Just Believe

I’ve been in a total funk, spiritually. I mentioned that one of our friends died last month, and I guess that was just the last…

I’ve been in a total funk, spiritually. I mentioned that one of our friends died last month, and I guess that was just the last straw. On top of all the other stuff we’ve dealt with this year, it was too much. I didn’t understand. And I was mad. One night Anderson and I were talking in the car about praying, and I just abruptly said, (yelled?) “What’s the point?” He was like, “Whaaaaat?” And I said, “What’s the point in any of this? Why do we pray if it doesn’t change anything?” That’s when I realized that bitterness was starting to creep into my heart. It happened fast. And even though I was in a bad place spiritually I didn’t want that bitterness to grow any more. But I didn’t know how to stop it either. I had still been reading my Bible and praying (halfheartedly) during all of this, and that certainly wasn’t helping. So I decided to fast. I know you’re not supposed to talk about fasting (because it can be taken as bragging or whatever), but I figure since I’m not doing it anymore and since I share enough for you to know I’m no super-Christian, it’s okay. 🙂

My faith was completely rocked. More than it’s ever been. This certainly wasn’t the first hard time in my life. Not even the first trial I’d dealt with this year! But it was the first time I’d felt such a strong desire to unceasingly cry out to God on someone else’s behalf. To plead with him on my knees for my friend. So I just felt cheated when he died. Like God had let down so many people. He didn’t answer my desperate cries the way I wanted him to. I know that eternity in Heaven is incomparable to life on this earth. I get it. But it’s hard to grasp the idea of eternity while living with the realities of this world. The reality of two little girls who don’t have a dad anymore. And a young wife and mother who now wears the title, “widow.”

None of it made sense. And I wanted God to explain himself. To say something. Anything. I knew He didn’t have to, but I asked him to please speak to me while I fasted. To remind me. I needed to remember. I was hoping He’d write on a wall or something. He’s done it before! I mean I was actually in the bathroom one day staring at the wall and thought, “Hmm. It would be really cool if God just wrote a message up there right now.” (I blame the lack of nutrients I was consuming at the time.) He didn’t write on the wall or in the sky or send me a text; but he did remind me.

One day I was reading Mark 5:22-43. I’ve been border-line obsessed with this passage ever since I found out about my brain tumor. It’s about Jesus bringing a dead girl back to life. Three of the gospels talk about it, but I like Mark’s account best!

Then one of the synagogue leaders, named Jairus, came, and when he saw Jesus, he fell at his feet. He pleaded earnestly with him, “My little daughter is dying. Please come and put your hands on her so that she will be healed and live.” So Jesus went with him.

A large crowd followed and pressed around him. And a woman was there who had been subject to bleeding for twelve years. She had suffered a great deal under the care of many doctors and had spent all she had, yet instead of getting better she grew worse. When she heard about Jesus, she came up behind him in the crowd and touched his cloak, because she thought, “If I just touch his clothes, I will be healed.” Immediately her bleeding stopped and she felt in her body that she was freed from her suffering.

At once Jesus realized that power had gone out from him. He turned around in the crowd and asked, “Who touched my clothes?”

“You see the people crowding against you,” his disciples answered, “and yet you can ask, ‘Who touched me?’ ”

But Jesus kept looking around to see who had done it. Then the woman, knowing what had happened to her, came and fell at his feet and, trembling with fear, told him the whole truth. He said to her, “Daughter, your faith has healed you. Go in peace and be freed from your suffering.”

While Jesus was still speaking, some people came from the house of Jairus, the synagogue leader. “Your daughter is dead,” they said. “Why bother the teacher anymore?”

Overhearing what they said, Jesus told him, “Don’t be afraid; just believe.”

He did not let anyone follow him except Peter, James and John the brother of James. When they came to the home of the synagogue leader, Jesus saw a commotion, with people crying and wailing loudly. He went in and said to them, “Why all this commotion and wailing? The child is not dead but asleep.” But they laughed at him.

After he put them all out, he took the child’s father and mother and the disciples who were with him, and went in where the child was. He took her by the hand and said to her, “Talitha koum!” (which means “Little girl, I say to you, get up!”). Immediately the girl stood up and began to walk around (she was twelve years old). At this they were completely astonished. He gave strict orders not to let anyone know about this, and told them to give her something to eat.

