How can we prioritize faith when facing life's pressing challenges, like Jairus? Setting the Scene “because his only daughter, about twelve years old, was dying. As Jesus was on His way, the crowds almost crushed Him.” (Luke 8:42) Jairus, a synagogue ruler, is desperate. His little girl hovers between life and death, yet he chooses to seek Jesus first—literally pushing through the crowd to reach Him. That single choice models how to prioritize faith when every second seems critical. What Jairus Teaches Us About First Things First • He comes straight to Jesus—no delay, no delegation, no secondary plan (Luke 8:41). • He falls at Jesus’ feet, acknowledging Christ’s authority over the crisis. • He verbalizes a clear, faith-filled request: “Come… heal her, and she will live” (Mark 5:23). Faith speaks what it expects God to do. • He stays with Jesus, even when the journey slows and an unexpected interruption—the woman with the issue of blood—occurs. • He refuses to abandon hope when messengers announce his daughter’s death (Luke 8:49). Jesus immediately counters: “Do not be afraid; only believe, and she will be healed.” (Luke 8:50). Steps for Prioritizing Faith in Our Crises 1. Seek Christ first, not last. “But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.” (Matthew 6:33). 2. Bow—recognize His authority. Psalm 46:1 reminds us He is “a very present help in trouble.” 3. Speak faith. Romans 10:17 links faith to hearing the Word; confess what Scripture says over the situation. 4. Walk with Him through delays. God-ordained pauses often strengthen faith (James 1:2-3). 5. Silence fear. Take Jesus’ words to Jairus as your own: “Do not be afraid; only believe.” 6. Guard the room. Jesus allowed only Peter, James, John, and the parents inside (Luke 8:51); remove voices that drain faith. 7. Expect resurrection power. “Jesus took her by the hand and called out, ‘Child, arise!’” (Luke 8:54). What looks final to us is never final to Him. Supporting Passages That Echo the Same Call • Hebrews 11:1—faith is substance and evidence, not wishful thinking. • Proverbs 3:5-6—trust and acknowledge Him; He makes paths straight. • Philippians 4:6-7—prayer replaces anxiety with peace. • 1 Peter 5:7—cast every care on Him; He cares for you. • Isaiah 26:3—perfect peace comes to the mind stayed on the Lord. Practical Ways to Keep Faith at the Forefront • Begin every day in the Word before addressing the crisis updates. • Memorize key promises; repeat them aloud when fear knocks. • Surround yourself with believers who speak life, not doom. • Keep a journal of past deliverances; remembrance fuels present trust. • Act in obedience to any clear prompting—faith is proved by steps, not feelings. • Limit exposure to voices that magnify the problem over the Savior. • Celebrate small evidences of God at work, just as the woman’s healing on the way to Jairus’ house testified to Jesus’ present power. Why Faith Must Lead Faith isn’t denial of reality; it is confidence in the greater reality of God’s Word. Jairus faced grim facts—a dying, then dead, daughter. Yet because he put Jesus first, he witnessed resurrection life where others saw only an ending. When we follow the same order—seek, bow, speak, walk, guard, and expect—Christ’s authority over every crisis becomes the headline of our story, too. |
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