Good morning DearHeart.

Is it just me or has this year already dealt hard blows everywhere? So many of my friends and family and friends who are like family are taking hit after hit. And, with pain comes regret. What if’s? And, what now?

I woke up thinking about a woman who was absolutely desperate. She was done. She had been suffering with illness for so long that it became the only life she knew and it took its toll. Yet, she knew if she could just get to the Christ …

Instead of feeling regret over the “what if’s”, what would happen if we were to respond like this woman? Her “what IF” drove her to desperate measures. She was fresh out of

answers,

resources,

effort,

power

& ideas.

She was done.

Her “what IF” drove her to the Only One that could change her situation. She only wanted to touch the clothes of Jesus & believed she would then be healed.

Healed, as in

safe;

delivered;

made

whole;

preserved from danger,

loss or destruction.

Those things we all want.

Her situation caused her the loss of her everyday life. She was shamed out of society because she was unclean.

She could not socialize.

She could not be with family.

She could not have a husband

or children.

She was alone.

Lonely.

Desperate.

Physical and mental pain.

And, an amazing thing happened that day….

“Immediately her bleeding stopped and she felt in her body that she was freed from her suffering.” (Mark 5:29 NIV84).

Not only did she receive healing in her body (her bleeding stopped) but she was freed from her SUFFERING. For you see, sometimes our situations cause us to feel like we are held captive. We feel hopeless. We don’t see a way out. We are in inner turmoil. We feel that our circumstances will never change or be any different. May we remember that she received a freedom that day. A relief from both the physical ailment & the mental & emotional pain she had endured. She was free.

May we be desperate for Him in the midst of our situations.

May we be driven to get out of our heads and with everything in us be pulled in and held by spirit knowing

“For those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit set their minds on the things of the Spirit. For to set the mind on the flesh is death, but to set the mind on the Spirit is life and peace.” (Romans 8:5-6 ESV)

“Out of the depths I cry out to you, O Lord; O Lord, hear my voice. Let your ears be attentive to my cry for mercy.” (Psalm 130:1 NIV84).

Wake up.

The end to your suffering is near.

Look for Him.

Touch Him.

Go.