04_From_Afflicted_to_Encouraged.pdf

Jun 27, 2025

Devotional

Day 1: Running Toward God in the Midst of Affliction

Affliction is a part of every life—sometimes it comes from our own choices, sometimes from the world around us, and sometimes for reasons we cannot explain. What matters most is not whether we will face hardship, but how we respond when it comes. In the stories of Jairus and the bleeding woman, both chose to run to Jesus in their desperation. They did not let shame, fear, or pride keep them away. Instead, they brought their pain directly to the One who could redeem it.
When we are overwhelmed by worry, suffering, or loss, we are invited to do the same. God does not promise a life free from affliction, but He does promise to meet us in it. Our hope is not in avoiding pain, but in seeking the presence of Jesus, who welcomes us as we are. The journey from affliction to encouragement begins with the simple, courageous act of turning to Him.

“And call upon me in the day of trouble; I will deliver you, and you shall glorify me.” (Psalm 50:15, ESV)

Reflection: When you face hardship, do you tend to withdraw from God or run toward Him? What would it look like today to bring your pain honestly to Jesus in prayer?

Day 2: Trusting God’s Presence in the Waiting

Delays and setbacks can make us feel forgotten or abandoned by God. When things don’t move according to our timeline, worry and doubt can easily take root. Yet, in the story of Jairus, Jesus was never truly delayed—He walked with Jairus, even as the situation grew more desperate. What seemed like a setback was actually an opportunity for deeper trust.
God’s timing is often different from ours, but His presence is constant. Even when progress feels slow or hope seems out of reach, Jesus is moving with us. The invitation is to trust that God is at work, even in the waiting. Our perception of delay is not a sign of His absence, but a call to lean into His faithfulness and believe that He is with us every step of the way.

“For still the vision awaits its appointed time; it hastens to the end—it will not lie. If it seems slow, wait for it; it will surely come; it will not delay.” (Habakkuk 2:3, ESV)

Reflection: Where in your life are you experiencing a delay or setback? How can you choose to trust God’s presence and timing in that area today?

Day 3: Honest Faith Over Perfect Performance

The bleeding woman approached Jesus not with flawless faith, but with trembling honesty. She risked exposure and possible rejection, yet she reached out anyway. Jesus did not require her to have it all together; He met her in her vulnerability and responded with mercy and peace.
God is not looking for perfection from us. He welcomes our honest faith, even when it is mixed with fear, doubt, or uncertainty. When we come to Him as we are—messy, broken, and unsure—He meets us with compassion. The invitation is to bring our true selves to Jesus, trusting that He values honesty over performance and that His grace is sufficient for our weakness.

“For he knows our frame; he remembers that we are dust.” (Psalm 103:14, ESV)

Reflection: Is there an area of your life where you feel you need to “have it all together” before coming to God? What would it look like to approach Him honestly, just as you are, today?

Day 4: Jesus Perseveres Through Our Doubts and Losses

Loss and disbelief are powerful forces that can make us question God’s goodness or even His existence. Yet, Jesus is not put off by our pain, our questions, or even our skepticism. In the face of mourning and mockery, He continued to offer hope and life. Our repeated prayers, our sorrows, and our doubts are not a burden to Him—they are invitations for Him to show His faithfulness.
Jesus perseveres with us, even when we struggle to believe. He is patient with our questions and steadfast in our grief. We are invited to bring our doubts and losses to Him, trusting that He will not turn us away but will meet us with compassion and hope.

“Behold, you have seen it, for you note mischief and vexation, that you may take it into your hands; to you the helpless commits himself; you have been the helper of the fatherless.” (Psalm 10:14, ESV)

Reflection: What doubts or losses are you carrying right now? How can you invite Jesus into those places, trusting that He is not bothered by your questions or pain?

Day 5: Christ’s Authority Over Death and Despair

Death is the ultimate affliction, casting a shadow over every life. Yet, Jesus’ words—“Child, get up!”—remind us that He holds authority over even the grave. Our hope is not in our own strength or goodness, but in the power and mercy of Christ, who calls us out of death into life.
This hope is not just for the future, but for today. Jesus invites us to experience His resurrection power in the midst of our despair, our failures, and our fears. He has the final word over every form of death—physical, emotional, or spiritual. We are called to live in the awe and wonder of His love, trusting that nothing is beyond His reach.

“I have seen his ways, but I will heal him; I will lead him and restore comfort to him and his mourners, creating the fruit of the lips. Peace, peace, to the far and to the near, says the Lord, and I will heal him.” (Isaiah 57:18-19, ESV)

Reflection: Where do you sense the shadow of death or despair in your life? How can you invite Jesus to speak His life and authority into that place today?

Sermon Summary

of the Sermon:**

Today’s sermon, “From Afflicted to Encouraged: Awe and Wonder,” explored the journey from suffering to hope through the lens of Luke 8:40-56. We walked through the stories of Jairus and the bleeding woman, examining eight different afflictions—worry, delay, suffering, denial, fear, loss, disbelief, and death—and how Jesus meets each one with encouragement, power, and mercy. The message emphasized that while afflictions are inevitable, our response to them and our willingness to seek Jesus make all the difference. Jesus listens, moves with us, is near, powerful, merciful, never bothered by our needs, perseveres despite disbelief, and is not stopped by death. The call is to move from being overwhelmed by our afflictions to being astounded by the awe and wonder of Christ’s love and power.

