Press through in humility
But Jesus said to her, “Let the children be filled first, for it is not good to take the children’s bread and throw it to the little dogs.” ~ Mark 7:27
Have you ever felt like you weren’t getting through in prayer, or even that you were being resisted, only to later realize that what felt like resistance was actually an invitation to press in deeper? Have you ever wanted something so badly, but something happened along the way that stole your hope of receiving it? I know I have. I remember a time when we were trying to buy our home and complication after complication kept slowing the process down. It started to feel personal, like an offense, and definitely a disappointment. Just when we were close to closing, there was an unexpected death in the family that shifted everything into perspective, and I had almost given up on the purchase happening at all. I could feel bitterness and frustration trying to take root because of all the struggle we were going through.
This same kind of disappointment could have easily taken hold of the woman in today’s reading. She came to Jesus from another region, desperate for her daughter to be healed from demonic oppression. Yet this is one of the only times we see Jesus respond in a way that seems to push someone away. He told her His ministry was to His own people and then He made a statement that could have easily offended her.
Those words could have caused her to walk away hurt and angry, but instead, she responded with humility. She didn’t argue, she didn’t defend herself, and she didn’t allow offense to take root. She took what was said, stayed low in her posture, and pressed in even more. She was determined to see her daughter set free, no matter what it took.
It may look like Jesus changed His mind, but what we really see is a heart that refused to be offended and chose humility instead. He wasn’t trying to push her away, He was drawing out a deeper response of faith and humility.
We see a similar situation with Naaman in the Old Testament. He was a man of authority and status, yet when he was given simple instructions for his healing, he became offended because it did not meet his expectations. He almost walked away from his miracle because of pride, until he chose to humble himself and follow the direction given.
How many times have we done the same thing? We pray, we believe, and when the answer doesn’t come the way we expected, or when it feels delayed, we become discouraged. Sometimes we even allow frustration or offense to pull us away when God is actually inviting us to come closer.
Here are some practical ways to apply this truth and get started today
- Check your heart when things do not go as expected, ask yourself if disappointment is turning into offense
- Stay in His presence even when you do not feel immediate results, keep talking to Him and trusting Him
- Choose humility in your response, even when something does not make sense or feels uncomfortable
- Be quick to obey any direction He gives you, even if it seems simple or challenges your pride
- Thank Him in advance for working behind the scenes, even when you cannot see the outcome yet
- Guard your thoughts and words, do not allow bitterness or frustration to take root in your heart
The truth is, faith will bring you to Him, but humility will keep you there. When you stay low before Him, you stay in a position to receive everything He has for you.
Today I want to encourage you to press through in humility when things do not go the way you expected. Do not allow disappointment or offense to pull you away from the very place your answer is waiting. Stay close to Him, trust His timing, and be willing to follow His leading even when it challenges your understanding. He is not withholding from you, He is working in ways you cannot yet see, and your breakthrough may be just on the other side of your willingness to stay humble and keep moving forward with Him.
Today’s scripture reading: Mark 7:24-30
24 From there He arose and went to the region of Tyre and Sidon. And He entered a house and wanted no one to know it, but He could not be hidden.
25 For a woman whose young daughter had an unclean spirit heard about Him, and she came and fell at His feet.
26 The woman was a Greek, a Syro-Phoenician by birth, and she kept asking Him to cast the demon out of her daughter.
27 But Jesus said to her, “Let the children be filled first, for it is not good to take the children’s bread and throw it to the little dogs.”
28 And she answered and said to Him, “Yes, Lord, yet even the little dogs under the table eat from the children’s crumbs.”
29 Then He said to her, “For this saying go your way; the demon has gone out of your daughter.”
30 And when she had come to her house, she found the demon gone out, and her daughter lying on the bed.
Journal:
- Where have I felt discouraged because something did not happen the way I expected
- Is there any offense or frustration I need to release to God today
- What is one area where I can choose humility instead of reacting emotionally
- Am I willing to follow God’s direction even if it challenges my pride or expectations
The Daily Dose 