Suffering is most difficult to endure when we feel alone and that no one cares about us. Hebrews reassures us that we are never alone - we are surrounded by so many unseen witnesses and companions, all of whom are there to guide and encourage us. Jesus was able to focus entirely on the joy that is God and this enabled him to endure suffering, humiliation, and death. It is a friendly universe and when our minds and hearts are focused on God even the stars in the sky work on our behalf.

Indeed our faith is the strongest and most important ingredient in any act of healing. This faith - trust in the goodness and compassion of God - enabled the woman with the flow of blood to persevere and push beyond all the boundaries of her culture and tradition. She would not accept rejection and defeat. Jesus did not have a magic robe - he assures her that her faith was the key element of her healing. The people gathered for the funeral of Jairus' daughter lacked that element of faith in the power and goodness of God and they ridicule Jesus because he insists that the girl is only sleeping. Jesus had to demonstrate the power and goodness of God. How many miracles have we blocked by fear, doubt, and unbelief?