Pain That Drives Us to Jesus

THIS WEEK’S BOLD STEP DEVOTION

“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.’”
(Mark 5:27–28)

Kicking a horse, or more accurately, giving it a light tap with your heels, is a way to encourage the horse to move forward or increase its speed. Horses are trained to respond to various cues from their riders, and the nudge or light kick is one of those cues.

Just like a horse responds to a light kick to move forward, pain can serve as a catalyst in our lives that urges us to act—often faster than we might otherwise. Pain, whether emotional, physical, or spiritual, creates a sense of urgency in our hearts and minds. It compels us to make a choice: will we allow it to push us toward God for healing and comfort, or will we run away in fear, anger, or confusion?

In Mark 5, we read about a woman who had been suffering for 12 years with a bleeding condition. Her pain was not only physical but emotional as well. According to Jewish law, she was isolated, unable to join communal worship or social gatherings. Having spent all her money on doctors with no relief, her suffering was compounded by loneliness and hopelessness.

But despite the pain, something shifted in her heart. When she heard about Jesus, she responded in faith. “When she heard about Jesus, she came up behind him in the crowd and touched his cloak” (Mark 5:27). This woman didn’t run away from Jesus in her pain; she ran toward Him. And in that moment, Jesus responded. Her faith, even in the smallest form, was enough for her healing.

In our lives, pain has the potential to either push us away from God or draw us closer. Many people today are running from the pain, running from God, and running from the truth. If that’s you, remember that your pain doesn’t have to drive you away from Jesus. Faith is often birthed in moments of desperation. You don’t need to have everything figured out, but just as this woman believed that a simple touch could heal her, you can reach out to Jesus in faith.

You are not too broken, too ashamed, or too far gone for His touch.

Listen to the sermon: Pain That Is Wrapped in Shame

Part 1Part 2

Ministry Update from Mark

I’m excited to share that my book Unstuck: Out of Your Cave into Your Call is now available in Spanish! The book is an urgent call for all those who are exhausted from living a stagnant life. It’s time to break free from the chains that lock us in the cave and step into a future filled with purpose and God’s presence.

If Spanish is your first language or the language of someone you know, pick up a copy today at moodypublishers.com.