There’s a short verse in the fifth chapter of Mark that I carry with me everyday. 

Jesus is approached by a father whose daughter is deathly ill.  He wants Jesus to come to his home to heal his little girl.  The father is filled with grief, falling at Jesus’ feet and pleading “fervently” with him to come. 

We've all faced desperate situations.  Eight years ago, I was standing in the doorframe of a hospital room watching doctors and nurses trying to help my ten year old son, then two.  He couldn’t breathe and they couldn’t get him stabilized.  I stood there and begged God to reach down and touch my son's throat.  This New Testament father was no different.  Faced with a hopeless situation, he came to Christ for help.  But as they were walking back to his home, he hears the worst.  A servant approaches to tell him that his daughter has died. 

In our darkest moments, hope can break through.  Jesus grabs this heartbroken father's shoulders, looks him in the eyes, and speaks into his soul.

“Don’t be afraid.  Just believe.”

I go to that verse a lot.  When my teenage son acts like he hates me and wants nothing to do with his family, don’t be afraid, just believe.  When my wife and I aren't getting along and are fighting over stupid little things, don’t be afraid, just believe.  When my office’s sales have dipped and my general manager calls me in for a meeting, don’t be afraid, just believe.  When the bills have stacked up, things are breaking down, and I’m struggling with staying current, don’t be afraid, just believe.  When everything seems to be going wrong and I feel alone.

“Don’t be afraid, just believe.” 

It’s not easy for me to follow that instruction.  My mind goes in 1,000 different directions and I worry about many things.  I want to wrap my arms around my wife and children and protect them from harm.  I want my teenage son to find success as he begins to make his way in a tough world.  I want to bring the big purchase orders and best accounts back to my company and propel us to excellence.  But somewhere along the way, I’ve lost the innocence and eternal optimism of youth.  I have watched good people, good men, good families get devastated by life.  I learned how little control I really have. 

And at times I get scared. 

But Christ’s words burn in my mind.  I grab them and hold them close to my heart.  Over and over again, I hear Him saying these words of comfort, hope, and protection.

“Don’t be afraid, just believe.”