Are You Feeling Pressed In


Mark 6:56 “Wherever He went—in villages, cities, or the countryside—they brought the sick out to the marketplaces. They begged Him to let the sick touch at least the fringe of His robe, and all who touched Him were healed.”

Wow! Can you imagine?! No matter where you go, people hear about who you are and come running! Not just themselves, but bringing their friends or family members who are sick. With cold and flu season in full swing now – I can picture it now: People who are well, bringing people who are sick, to crowd around a Man that is known to heal. Talking about feeling ‘pressed-in’ – geez! My mind’s eye flash (MEF) is like I see pictures of people around celebrities, people coming out of a courtroom or the Pope! A LOT of people crowding around a person.

What popped out at me today is ‘touch at least the fringe’ – like the lady who had a bleeding problem, and knew that if she could just touch His fringe, she would be healed. Then the very last part ‘all who touched Him’ – not that He ‘touched’ them, but if they ‘touched’ Him. Yes, He went to them, or to their town, but “they” are doing the action here. This is totally here for us and our benefit! Totally! When we are feeling pressed in, rushed, confused, hurt, or sick WE need to reach out to Him! Don’t get me wrong, I believe with all my heart 1,000% that Jesus is always at work in and around us for us. But like the boat scene just a few verses before this, WE need to call out to Him. Which means WE need to pray for ourselves! What?!?! I know, right!? We must be the ones to “reach out and touch Him” when we are ‘sick’.

To me ‘sickness’ is anything or any time we are not at our best. Day or night. Half way through the day. LOL  Yes, even actual cold and flu too, or worse than that – when we experience a sickness of ANY kind, He is right there waiting for us to reach out and touch Him. Does this mean we will always be healed when we reach out to Him? Hmmmm, not necessarily. Sometimes, we get in our own way. Other times, it lasts longer for someone else’s sake. No matter how long the “healing” takes, it is always going to be the outcome that brings God glory first and foremost. Look for it. Praise Him through it. Share your story with another person. Ask God to bring the ones “in” around you that He is wanting to share this with.

If you are feeling “pressed in” by the things of this world and life – then sit for a minute. Close your eyes. Picture Jesus coming into your neighborhood. Keep your eyes closed. Now picture that everyone is gathering at the ‘main spot’ where people gather. He is right there in the middle. No one is too sick, or too messed up, or suffering too much that He doesn’t look at them with compassion and mercy. Now you are there, in the middle of it all too. You are sooooo close, but not quite there. Reach out your hand! Stretch and lean as best as you can to just have a whisper of a touch of/on Him. He reaches His hand out, like a ‘crowd shake’ done at a concert – and He touches YOUR fingertips! Right then, that very instant, you feel the electricity of His power run all over your body! What are you thinking? What are you feeling? Excitement? Joy? Maybe even a little fear? Especially if you have been carrying this “suffering” for a while. Fear that you will now be ‘different’ and that is not what you have become accustomed to. No matter. You are healed! You CAN and WILL adjust to your new healthy lifestyle – no matter what it was that has been ‘pressing in’ on you!

I believe this with all of my heart! God wants us to be healed, living for Him, sharing all He has done to and for us! You can start small if you need to. Just think of 3 things that you can be thankful for. 3 things that He has blessed you with lately. Now, find a picture or a saying, something that expresses this – and share it! No need to explain it even. Just share it. I’m praying for you today. It might be hard to find ONE thing today that you know is a blessing – and that is ok, today your gift is ‘one’ thing. Hang on to that! Believe it. Share it. Close your eyes and reach out and touch the flowing hem of His garments as He is walking by – your faith will make you free!

Be well. Be safe. Be blessed!


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