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Key Takeaways

1. Affliction Is Inevitable, But Our Response Matters: Life brings many forms of affliction—some we cause, some we inherit, and some simply happen. The crucial question is not whether we will face hardship, but whether we will run from God or to Him. Jairus and the bleeding woman both ran to Jesus, showing us that hope is found not in avoiding pain, but in seeking the One who can redeem it.
2. God’s Timing Is Not Our Timing: Delays and setbacks often magnify our worry and make us question God’s presence. Yet, Jesus was never truly delayed—He moved with Jairus, even when the situation seemed hopeless. Our perception of delay is not a reflection of God’s absence, but an invitation to trust that He is moving with us, even when progress feels slow.
3. Jesus Meets Us in Our Honesty, Not Our Perfection: The bleeding woman approached Jesus in trembling honesty, not with perfect faith or confidence. She risked exposure and possible punishment, but was met with mercy and peace. God does not require us to have it all together; He asks for honest faith, even if it comes with fear and trembling.
4. Loss and Disbelief Do Not Deter Jesus: Whether we are mourning real loss or wrestling with disbelief, Jesus is not bothered or put off by our pain or our questions. He perseveres through our doubts and even our mocking, continuing to offer hope and life. Our repeated prayers and sorrows are not a burden to Him—they are invitations for Him to show His faithfulness.
5. Jesus Has the Final Word Over Death: Death is the ultimate affliction, casting a shadow over all our lives. Yet, Jesus’ command—“Child, get up!”—reminds us that He holds authority over life and death. Our hope is not in our own goodness or ability to stave off mortality, but in the power and mercy of Christ, who calls us out of death into life, both now and forever.

Bible Study Guide

**Bible Study Discussion Guide: From Afflicted to Encouraged: Awe and Wonder**

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### Bible Reading

**Luke 8:40-56**
(Feel free to read the whole passage together, or assign parts to different people.)

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### Observation Questions

What are the two main stories in Luke 8:40-56, and who are the main people involved?
How long had the woman been suffering, and how old was Jairus’s daughter? Why do you think the sermon pointed out this detail?
What did Jairus and the bleeding woman do when they were faced with their afflictions?
How did Jesus respond to both Jairus and the woman when they came to Him with their needs?

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### Interpretation Questions

The sermon mentioned eight different afflictions (worry, delay, suffering, denial, fear, loss, disbelief, and death). Why do you think the pastor emphasized that affliction is inevitable in life?
How does Jesus’s response to delay and setbacks challenge our usual way of thinking about God’s timing?
The bleeding woman approached Jesus with “trembling honesty.” What does this teach us about how God wants us to come to Him?
When those around Jairus mocked Jesus for saying the girl was only asleep, what does Jesus’s perseverance in the face of disbelief show us about His character?

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### Application Questions

The sermon said that affliction is inevitable, but our response matters. When you face hardship, do you tend to run from God or to Him? Can you share a recent example?
Think about a time when you felt like God was “delayed” in answering your prayers. How did you respond? Looking back, do you see any ways God was moving with you even when you didn’t notice?
The bleeding woman risked embarrassment and possible punishment to reach out to Jesus. Is there an area in your life where you need to come to God with honest faith, even if you feel afraid or unworthy?
The sermon said that Jesus is not bothered by our repeated prayers or our pain. Are there things you’ve stopped praying about because you thought God was tired of hearing them? What would it look like to bring those things to Him again?
Loss and disbelief do not deter Jesus. Have you ever felt like your doubts or questions would push God away? How does this story encourage you to bring your honest struggles to Him?
Jesus has the final word over death. How does knowing that Jesus holds authority over life and death change the way you view your current struggles or fears?
The sermon ended with a call to move from being overwhelmed by affliction to being astounded by the awe and wonder of Christ’s love and power. What is one practical way you can focus on the awe and wonder of Jesus this week, even in the middle of your challenges?

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Sermon Quotes

There are many afflictions in life. Some cripple our bodies, while others cripple our spirits and harden hearts to compassion. But God is greater. He softens your heart of stone, leads you to rest, and cleanses your soul for eternal life with Him.

Awe will either draw us to follow Him or cause us to reject Him in preference to our sin. Wonder will keep our eyes on Him and will open our mouths to share what Jesus has done for us.

When that loss is in your face, when the affliction is ever-present, will you lose hope and run from God or will you run to Him, fall at your knees, and ask Him to come with you?

We are afflicted by delay when our expectations of God’s timing are false or when anything outside of our control seems to derail our path. But here’s the good news: Jesus not only listened to Jairus, He also went with him.

If you’re suffering—even if it’s been a very long time—reach out to the Lord. One way or another, your suffering will end if you put your faith in Jesus Christ. Jesus is near.

You are not annoying Him with your repeated prayers, with your sorrow, pains, or suffering. He still listens, still goes with you, still is near, still is powerful, and still leads you to mercy and peace.

Disbelief and mocking won’t prevent Jesus from showing up any more than our concept of delay actually delays the Lord. Jesus perseveres despite our disbelief and mocking.

We are afflicted with corruption that leads to death, but by the powerful love and grace of Jesus Christ, we will be made incorruptible and have eternal life.

It started with an affliction of worry that led Jairus to Jesus’ feet. It ended with the affliction of death answered with life by Jesus’ command. “Child, get up!” Church—get up! You are called out of death into life.

Be astounded by the power of Jesus Christ and His merciful love. Worship Him in spirit and in truth, afflicted no more.

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