Knowing Where to Run								
Scripture: Mark 5:25-34
Laura Story (Perimeter Church)
17/18 July 2021
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It is ok if you’re not ok.

* So that you can be honest and vulnerable about where you are right now because it has been a hard year for all.

* Important thing is to know where to run when you’re not ok.


## (Mark 5: 25 - 34) ##


## Woman’s Concern:

Some Bibles title this section as ‘The Bleeding Woman’. Nobody likes to be defined by our least desirable quality. The beauty about this passage is that she may begin as being labelled this way, but she did not end that way.

Q: What label are you most likely to wear in life?

The woman was in an almost hopeless situation (complicated health situation, lonely and impoverished). Note the word ‘almost’ because she met Jesus.


## Jesus’ Concern

The story could have ended nicely in verse 29 - an amazing healing story! But it continued with Jesus stopping and asking, “Who touched me?” Jesus was not only concerned with the physically well-being of people but the wholeness of soul that only He can give.


## Woman’s Response

The woman had two options:

1. Run from Jesus.

2. Run to Jesus.


## Jesus’ Response

(Mark 5:34) And he said to her, “Daughter, your faith has made you well; go in peace, and be healed of your disease.”

Jesus’ response to addressing the wholeness of soul:

* “Daughter” - A new identity and belonging.

* “Your faith has made you well.” - Affirmation of faith.

* “Go in peace (Shalom)” - Addressed the deeper aches beyond the physical ailment.


## Two aspects of faith:

# 1. God can.

Q: Do you believe that God can heal and restore? How does our behaviour reflect this?

# 2. I can’t.

Having the faith that not only believes that God can but being ok with the fact that you can’t.

Q: What is your ‘I can’t’ statement/confession?

It’s ok for us to give up because we have a God who never gives up. (Phil 1:6)

Hard to reconcile a loving God with the brokenness that we face. The very essence of faith and believing His promises, is trusting God when we don’t understand. (Psalm 34)

Psalm 13 - God gives us permission to be vulnerable.

In our ‘I can’t’ moments, do not let the trials dampen our worship but to deepen our worship.

Q: What is the thing that is broken that has been dampening your praise? What is the thing that you have seen as an obstacle to your faith rather than an opportunity for greater faith? What is the thing that you have been so resistant to bring to God?


Application Questions
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1. What are the labels you have been/are wearing in your life? How do you feel about the labels?

2. Laura said that the story could have ended with the woman being healed, but Jesus called her out. She could have run away from Jesus or to Jesus. Was there a situation in your life where God answered your prayers, but the ending was pre-mature? What could the ending have been like?

3. What is the thing that is currently dampening your praise? What does God want you to bring to Him so that the situation could deepen your worship?