I’ve read this story many times over the last few months, and felt so encouraged by the fact that Jesus healed Jairus’ daughter. Encouraged, because He can do anything; if it’s part of His plan. But while I was fasting God showed me something different. Not the part about the girl being healed, but what Jesus said to her father. Jairus had gone to Jesus and pleaded on behalf of his daughter. He asked Jesus to heal her. He believed. But while they were headed back to his home, some friends came and told him his daughter was dead. Jesus had to have seen the despair in Jairus’ eyes. The disappointment. He knew Jesus could heal her, so why did He let her die? Why didn’t He answer his request the way he wanted? Then Jesus looked at him and simply said, “Don’t be afraid. Just believe.” Just believe that I know what’s about to happen. Just believe that I know the WHOLE story. Just believe that my plan is perfect. Just believe that I love you.

That’s all you need.

Just believe.

405 comments

  1. this is good. real good. god is good in showing us different things that we sometimes miss in such a ‘common’ story. just believe. it’s so easy, yet so so so so hard. but we make it hard. there are things i struggle with too but i just have to trust. easier said than done, just like the believing. and so exhausting at times when you have that battle going on in your head. sometimes i just have to stop and pray outloud, tears streaming down my face. it’s that verbal confession, that i need him, that gets me back on track.

    love you girl. love your honesty!

  2. oh, how i love your blog…your honesty…your transparency. i think sometimes as believers, we have a hard time admitting out loud that we are angry and/or bitter at our creator, but sometimes that is the reality. it’s not like he doesn’t already know that we are thinking and feeling that way. 🙂 sometimes we just need to verbalize it and acknowledge it so we can let him do something about it…and heal our heart. during my first…and second miscarriages, i laid face down on the floor, sobbing my heart out, begging and pleading with god to save my babies. And, in the end, he didn’t. i was bitter and angry for a very long time. I knew in my mind, “he works all things together for good”, but my heart had a hard time believing that. recently, my grandmother was diagnosed with cancer. we watched her struggle and suffer for so very long. our prayers changed from “please heal her” to “please god, end her suffering and take her home”. she continued to suffer, struggle and decline for a year before she was called home. that was over a year ago. i still struggle with why she had to suffer so much and so long. i still have issues with trust and faith, but we are working on that. 🙂 day by day, my friend! will be praying for you! 🙂

    rachel

  3. Thank you for this post. A little 7 yr old drowned 2 wks ago and a friend just passed away from pancreatic cancer leaving behind a 12 yr old who lost his dad 7 yrs ago & his only brother 2 yrs ago so my heart has been heavy like yours. I appreciate you writing this. It’s a good reminder to BELIEVE and I will certainly lift you up in prayer as well. Thanks again!

  4. You look pensive in the photograph, Lyndsay. You’re not good at hiding your sadness, sweet girl. I continue to hold you up in prayer because you are important to me.

  5. I have been through a very similar situation with our precious friends. We prayed, BELIEVING!, claiming scripture and fully believing that God would heal him…within 5 months he was gone, his precious wife and 4 children left to go on without him. The struggles, faith/doubt is all so surreal. In my head AND heart I knew better. The pain just overwhelmed me. When I was almost 21 I lost my husband of just 22 months. Your precious grandpa met me at my parents’ house and told me that God was not intimidated by the grief process that I would go through. God could handle all the “why’s” I would have. Just rest in Him Vicki, and know that whichever of us gets to heaven first can ask the Lord these questions. Dr. Lindsay got that understanding first but I know that from my history with the Lord, HE IS FAITHFUL! Even when I don’t understand! Even when people say really hurtful things and quote scripture that doesn’t fit or help our hearts at all. What a great passage of scripture to rest in. Just believe. I am praying for you Lyndsay! May God give you the breath to breathe right as you need it, bear your pain at just the right point, and comfort and strengthen your heart for HIS glory. Until we see him face to face, Just believe.

    1. Vicki, WOW! I can’t even imagine what you went through. It’s so true though that God can handle every emotion we experience. He’s big enough! Thank you for sharing that with me. 🙂

  6. Thank you so much for this post. It has been a rough year, as well, for us and I also felt like I had been punched in the gut when God called such a wonderful man home. I did not know him as well as you, but his personality was infectious and my Katie was so excited about moving to the middle school group. I have been very “half-hearted” in my faith over the past couple of months; thank you so much for the reminder that our God is in control and knows how the story will unfold and end. Beautifully put! 🙂

  7. Lindsay, that is such a precious reminder of what is most important. Just believe. Thanks you for sharing this. Love you.

