When the Struggles of Life Knock You Over

[soso]

When the Struggles of Life Knock You Over
LEAH DIPASCAL

“When Jesus saw her, he called her /forward and said to her, ‘Woman, you are set free from your infirmity.’

Then he put his hands /on her, and immediately she straightened up and praised God.” Luke 13:12-13 (NIV)

She heard His voice but couldn’t see Him clearly. The surrounding crowds had blocked her view.

Bent over at the waist and unable to stand up straight, she strained to get a good glimpse of Him.

Then, unexpectedly, He’d called her forward.

I imagine () her heart was racing /as she slowly shuffled her way /to the front of the synagogue.

Why would Jesus single her out /of the crowd? Was He going to make a spectacle of her brokenness?

Or expose her deepest pain and darkest secrets?

As the crowds around her murmured, each step toward Jesus felt /as if she were lugging the weight of the world

/behind her.

For 18 years, her body had been crippled. Eighteen long, exhausting years.

She certainly had plenty of reasons /not to go to the synagogue /that Sabbath morning. Why subject herself /to the possible harsh stares and hurtful comments? Yet she was there, listening intently to the teachings of Jesus.

She didn’t say a word. She didn’t try to get His attention. She simply stood in His presence,

soaking in [the life-giving statements //that gave her hope /in the midst of her hopeless situation].

But Jesus saw her. Jesus had compassion for her. Jesus loved and wanted to heal her. And in one swift statement, those 18 long, exhausting years came to a screeching halt.

“Woman, you are set free /from your infirmity” (Luke 13:12b).

With the gentle touch of His hands, warmth flowed /through her body, and she suddenly realized () she was standing upright. She no longer strained to get a glimpse of Jesus … she now saw Him /face to face.

With a burst of joy, bondage gave way /to freedom and she exhaled /in worshipful praise and adoration to her Lord.

Her healer. Her bondage breaker.

* give way

1. To retreat or withdraw.

2. To yield the right of way: gave way to an oncoming car.

3. To relinquish ascendancy or position: as day gives way slowly to night.

4. To collapse from or as if from physical pressure: The ladder gave way.

5. To yield to urging or demand; give in.

6. To abandon oneself: give way to hysteria.

Scripture doesn’t tell us her name, but I think () we all can relate /to this woman /in one way or another.

Maybe you see a small part of her story //that rings true /in your own life, connecting you /though years separate.

Could it be:

• An ailment //that physically restricts your body and makes you feel weak?

• A spiritual battle /keeping you /in bondage /to the enemy?

• An unwanted flaw //that draws painful attention and hurtful comments from others?

• A heavy heart /filled with shattered dreams and stinging emotions?

• A burden () you carry, causing you to shuffle through life feeling alone, unwanted or disposable?

Whatever has made your life seem long and exhausting,

Jesus can repair it /by His powerful presence, His comforting words and His healing touch.

He loves you. He longs /to be gracious to you. He rises /to show compassion /so you can stand upright again.

Assured. Secure. Enveloped in His comforting embrace.

You are never lost in the crowd /because you have captivated Jesus’ heart. His gaze is always fixed /on you.

He sees your pain. He’s aware of your affliction. He knows your struggles.

Like the woman in the synagogue, come /as you are — with all //that makes you feel less than. Draw near to Jesus,

soak in His life-giving Word and wait expectantly to hear Him speak freedom /over your situation:

“Woman, you are set free from your infirmity” (Luke 13:12b). Jesus did it for her … and He can do it for you too!

Lord, I come to You today and lay all my burdens /at Your feet. Take the emotional and mental weight () I’ve been carrying /so that I can stand upright again. Draw /near to me. Heal me. Free me. I want to live assured, secure and continuously aware of Your loving embrace. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.