Don’t listen to them

August 8, 2006

By Greg Ebie

Our family had gathered in the surgery waiting room. My dad was having a tumor removed from behind his eye; we all hoped it was benign. But our fears solidified with a call from the O.R.: “The tumor is malignant.” We knew immediately that Dad would lose his eye, but could this also be the beginning of the end? Questions and uncertainty filled the room and our hearts. What would happen next?

Dad had prepared a letter for me to read to the family if we heard bad news from the doctors. He reassured us that while we were presently going through a very hard time, God had reassured him that everything was going to be all right, even better than before.

Jairus asked Jesus to come heal his daughter who was at death’s door. But he appeared to have made his plea too late. As Jesus and the disciples were on the way to Jairus’ home, word came that Jairus’ daughter had already died. Basically Jairus’ servants said, “Tell Jesus you are sorry to have troubled Him because all hope is lost; your daughter is dead.”

“Jesus overheard what they were talking about and said to the leader [Jairus], ‘Don’t listen to them; just trust me’ ” (Mark 5:36, The Message).

When Disappointment visits us, its words pull us down. When Fear and Worry speak, we focus on what they say. We repeat their message over and over in our minds. When Tragedy raises its voice, we stop in our tracks paralyzed and afraid to move at all.

These unexpected guests will come our way; they are guaranteed to make unwanted visits in this life. It is only natural when we raise our voice to God and ask, “Why, God? Why didn’t You keep them away from me?” In such uncertain times it is hard to hear anything else above the noise and confusion brought by Disappointment, Fear, Worry and Tragedy.

In moments of anguish we must listen to the still small voices of Hope and Faith that Christ brings to our lives. The more we listen to these friends, the less the enemies of our soul will be heard. As you tune your heart to the Holy Spirit, you will hear Jesus say, “Don’t listen to them; just trust me.”

D. Greg Ebie is senior pastor of Praise Assembly of God in Garrettsville, Ohio, and an author of Daily Bread devotionals.