There are few people we can be truly honest with in our lives. They are the ones with whom we can let down our entire guard, allow our emotions to run their course, and offer our disappointments and doubts. We cannot do it with everyone, but there are a few that are safe, a few that will receive us as we are no matter what.
Two sisters and a brother were those people for Jesus, and Jesus was that for them. Mary, Martha, and Lazarus had a deep friendship with Jesus. It was Mary who fell at Jesus’s feet and anointed his feet with her hair and oil (John 11:2; John 12:1–8). It was Martha whom we can find being completely honest with Jesus when her sister leaves her in the kitchen with all the work (Luke 10:38–42). It was Lazarus who was described as being loved by Jesus (John 11:3, 36). Jesus loved this family, and with this depth of love came the freedom to be themselves, to be honest in their disappointment, to be vulnerable with their tears, and to offer Jesus their whole selves, stopping short of nothing (John 11:5).
unmoved
Knowing Jesus well, the sisters sent Jesus a message, “Lord, the one whom you love is ill” (John 11:3). You would expect Jesus to respond with, “Okay, I’m coming right away.” But he didn’t. He said some cryptic words about his illness not leading to death and being for God’s glory (John 11:4). Then he stayed two days longer where he was. He seemed to be unfazed by the sisters’ news, and then said plainly, “He is dead” (John 11:14). He followed this with another cryptic statement: “I am glad that I was not there, so that you may believe” (John 11:15). What was Jesus up to? Did he not see their pain? Did he not feel it either?
honesty welcome
Jesus then began moving toward Bethany, the sisters’ hometown. Martha heard he was coming and went to meet him, being honest about her disappointment and her expectation of Jesus. “Lord, if you had been here, my brother would not have died” (John 11:21).
Later in the story, Mary came to Jesus and said the exact same thing, “Lord, if you had been here, my brother would not have died” (John 11:32).
The community responded with, “Could not he who opened the eyes of the blind man also have kept this man from dying?” (John 11:37). Another fair question. And Jesus welcomed it all.
himself
Jesus eventually raised Lazarus from the dead. He had his purposes in waiting as well as his welcome of grief, confusion, and questions. Jesus did not rush to resurrection, and he met Mary, Martha, and the people with his own humanity as well. Yes, he will resurrect, but there is something in the waiting that he has for each person. He has himself. Waiting for resurrection gave Martha, Mary, and the people more of him. And that is what he gives us as well.
I have been told to let the past go, but I have been hurt alot by someone I thought I loved. How can you let that go?
I am having trouble letting God take it from me. How can I let it go?
Why am I suffering this Illness
Why am I going through this illness?
I have a disappointment and grief that sort of go together. My husband was military and retired after 20 years, and went on to work for the DOD. He retired in 1989 and I continued to work until 2000. We had talked about what we would do when I retired and it revolved about traveling in our motor home. Every time I would suggest going somewhere, he would say I don’t feel like it, and his excuse was that he "traveled so much in the military" He retired from the military in 1975. He refused to even talk about going to Europe as he said there are so many places here in the US we haven’t seen but yet he didn’t want to go. That’s my disappointment. now to move on to the grief. After I retired he started to have a "toddy" in the afternoon. As the years have progressed his "toddys" became 2 then 3, all in the afternoon before supper.About six years ago he stated to forget things. We eventually went to a neurologist who stated he had dementia, which I knew. He has been seeing a neurologist for about 4 years and is steadily declining. The neurologist has explained more than once the relationship between drinking and dementia. This is where my grief really comes in. If he would only have stopped drinking when we first went to the neurologist, maybe our life would have been different and we could have gone to some of those places we dreamed of years before. His drinking and the dementia has really changed my life. As my daughter tells me "when you take your wedding vows you say for better or worse. You had 55 good years for which we were blessed and now you are dealing with the worse part." I continue to pray for him every night and ask that he will quit drinking. That won’t help his memory but maybe, just maybe he will be much easier to live with. I know God is in control but it is hard to accept.
Am so sorry for what you are going through. It is really hard. Praying God’s grace to see you through.
I have many stories to tell and many things that bring me sadness but i try to focus on those moments as a piece of my bigger story and something that makes me, well me. At this moment in my life i am preparing to be a mom in just a couple of months and i want my life to be filled with positive things and things that bring me joy. In this season of life I don’t want things to bring me down but instead things to bring me up, like Jesus did with Lazarus
With waiting we are trusting God to take all of our grief and burdens. It’s hard to trust Him in these times. Just like Mary and Martha when their brother was ill, they wanted Jesus to be there immediately but He had a bigger picture in mind. We need to focus on these times of reflection and trust to grow deeper with God and all that He has planned for us.
My husband is suffering physically, with painful and frustrating side effects from radiation. Yes , we have a strong daily prayer life, and a strong faith foundation, but it seems the Lord is taking His time.
Am I disappointed? yes. Am I grieving the loss of previously vigorous and active lifestyle? yes ….feeling somewhat like I’m hanging onto thin air promises? yes, sometimes……and yet deep in my heart, I know Jesus is there. He is holding me and us. It’s studies like these that help me stay on track. Thank you Jennie, and IF team …you are keeping me together. <3
I am receiving his healing from a two and a half year battle with depression. My creativity has suffered so much there are days I cannot write or create. My creativity comes in small ways and I am frustrated because it helps me to build my business online. I find myself asking how he will use this mess, my mess for his purpose and his glory.
I think we learn trust in the hard times, like Peter in responding to Jesus question ‘are you going also’ and Peter’s response of ‘where would I go – you have the words of life’
I was living with my daughter to help with my little grandchildren. Suddenly, without warning I was told to move our. I didn’t know what to do. I stayed on a friend’s couch for a few days. Then told my sister what happened and asked if I could stay with them for a few days until I could figure out what to do. I went to Bible study with my sister. God stepped in and took over.. One of the ladies in the group told my sister about a newspaper article listing low income senior housing. I found a place and applied. I heard back within days, even though there was a 2 year waiting list. I was also counseled my the pastor of the the church I went to before moving in with my daughter a distance away. When I got the apartment, he had the church help with the first months rent and security so I could move in. I moved in with 2 weeks. I lived there 11 years before moving to Florida 3 years ago to be near my 2 oldest granddaughters and my 4 great grandchildren. My move to Flrida was another blessing from God.