Scripture:
Mark 5:36 (NKJV)
"As soon as Jesus heard the word that was spoken, He said to the ruler of the synagogue, “Do not be
afraid; only believe.”"
Devotion Title: Only Believe
– Mark 5:36 (NKJV)
(“Do not be afraid; only believe.” )
These words were spoken by Jesus to Jairus, a synagogue leader who had just received the worst
news of his life: his daughter had died. Imagine the whiplash of emotions – from urgently hoping
Jesus would heal his sick girl, to hearing it was too late. In that moment of crushing fear and grief,
Jesus issues a gentle but firm command: Don’t yield to fear; keep on believing. Essentially, “Fear not,
have faith.” Jesus then proceeded to Jairus’s house and raised the little girl back to life, proving that
no situation is beyond God’s power. This encounter teaches us the importance of maintaining faith
even when circumstances scream that all hope is lost. “Do not be afraid, only believe” has become a
timeless encouragement for us. It doesn’t mean that our problems are trivial or that we live in denial.
It means that we choose to trust Jesus in spite of the bad report, the grim diagnosis, or the sudden
crisis. Fear tells us, “It’s over. Give up.” Faith responds, “Jesus is here, and He has the final say.” In
our own lives, we often face moments where bad news or daunting challenges threaten to swamp us
with fear. It could be a phone call from the doctor, a financial collapse, a relationship falling apart, or
any “word that was spoken” that knocks the wind out of us. Right then, in the midst of that, we hear
Jesus whisper through Scripture and His Spirit: Don’t be afraid; just trust Me. Choosing Faith over
fear means deliberately focusing on who Jesus is – compassionate, powerful, and faithful – rather
than on the size of the problem. Jairus had just witnessed Jesus heal another person (the woman
with the issue of blood) on the way; he had reasons to trust Jesus’s word over the bleak news. We
too have reasons: countless promises in God’s Word, past experiences of His faithfulness, and above
all, the cross and resurrection which forever declare His love and power. Sometimes the outcome,
like in Jairus’s case, is a miraculous turnaround. Other times, faith carries us through a loss or trial
differently. But in every case, Jesus’ call is the same: “Only believe.” Fear doesn’t get to dominate our
hearts – not when our Savior is in the room. He asks us for the mustard seed of faith so He can show
Himself strong. What fear are you facing today? Hear Jesus speaking the same words to you, and
take courage.
Reflection Questions:
1. What personal situation right now is tempting me to “be afraid” or give into despair? What
would it look like in practice to “only believe” in that situation?
2. Can I recall a time when a bad situation turned around as I trusted God (or when God gave me
peace/strength even if it didn’t turn out as I hoped)? How does that memory encourage me to
trust Him now?
3. Are there any “negative reports” or voices amplifying fear in my life (news, people, inner
thoughts)? How can I counter those with the voice of Jesus and the truth of His Word?
Prayer:
Lord Jesus, Your words “Do not be afraid; only believe” speak directly to my heart today. You know
the specific fears and discouragements I am facing. I confess that, like Jairus, I am often quick to fear
when I get bad news or see things falling apart. Please help me fix my eyes on You instead of the
storm. I choose to trust Your word and Your love above what my eyes see or my ears hear. You have
the final authority in every situation. Strengthen my faith, Lord. Silence the voices of fear and doubt
within me, and let Your voice ring louder: “Only believe.” I place [mention your specific situation] in
Your hands and believe that You are working for good. Thank You for being trustworthy and for
walking with me through every season. In Your mighty name, Amen.
Practical Application:
● Faith flashcards – Write Jesus’ phrase “Do not be afraid; only believe” on a card, along with a
few other short promises (for instance, “All things are possible to him who believes – Mark
9:23” or “I am the Lord who heals you – Exodus 15:26”). Keep these cards handy (in your
wallet, on your nightstand) and review them especially when you receive discouraging news or
find yourself worrying.
● Limit the fear feed – If you realize a lot of your input is fueling fear (excessive news, negative
people who lack faith, etc.), consider setting boundaries. Take a fast from things that spike
your anxiety for a few days. Instead, immerse yourself in faith-building input: testimonies,
uplifting worship music, reading the Gospels.
● Take a step of faith – Identify one action that aligns with “only believe” in your context. For
example, if you’re praying for a prodigal child, that step might be writing them a loving note of
hope. If you’re facing illness, it could be speaking words of life and healing over yourself daily.
Act as someone who trusts that Jesus is at work, even before you see the outcome.
Takeaway Thought:
When fear knocks on the door of your heart with bad news, let faith answer by clinging to Jesus’
words: “Do not be afraid—only believe.” Trust Him, and watch Him bring light into the darkest
situations.