One of the the things that drew people to Jesus, I think, was his ability to cut through the religious language and articulate matters of faith in the simplest of terms.

• Love God with all your heart. Love others. Love yourself.
• Build your house on rock, not sand.
• Don’t worry about tomorrow.
• Follow me.

I was reading Mark 5:21-43 and came across another of these simple, yet profound statements.

A man named Jairus had asked Jesus to come heal is daughter. Jesus went with him and on the way, encountered a sick woman who was healed by touching Jesus’ robe. This delayed Jesus and in the interim time, Jairus’ daughter had died.

When men from Jairus’ house told him this, Jesus “ignored what they said” (I love that!) and he turned to Jairus and said, “Don’t be afraid; just believe” (v. 36). In that moment, Jairus faced a choice: believe what he’d just heard and give up hope, or choose to believe Jesus.

You and I face the same choice–every. single. day. We can choose to live in fear, or we can choose to take Jesus at His word. Here’s what that sounds like:

• Don’t be afraid of what lies ahead. Only believe that I’m already there.
  
• Don’t be afraid of others’ opinions. Only believe what I say about you.
  
• Don’t be afraid of not having enough. Only believe that I own it all.
  
• Don’t be afraid that I won’t come through for you. Only believe that I am with you and for you.
  
• Don’t be afraid of disappointing others. Only believe I’m already proud of you.
  
• Don’t be afraid of failure. Only believe that I make all things work together for good.
  
• Don’t be afraid of being hurt. Only believe I’m the healer of wounded hearts.
  
• Don’t be afraid of the world’s unrest. Only believe I’m sovereign over all.
  
• Don’t be afraid of what you might lose. Only believe that I’ll give you all you need.

What about you? What does your circumstance look like? Don’t be afraid of _______________. Only believe that __________________.

The same God who healed Jairus’ daughter can meet you where you are and provide exactly what you need. Because that’s the kind of Savior He is–and He’s a God you can believe in.