Dianne Barker here, spreading encouragement.

I must ask—do you ever feel like giving up? Are you tired of the hassle…tired of spinning your wheels…tired of feeling stuck? Facing a bleak future and overcome by hopelessness, have you muttered to yourself, Why bother?

I know where to find hope. Come with me for a glimpse of some inspiring historical events.

Jesus was on a mission…something urgent. Jairus’ daughter lay at the point of death. Along the way, a woman approached him with a need—a blood disorder that physicians had not cured in twelve years. She’d spent all she had yet grown worse.

She heard about Jesus. She came behind him in the crowd and touched his garment. “If I touch his clothes, I will be well,” she had said. Immediately the blood flow ceased and she felt healed.

“Who touched my clothes?” Jesus said, knowing power had gone out of him. The woman fell down before him and told him what happened—as if he did not know.

“Your faith made you well,” he said. “Go in peace.”

Meanwhile…Jairus’ young daughter died. Too late for healing. Arriving at the home, Jesus said to the grieving father, “Do not be afraid; only believe.” To the child, about twelve years old, he spoke, “Little girl, I say to you, get up!” And she did. (See Mark 5:21-43 NIV).

The woman seemed just an interruption, yet the Lord had time for a miracle. As for the little girl—an impossibility…but not when Jesus came near.

What is your need today? Don’t give up! You could be one step away from a miracle!

Jesus welcomes interruptions. He delights in impossibilities. In his presence hopelessness vanishes.

A little pep talk for today:

“This I recall to my mind, therefore have I hope. It is of the Lord’s mercies that we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not. They are new every morning: great is thy faithfulness. The Lord is my portion, saith my soul; therefore will I hope in him. The Lord is good unto them that wait for him, to the soul that seeketh him. It is good that a man should hope and quietly wait for the salvation of the Lord” (Lam. 3:21-26 KJV).

When you feel like giving up, remind yourself:

• The Lord’s compassions never fail; they are new every morning.
• Great is his faithfulness.
• He is my portion; I will hope in him.
• The Lord is good to those who wait for him and seek him.
• It’s good to hope and quietly wait for him.

Jesus said, “Only believe.” He is my hope. I can’t wait to see what happens next!

Dianne Barker is a speaker, radio host, and author of 11 books, including the best-selling Twice Pardoned. This post is adapted from Cabbages and Kings—Reflections on Living Abundantly in Christ. She’s a member of Christian Authors Network, Advanced Writers and Speakers Association, and Christian Women in Media Association. Visit www.diannebarker.com.