  8. Punk,you are learning some tough, but good, lessons very early in life. I wish there were easier ways for us to learn what it means to know abandonment to the perfect plan of God. It seems that we only learn this through times of absolute desperation. David expressed the same things you(and I)feel in many of the Psalms (the whys, the anger,the bitterness,the frustrations of not understanding, etc.) and God described him as “a man with His heart.” He is giving you His heart – making you just like Him. I am soooo proud of you and I love you!

  9. I lost my husband of 7 years while I was pregnant almost 2 years ago now. I have been yelling at God a lot lately. I don’t know what the plan is but I find myself fighting to hold on to my faith. I hope I can learn to rest and just believe. Glad to know others fight the same struggle against disbelief. Lord, help me in my unbelief.

    1. Abigail, I’m so sorry. That’s something that I just can’t even imagine going though. When I read this I prayed for you. He’s big enough. And I think he wants us to be honest with him! He can handle it. Don’t give up on your faith!!

  10. God is so wonderfully gentle with us. I love that He brought that passage to life for you in such a personal timely way. Thanks for sharing. p.s. Your blog and family are beautiful!

  11. “Just believe that I know what’s about to happen. Just believe that I know the WHOLE story. Just believe that my plan is perfect. Just believe that I love you. Just believe.”

    I wrote this the chalkboard in my dining room. I needed it. Sometimes I get angry whabout being 29 and single or having a job I don’t really like and no forseeable way out. I needed every word of this. Thanks for sharing. I’m really glad God connected us.

  12. it’s difficult to be spiritually in tune ALL the time. we all stray, doubt, question. it is natural. such a good thought to just believe- to step out in faith when we cant understand or are having a hard time feeling connected. i walk through these valleys sometimes, too. you are strong, it comes through in your writing.

  13. Sweet, sweet Lyndsay, I have just today found your blog and it is so touching! You are a gifted writer! Keep writing and always remember James 4:8 ” Draw near to God and He will draw near to you.” There is nothing like going through life especially the hard stuff with The Lord right by your side! His peace covers you like the softest, warmest blanket you could imagine and to experience Him speaking to you through His Word directly after asking something of Him is an experience like no other. I never cease to be amazed at how much my Lord cares for me and hears me when I cry out to Him! I pray for you going through a brain tumor. I know some of what you are going through having been diagnosed with a pituitary tumor when I was in college and Multiple Sclerosis when my boys were just 3 and 4. I believe God healed me of the tumor but He chose not to heal my MS. I thank Him for it all because it helps me understand whole heartedly with those like you who are going through so many unanswered questions. Also if I hadn’t gone through what I have I would never know my Lord in the intimate way I do today and THAT I wouldn’t trade for anything in the world. Keep calling out to Him; you will grow nearer and stronger every time you do. I always knew there was something extra special about you since the day we met. You are so real and a true diamond in the rough. Although the chiseling may hurt with every chip that falls your light shines brighter for all to admire! Keep believing! Love you!

  14. Lindsay, God leads me to your blog about once a week and pours blessing on me through you. I have MS and it seems like such a struggle each day but I am reminded through your blog about how blessed I am. In my prayers I ask that I can be so thankful for the things I can do and not concentrate on the things I can not do! God will provide! Thanks again for God’s words I hear through you!!

  15. Hello! Would you mind if I share your blog with my twitter group?There’s a lot of people that I think would really appreciate your content.Please let me know. Thank youFeel free to visit my blog post: fat loss diet

  16. Hi there, I check your new stuff on a regular basis. Yourwriting style is awesome, keep doing what you’re doing!

  17. A few months reviews on celexa G4S rose 3.5 percent, a top riser, after a newswirereport that British private equity group Charterhouse CapitalPartners was considering a 1 billion pound ($1.6 billion) offerfor G4S’s cash solutions business.

  18. — A North Carolina woman who purchased her Powerball ticket aswell late for last Wednesday’s drawing realized she certifiedin a lot of time to win $two million in Saturday’sdrawing.

