Hanging On By A Thread

​Over my many years of pastoral and counseling ministry, I have ministered to numerous people who have told me, tears streaming down their face, “Steve, I am hanging on by a thread.”

​Personal issues. Family matters. Financial pressures. Business or ministry stress. Sadly, many good-hearted, well-intentioned, hard-working people are desperately holding on to a thin thread of hope that their life situation will improve.
 
Sound familiar? I have been there, done that, and have burned the Tee shirts!
 
Our word for this week features a desperate, determined lady in the Bible who was hanging on to a thread of hope.
 
Her heart-touching story is recorded in Matthew 9:20-22 and Mark 5:25-34.
           
“And behold, a woman who had been suffering from a hemorrhage for twelve years, came up behind Jesus and touched the fringe of His cloak; for she was saying to herself, “If I only touch His garment, I shall get well.” Matthew 9:20
 
Scenario: This precious lady suffered for twelve long years from a chronic medical condition. Doctors had no cure. She exhausted all her finances. Alone. Hurting. Penniless. Anxiously holding on to the rope of hope, she heard about Jesus.
 
She needed a miracle. She liked what she heard about the miracles Jesus was doing.
She believed if she just touched Christ’s clothes, she would be healed.
 
Hopeful and courageous, the desperate woman pushed through the surging crowd surrounding Jesus. She reached out with faith, touching the hem of Jesus’ garment. Immediately, Jesus felt healing power flow from Him. Upon identifying the woman, He said to her “Daughter, take courage, your faith has made you well.”  
 
Note: Her faith made her well. She acted on what she believed. Amazing! She convinced herself if I just touch His garment, I will be healed!
 
·       Her courageous faith challenges my faith to the core.
 
Maybe you can identify with this precious woman. You are facing a seemingly impossible situation. You have done all you know to do. Consulted with everyone you can. Sought out so-called experts. You have spent all the time, energy and resources you can afford. Exhausted and frustrated, you have nothing left to give. You are spiritually, mentally, emotionally, physically and financially bankrupt.
·       Hanging on by a thread.
 
 My friend, I know you are tired. Worn out. Stressed to the max. Throwing in the towel on your unresolved situation seems so desirable. You just want this to end. Come to a conclusion. Find closure to your adverse circumstances. Tossing the covers over your head, hoping the situation will go away, looks rather good!
 

• Hold on to your faith.

 
Holding On To Faith When Hanging On By A Thread
 

• Admit your helplessness. Surrender your struggle to the Lord. Release it. Let it go. Jesus knows what you are going through.
• Commit yourself to seek God’s help. Do whatever you have to do. Whatever the Holy Spirit tells you to do, do it.
• Submit. Humble yourself to God’s healing, restoration and renewal.
• Reach out with faith. Simple. Childlike. Biblical trust in Jesus.
• Push through doubt. Shout down unbelief. Lord, I believe, help my unbelief.
• Touch the heart of Jesus. He is waiting to do a miracle for you!
• Leave your “thread” with the Lord. Do not look back. Your future is forward.
• Receive Christ’s solution to your problem. He knows what to do when we don’t.
• Rejoice in your victory over your thread of desperation! Shout His praises!!!
• Share your “miracle” with others who are looking for their miracle from Jesus.

 
Hurting? Hanging on? Hanging in there? Hoping? Maybe hoping against hope?
 

• If you are at the end of our rope, tie a knot, and hold on to faith.

 
My friend, push through pain. Do whatever you need to in order to come into the Lord’s presence. Do not let discouragement, doubt, fatigue, depression, despair, anyone or anything prevent or stop you from receiving the healing, restoring, renewing power of God.
           
Reach out to Jesus. Right now. Receive what you need from your Lord and Savior.
 

• When Jesus is around, healing and restoration is just a touch of faith away!

 
A Word For Your Week: Hang on to your faith when hanging on by a thread.