes, she would be healed.
She showed up just as Jesus was on His way to perform another miracle. That was fine with her—she didn’t want to stop Him or draw any attention. She wasn’t interested in making a spectacle; she just wanted to be healed. With determination, she pushed her way through the crowd, and when she was close enough, she saw her chance. As God would have it, she reached out and touched the edge of His cloak. In that moment, her suffering ended, and her life was forever changed.
The interaction stopped Jesus in his tracks. The crowds were pressing in on Him from all sides. In fact, when Jesus turned around to look for the woman—whom He called daughter—it was difficult to spot her in the sea of people. Yet, He knew that someone had touched Him, and He was determined to find her. The disciples, however, couldn't understand why Jesus was searching for someone who had touched Him—after all, everyone was touching Him!
Even though others in the crowd were touching Him, they weren’t doing so out of faith. They were there for different reasons. Perhaps they wanted to see if He was real, to find out if the stories were true. Some were likely hoping for a good show, as miracles can be quite entertaining.
But, she knew. She knew He was the Messiah, and she knew He could heal her. After trying everything else, she wasn’t there out of curiosity. She was there because she desperately needed a touch from her Savior, no matter how small. Her faith drew His healing power, prompting Him to seek her out. Jesus recognized the touch of His child, the touch of a faithful woman who needed Him. He felt the healing leave His body the moment she touched His cloak. Her deeply personal struggle required His deeply personal healing.
The Bible records His words to her once she made herself known in the crowd.
Mark 5:34 He said to her, “Daughter, your faith has healed you. Go in peace and be freed from your suffering.”
Jesus wasn’t satisfied with a mere impersonal encounter. While touching His cloak healed her body, God’s love seeks to heal the heart and soul. He didn’t have to call her out of the crowd. After all, He was on His way to perform an even greater miracle. But He did because He wanted her to know she was His daughter.
He knew her name and where she was in the crowd, but He needed her to understand that she wasn’t just another face in the crowd. She was His child, His daughter. Not only did He heal her body, but He also gave her a new identity: Daughter of the King. She walked into the crowd an outcast, but left as a princess—healed in ways she hadn’t even hoped for.
Not only did Jesus give her an identity, but He did so in front of the crowd, ensuring they knew she was His daughter. Remember, a condition like hers meant she was shunned from society and considered ceremonially unclean. According to the law, she couldn’t touch anyone during her bleeding, nor for a week afterward. And since her condition had lasted for twelve years, her life was marked by shame and loneliness. But all of that changed with one encounter. In front of the crowd, her Savior declared her healed, claimed her as His daughter, and ended her suffering.
Isn't amazing to think about what God does for his daughters who show up with a faithful heart?
Abraham showed up, too. He was living a comfortable life—successful, surrounded by friends and family, much like we all hope for. Then God called him to go somewhere new, somewhere different. And here’s the kicker: God didn’t even tell him where he was going! Could you do that? I can say with confidence that I probably wouldn’t have been able to.
Abraham experienced miracle after miracle because of his obedience. In hindsight, I’m sure he wouldn’t have wanted it any other way. The devil’s goal is always to derail us from God’s plans, using anything he can—fear, distraction, sin, addiction, and in Abraham’s case, even familial ties. But the act of showing up with faith, no matter how uncertain the circumstances, can lead to profound transformation.
Just as the woman with the issue of blood was healed by her bold step of faith, and just as Abraham received God’s blessings through his obedience, we too can experience the power of God's intervention when we respond to His call. It’s not always about having the right words or understanding the entire plan, but about trusting that when we show up with a faithful heart, God will take care of the rest. .
I sat next to my friend at dinner after her husband’s funeral. We talked about everything and nothing all at once. The past few days had been a whirlwind of decisions and planning for her, and I could tell she was still in shock. At times, the conversation fell quiet, and things even got a bit awkward. I thought of Job's friends and simply sat in silence with her.
As everyone started to leave, I said my goodbyes. I told her I loved her and that I’d do anything for her. I couldn’t think of much else to say, but after spending the past three days together, she knew my heart.
She wrapped me in a huge hug, and through her tears, she whispered, 'Thank you for being there.'
I drove away with a grateful heart. My act of faith was small in comparison to the heroes of the Bible. But, I was so glad I decided to listen to God and show up for my friend. We may not always know what lies ahead, but as we place our trust in God, He will guide us, heal us, and transform us into something far greater than we could imagine.
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