  19. You truly would more than visitors’ objectives. Thank you for object rendering these helpful, trusted, edifying and also cool feelings on the topic to be able to Kate.

  20. I am really impressed with your writing skills as well as with the layout on your blog.Is this a paid theme or did you modify it yourself? Either way keep up thenice quality writing, it’s rare to see a great blog like this one today.

  21. Hello my loved one! I wish to say that this post is awesome,nice written and include almost all important infos. I would like to look more posts like this .

  22. I do not even know the way I ended up right here,but I believed this post was once good. Idon’t recognise who you are but definitely you are going to a famous blogger for those who aren’t already.Cheers!

  23. I needed to thank you for this great read!! I absolutely loved every littlebit of it. I’ve got you saved as a favorite tocheck out new things you post…

  24. I will right away snatch your rss as I can not in finding your e-mail subscription hyperlink or newsletter service.Do you have any? Kindly let me recognize in order that I may subscribe.Thanks.

  25. Mariobet, dünyan?n önde gelen çevrimiçi spor bahis platformudur. 5 y?l? a?k?n süredir hizmet vermektedir. Mariobet, en sevdi?iniz spor etkinliklerine bahis .

  26. Aw, this was an exceptionally good post. Taking the time and actual effort to produce a top notch article… but what can I say… I procrastinate a whole lot and don’t seem to get nearly anything done.

  27. Hi there, just became aware of your blog through Google, and foundthat it’s truly informative. I’m going to watch out for brussels.I’ll be grateful if you continue this in future.A lot of people will be benefited from your writing.Cheers!

  28. A motivating discussion is definitely worth comment. I do believe that you ought to publish more about this issue, it might not be a taboo matter but typically folks don’t discuss these topics. To the next! Cheers!!

  29. ????????????????????????????????? ?????????????????????????????????????????????????? UFABET ??????????????????????????????????????????????????? ????????????? ????????? ??????????????????????????????????

  30. Hi just wanted to give you a quick heads up and let you know a fewof the images aren’t loading correctly. I’m not sure whybut I think its a linking issue. I’ve tried it in two different internet browsers and both show the same results.

  31. I’ll right away seize your rss as I can’t to find youre-mail subscription hyperlink or newsletter service. Do you have any?Please permit me realize so that I may just subscribe.Thanks.

  32. When someone writes an piece of writing he/she retains the image of a user in his/her mind that how a user can beaware of it. So that’s why this paragraph is great. Thanks!

  33. Hi! I just wanted to ask if you ever have any issues with hackers? My last blog (wordpress) was hacked and I ended up losing many months of hard work due to no back up. Do you have any methods to prevent hackers?

  34. 308156 250869Hi, you used to write superb articles, but the last several posts have been kinda lackluster I miss your super writing. Past few posts are just just a little out of track! 794029

  35. Get trained on data science course in hyderabad by real-time industry experts and excel your career with Data Science training by Technology for all. #1 online training institute for Data Science.

  36. Hey There. I found your blog using msn. That is an extremely neatly written article.I will be sure to bookmark it and come back tolearn extra of your useful info. Thank you for the post.I’ll certainly return.

  37. What are you saying, man? I realize everyones got their own opinion, but really? Listen, your blog is awesome. I like the energy you put into it, specially with the vids and the pics. But, come on. Theres gotta be a better way to say this, a way that doesnt make it seem like everybody here is stupid!

  38. Mua Gi?y Bóng R?thvl1 hplusL?n ??u tiên ra m?t thì giày Jordan 1 có màu ??, white và ?en ph?i cùng v?i nhau. V?i upper m?ng nh? nhõm và ?? b?n h?n cùng b? ??m l?y tr?c ti?p t? Crazylight Boost 2016, t?m th?i Rose 8 c?ng vô cùng ?áng nh?m th?.

  39. Hmm is anyone else having problems with the images on this blog loading?I’m trying to find out if its a problem on myend or if it’s the blog. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

  40. Aw, this was an incredibly good post. Taking a few minutes and actual effort to produce a superb articleĂ– but what can I sayĂ– I hesitate a lot and never manage to get nearly anything done.

  41. excellent post, very informative. I wonder why the other experts of this sector don’t notice this. You must continue your writing. I am sure, you’ve a great readers’ base already!

