Shifting from Self to Savior

When she heard about Jesus, she came behind Him in the crowd and touched His garment. For she said, “If only I may touch His clothes, I shall be made well.” Immediately the fountain of her blood was dried up, and she felt in her body that she was healed of the affliction. And Jesus, immediately knowing in Himself that power had gone out of Him, turned around in the crowd and said, “Who touched My clothes?” . . . But the woman, fearing and trembling, knowing what had happened to her, came and fell down before Him and told Him the whole truth. And He said to her, “Daughter, your faith has made you well. Go in peace, and be healed of your affliction.”

Mark 5:27–34

Hey everyone, fellow travelers on this journey of faith! I was pondering something the other day, a thought that I’m sure has crossed many of our minds at some point: “I don’t think I have enough faith to be healed.” It’s a vulnerable feeling, that sense of inadequacy, especially when we’re facing challenges, whether physical, emotional, or spiritual. We might find ourselves questioning our worthiness, our connection to God, and whether we truly deserve His grace. I know I have.

But then I remembered a beautiful passage, a gentle reminder that shifts our focus from ourselves and onto the boundless grace of our Lord. It says, “My friend, it’s not for you to see how much faith you have. That’s God’s department. All you need to do is simply see how gracious God is toward you.” Isn’t that just so freeing? It takes the pressure off, the self-imposed measuring stick we often use to judge our faith. It reminds us that faith isn’t about our performance, our perfect track record, or the sheer volume of our belief. It’s about recognizing the immensity of God’s love and grace towards each and every one of us.

Think about it. How often do we get caught up in analyzing our faith? We dissect it, measure it, compare it to others, and often come up short. We start questioning if we are praying right, if we are reading the Bible enough, if we are doing enough good deeds. We get so caught up in the doing that we forget the being – being in the presence of a loving God who desires a relationship with us, not a perfect performance.

The passage goes on to illustrate this beautifully with the story of the woman with the issue of blood. She didn’t go around proclaiming, “I must have faith! I must have faith!” She wasn’t focused on the quantity of her faith. Her focus was on Jesus. She was conscious of His goodness, His compassion, and His power to heal. She had heard stories, perhaps whispered in hushed tones, of His miracles, His kindness toward the sick and oppressed, how He healed all who came to Him. Imagine the impact of those stories! They weren’t just tales; they were testimonies of God’s love in action. They painted a picture of a Savior who wasn’t distant and judgmental but close and compassionate.

This woman, she didn’t have a checklist of faith requirements. She simply saw Jesus in His grace. She recognized Him for who He was – the Messiah, the healer, the source of all hope. And in that recognition, her faith, however big or small it might have seemed to her, connected with His power. Jesus, in turn, saw her faith and affirmed it: “Daughter, your faith has made you well.”

This story is so powerful because it simplifies faith. It strips away the complexities and the self-doubt and reveals the core truth: faith is about connecting with Jesus and recognizing His grace. It’s not about our strength; it’s about His. It’s not about our worthiness; it’s about His immeasurable love. It’s not about our performance; it’s about His perfect sacrifice.

The key here is seeing Jesus in His grace. How do we do that? Just like the woman with the issue of blood, we hear about Him. We immerse ourselves in the stories of His life, His teachings, His miracles. We read the Gospels and witness His compassion firsthand. We study the Old Testament and see how He was foreshadowed and promised. We spend time in prayer, talking to Him, listening for His still, small voice. We connect with other believers, sharing our experiences and learning from their journeys.

And as we learn, as we listen, as we connect, we begin to see Jesus more clearly. We see His love in action. We see His forgiveness extended. We see His healing touch. And as we see Him, our faith grows, not because we’re trying harder, but because we’re experiencing His grace more deeply.

Think about the implications of this. If healing, whether physical, emotional, or spiritual, is tied to the recognition of God’s grace, then our focus shifts. We stop agonizing over the amount of faith we have and start focusing on the source of our faith – Jesus Christ. We begin to see that He healed all without qualification. This is crucial. It wasn’t just a select few, the “most faithful” or the “most deserving.” His grace was available to everyone who came to Him.

This understanding changes everything. It removes the barriers we often put up ourselves. We stop thinking, “I’m not good enough,” or “I don’t deserve it.” Instead, we approach God with humility and openness, recognizing our need for His grace and trusting in His goodness.

The passage encourages us to “keep hearing of His goodness!” This is an ongoing process. We don’t just hear once and then move on. We need to constantly remind ourselves of His goodness, His faithfulness, His unwavering love. We need to cultivate a mindset of gratitude, acknowledging His hand in our lives, both big and small.

This isn’t about ignoring our struggles or pretending that life is always easy. It’s about anchoring ourselves in the truth of God’s love, even in the midst of trials. It’s about remembering that He is with us, that He cares for us, and that His grace is sufficient for all our needs.

So, my friends, let’s shift our focus from ourselves and onto Jesus. Let’s stop measuring our faith and start experiencing His grace. Let’s immerse ourselves in His Word, connect with Him in prayer, and surround ourselves with a community of believers who can encourage us on this journey. Let’s keep hearing of His goodness! And as we do, I believe we will begin to see our faith grow, not through our own efforts, but through the power of His grace.

Explore Moralisee.com for daily devotions that will help you connect with God’s word, deepen your understanding of His grace, and strengthen your faith journey. There’s a wealth of inspiration, reflection, and community waiting for you there. Come and join us as we learn and grow together in the love of Christ.