{"id":1297,"date":"2020-03-18T09:00:00","date_gmt":"2020-03-18T13:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/nancylucenay.com\/staging\/8869\/?p=1297"},"modified":"2025-09-07T15:06:08","modified_gmt":"2025-09-07T19:06:08","slug":"a-bleeding-woman-turning-fear-into-faith","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/nancylucenay.com\/staging\/8869\/a-bleeding-woman-turning-fear-into-faith\/","title":{"rendered":"A Bleeding Woman ~ Turning Fear into Faith"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

For some, the fear is almost palpable. They allow panic to drive their actions. An underlying concern colors all social interactions. The terms clean and unclean have taken on new meaning and new intensity. We\u2019re afraid the germs of another\u2014their uncleanness\u2014may contaminate us, maybe even kill us. Even harmless sniffles can cause our hearts and minds to race toward a frightening future. How can we turn our fear into faith? Two people found their answer in Jesus: A desperate father whose worst nightmare was coming true and a bleeding woman who had endured a 12-year nightmare of self-quarantine. (Mark 5:21-43<\/a>) Both needed faith as they struggled to manage their fear. In them, we find a contrast between faith that had to act despite fear and faith that had to wait despite fear.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For Jairus, Twelve Years Wasn’t Long Enough<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

As soon as Jesus stepped off the boat, Jairus met him. Jairus\u2019 honorable position as a synagogue leader hadn\u2019t protected him from the fear and pain of watching his precious daughter suffer. She was only 12 years old, much too young to die, but Jairus knew her death was imminent. When Jesus agreed to accompany him, hope overrode the fear in Jairus\u2019 heart. But then a woman interrupted their mission, and his fear returned like a flock of vultures.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For the Bleeding Woman, Twelve Years Was Too Long<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Jewish purity codes required a woman experiencing her monthly uncleanness to refrain from her regular duties. She transmitted her uncleanness to everyone and everything she touched. Although she might appreciate a one-week vacation every month, no one wanted permanent estrangement. But the desperate woman had endured her condition, not just one week but 624 weeks! Overwhelming shame and isolation defined the bleeding woman\u2019s life. She was bankrupt in every area\u2014physical, financial, spiritual, social, emotional, and psychological. Her dishonor was as wide-reaching as Jairus\u2019 honor.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Bleeding Woman Risked Hope<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Despite her pounding heart, the woman pushed past her fear of rejection and disappointment. Creeping through the crowd, she stretched her hand to reach the tassels on Jesus\u2019 prayer shawl<\/a>. Despite her fear, the bleeding woman acted on her faith in Jesus\u2019 power to heal. When she touched the tassels, her greatest hope and greatest fear embraced. She had risked contaminating Jesus and everyone else with her uncleanness. However, his power to cleanse<\/a> was more potent than hers to contaminate. She experienced healing, but Jesus shattered her hope of invisibility. His question (Mark 5:30) made her heart sink as shame replaced the joy of healing. Since Jesus insisted, she identified herself, fearing the crowd’s anger and his. Why did he force her to confess? Jesus wanted to give the bleeding woman more than physical healing. He yearned to remove her shame and restore her honor in the community.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

His response shocked her:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

            Daughter, your faith has healed [saved<\/em>] you. Go in peace and be freed from your suffering.<\/p>Mark 5:34<\/cite><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n

The Greek word for saved<\/em> refers to both physical and spiritual healing. She was the only person Jesus called Daughter, and he welcomed her into his shalom.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A Deadly Delay<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

As Jairus waited, messengers came with the dreaded news\u2014his daughter was dead. Grief flooded his heart. But two daughters had needed Jesus\u2019 touch, and both were precious. Jesus called on Jairus to exercise faith.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Don\u2019t be afraid; just believe.<\/p>Mark 5:36<\/cite><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n

Faith is a choice to believe, despite doubts and questions. Jairus listened to his faith rather than his fear. And again, Jesus showed his power when he raised Jairus\u2019 daughter from the dead.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Does Faith Heal?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

According to rabbinic tradition, the water of the Red Sea didn\u2019t divide for the Israelites until they were in up to their nostrils (Exodus 14:22). Faith does not wait to see if the waters will split before stepping out. It steps out, trusting God to do what\u2019s needed. Belief isn\u2019t enough; faith requires risk. Unless it leads to action, faith is only an idea.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Faith doesn\u2019t heal; God heals. Likewise, prayer doesn\u2019t work; God works. Faith and prayer open the door to God\u2019s power, enabling him to do what he wants.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

How to Turn Fear into Faith<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

We know the dog we feed the most will win the dogfight. So we must feed our faith, not our fear. Feed it with: <\/p>\n\n\n\n