Wednesday Woman: The Bleeding Woman With Faith (and Fear)

I used to think that having faith meant you’re not afraid.  After all, if I really trust God, I won’t live in fear, right?

Then I read the story of the bleeding woman.  Yes, she had faith.  But she was also scared to death.

She had a hemorrhage for twelve years.  The doctors only made her worse.  And Jesus was her only hope.  So she reached out and touched his cloak in a crowd of people thinking,

If I just touch His garments, I will get well. (Mark 5:29)

Immediately, she was healed.

What recently struck me about the story – I had previously read it many times before – is that, despite her faith, she was still afraid.  When Jesus inquired, “Who touched my garments,”  she didn’t raise her hand and jump up and down.  She didn’t say, “Yippee, it was I Lord.” 

Even after she was healed, she was still afraid.  She was even trembling:

But the woman fearing and trembling, aware of what had happened to her, came and fell down before Him and told Him the whole truth. (v. 34)

Did Jesus hold her fear against her?  Hardly.  Instead, he applauded her faith:

“Daughter, your faith has made you well.”

I’m thankful that faith and fear are not mutually exclusive.  In fact, I think they might even go together.  After all, if we’re going to ask God for something big – like changing a circumstance, opening a door that is locked shut, or healing an illness – we’re going to have to face our fears head on. 

If Jesus were standing right in front of you, would you be afraid?  Would you be trembling?  I know I would be.

But, the better question is, like the Bleeding Woman, do you have the faith to touch his garment?

This Wednesday, I’m praying for all of you out there who are reaching out and touching his garment.  And I'm praying for those of you who need the faith to do so.  I’m right there with you.  Sure, I’m afraid.  But let’s not miss out on a miracle.