  42. This is a great tip particularly to those fresh to the blogosphere. Short but very accurate informationĂ– Many thanks for sharing this one. A must read article!

  43. An interesting discussion is worth comment. There’s no doubt that that you should publish more on this issue, it might not be a taboo matter but typically people do not speak about these topics. To the next! Cheers!!

  44. It is really a great and useful piece of info.I’m satisfied that you simply shared this useful information with us.Please keep us informed like this. Thank you for sharing.

  45. I do not e?en knolw how I ended up here, but I thought thi? post wass g?od.I do not kno? who you are but certainly you’re going to a famous blogg?riff you are not already ? Che?rs!Have a look at my we? blo? :: periksa url Anda

  46. A motivating discussion is worth comment. I do think that you ought to publish more about this topic, it may not be a taboo subject but generally people don’t discuss these subjects. To the next! Kind regards!!

  47. I really like your writing style, wonderful information, thanks for posting :D. “In university they don’t tell you that the greater part of the law is learning to tolerate fools.” by Doris Lessing.

  48. Thank you for another fantastic post. Where else could anybody get that type of information in such an ideal way of writing? I ave a presentation next week, and I am on the look for such information.

  49. Hey there! I know this is somewhat off topic but I was wonderingif you knew where I could get a captcha plugin for my comment form?I’m using the same blog platform as yours and I’m having problemsfinding one? Thanks a lot!

  50. Thanks for any other informative blog. The place else may I get that type of information written in such an ideal means? I’ve a venture that I’m just now working on, and I’ve been on the glance out for such info.

  51. Hello there! I know this is kind of off topic but I was wondering if youknew where I could get a captcha plugin for my comment form?I’m using the same blog platform as yours and I’m having troublefinding one? Thanks a lot!

  52. Howdy! Do you know if they make any plugins to assist with Search Engine Optimization? I’m trying to get my blog to rank for some targeted keywords but I’m not seeing very good success. If you know of any please share. Cheers!

  53. Wow that was strange. I just wrote an extremely long comment but after I clicked submit my comment didn’t show up. Grrrr… well I’m not writing all that over again. Anyhow, just wanted to say fantastic blog!

  54. Hmm is anyone else having problems with the pictureson this blog loading? I’m trying to find out if its a problem on myend or if it’s the blog. Any responses would be greatly appreciated.

  55. Coi Th?ng Viettel Vs Bình D??ng Trên V League 2021 ? Kênh Nào? kumo desu ga nani ka light novel vietsub??i tuy?n n??c ta ch? c?n m?t k?t qu? hòa có bàn th?ng nh?m l?n th? hai góp m?t trên World Cup futsal. Nh?ng, nh?m làm ???c nh? v?y

  56. Thanks for any other fantastic post. Where else may just anyone get thattype of information in such a perfect manner of writing?I’ve a presentation next week, and I’m at the look for such info.

  57. I’m now not certain the place you are getting your information, however good topic. I needs to spend a while studying much more or working out more. Thank you for great information I used to be on the lookout for this info for my mission.

  58. What’s Happening i’m new to this, I stumbled upon this I have found It absolutelyhelpful and it has helped me out loads. I hope to contribute & helpdifferent customers like its aided me. Great job.

  59. I don’t even know the way I ended up here, but I believed this put up was once great. I do not realize who you’re but definitely you are going to a famous blogger if you happen to aren’t already ? Cheers!

  60. Everyone loves what you guys tend to be up too. This type of clever workand exposure! Keep up the excellent works guys I’ve added you guys to my own blogroll.

  61. Very good written article. It will be valuable to anyone who employess it, as well as myself. Keep up the good work – can’r wait to read more posts.

  62. I blog quite often and I genuinely appreciate your information. This great article has truly peaked my interest. I’m going to take a note of your blog and keep checking for new details about once a week. I subscribed to your RSS feed too.

  63. Hi! Would you mind if I share your blog with my twitter group?There’s a lot of people that I think would really appreciate your content.Please let me know. Cheers

  64. It is really a nice and useful piece of info. I’m happy that you just shared this helpful information with us. Please keep us informed like this. Thanks for sharing.

  65. I don’t even know how I ended up here, but I thought this post was great.I do not know who you are but definitely you’re goingto a famous blogger if you are not already ? Cheers!

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *