“Daughter, be of good cheer; your faith has made you well. Go in peace.” (Luke 8:48, NKJV)

Have you ever reached a point of such desperation that you would try anything and everything to achieve a certain outcome?

One of my favourite Biblical accounts is found in Luke 8:40-48. This passage speaks of a woman who suffered from a blood disorder for 12 long, excruciating years. It is one of the 37 recorded miracles of Jesus, and it stands as a testament to her unwavering faith in His healing power. After seeking the help of many physicians, one might expect her to have lost hope. Yet, instead of resigning to her condition, she acted in faith. As the crowds thronged around Jesus, she reached out in an act of desperation and touched the hem of His garment, believing that was sufficient to heal her.

This story moves me deeply for two key reasons:

1. The Magnitude of Her Faith

How often do we pray with absolute confidence that the Lord has already heard and answered us? This woman unequivocally believed that a mere touch would heal her. She was on a mission, and Jesus Himself acknowledged her faith:

“Daughter, be of good cheer; your faith has made you well. Go in peace.” (Luke 8:48, NKJV)

She did not approach Jesus with an iota of uncertainty—she knew beyond a shadow of a doubt that He had the power to heal her. Her story forces me to ask myself: do I possess such assurance, confidence and faith in the Lord when I seek Him?

2. His Compassion and Awareness

At this point in the timeline, Jesus was on His way to heal Jairus’ daughter, time was of the essence. The crowds pressed in from all sides, yet He still felt her touch. He was never too busy, never in too much of a rush to notice those who sought Him. This story is a reminder that we are precious in His sight, the Psalmist beautifully expresses this truth,

“How precious also are Your thoughts to me, O God! How great is the sum of them!” (Psalm 139:17, NKJV)

Not only does He see us, He cherishes us.

“But the very hairs of your head are all numbered.” (Matthew 10:30, NKJV)

When I reflect on my own life, I am overwhelmed by how faithfully the Lord has loved, protected, guided, provided for, and blessed me—above all, with this precious gift of salvation. It amazes me how much He cares for me. As Stuart Townend wrote, “How deep the Father’s love for us, how vast beyond all measure.” Isn’t it a great joy to sit in awe and wonder at His love for us?

Peace Like a River

There was only one moment in my life where I truly felt such desperation—when my mother received her second cancer diagnosis: Stage 4 lung cancer, spread to several parts of the body. I remember the days following the diagnosis—the crushing weight of despair, the feeling of my world falling apart. In that consuming chaos, I called out to the Lord. He faithfully answered me with that peace that surpasses all understanding (Philippians 4:7). In that moment, I was assured of her recovery, even though many viewed this as a terminal diagnosis. Now, 2.5 years later, here she is—a walking miracle.

Boldly Approaching our Father

When Jesus asked, “Who touched Me?” the woman came before Him trembling. Imagine her emotional and physical state—overjoyed, overwhelmed, relieved, shocked, perhaps even fearful. Yet, she came forward and honestly confessed to Jesus and those surrounding Him that it was indeed her.

What a beautiful truth that we, too, can boldly approach our Heavenly Father. We can come to Him with our struggles, our desires, and our needs. Walking intimately with the Lord is one of the greatest blessings we have as believers in Christ:

“Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need.” (Hebrews 4:16, NKJV)

Faith Like a Mustard Seed

Unlike the woman in Luke 8, we do not need to physically touch Jesus’ garment. We need only faith as big as a mustard seed:

“If you have faith as a mustard seed, you will say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move; and nothing will be impossible for you.” (Matthew 17:20, NKJV)

As you reflect on the hidden struggles in your life—the burdens that may be too painful to speak aloud—ask yourself: who or what do you turn to in your moments of desperation?

If you could touch the hem of His garment today, would your faith make you whole?

---

If this post resonated with you, please leave a comment below!