A new year with new challenges…and a few old ones that slid right on over into 2026 like grease on a slick countertop.
Tell me, have you ever wanted to throw up your hands because the same old struggles cling to your heart and wrap around your soul year after year?
“Why bother! I’ve prayed. I’ve tried. I’ve cried. And nothing ever changes! New year, same old struggle.” Any of that sound familiar?
Perhaps like me you’ve quoted the words, “All things are possible for those who believe,” but a little voice inside whispers back, “possible, but not probable.”
Can I take you over to a passage I’ve been pondering this week? Jesus arrived on the scene in Mark 5, and a crowd of people gathered round. Jairus, one of the synagogue rulers, parted the sea of onlookers and fell at Jesus’ feet. He pled earnestly with the Healer, “My little daughter is dying. Please come and put your hands on her so that she will be healed and live.” So, Jesus went with him. Just like that. Just that simple.
But then Jesus was interrupted by someone I’ve come to love. She’s called the women with the issue of blood. Jesus stopped for her. Healed her. Blessed her. And that took time…which isn’t really a problem for the one to created time itself.
After the healing, Jesus turned to go with Jarius to see about his daughter. But then, a couple of Jairus’ friends showed up with the news: “Your daughter is dead,” they said. “Why bother the teacher anymore?”
Why bother? There it is.
Maybe you feel that way as you head into another year with the same old struggle.
Oh sister, that is EXACTLY what the devil wants you to say.
I’ve tried to have a loving marriage, but it’s never going to change. Why bother?
I’ve tried to lose weight, but I’m still fifty pounds overweight. Why bother?
I’ve tried to exercise regularly, but something always gets in the way. Why bother?
I’ve already made so many parenting mistakes, it’s too late to change now. Why bother?
I’ve prayed for my brother to come to Christ, but he’s meaner than ever. Why bother?
I’ve looked for a job for ten months and keep getting rejected. Why bother?
I’ve tried to remain sexually pure but keep falling into temptation. Why bother?
I work so hard at my job, but no one seems to notice. Why bother?
I could go on. I have my own list of why bothers. Satan has uniquely crafted one specifically for me, just as he has crafted one specifically for you.
One day I had a why bother breakdown. Several little gnawing termites of trouble had been nibbling away at my heart for weeks. And then I got a discouraging email from a woman who fussed at me for having a typo in my devotion. I threw up my hands and cried out: “Why bother!” But then Jesus reminded me of Mark 5.
What did Jesus do? (Oh, I love this!) Let’s pick up in verse 36.
“Ignoring what they said, Jesus told the synagogue ruler, ‘Don’t be afraid; just believe.’”
Ignoring
What
They
Said
Ponder that. He ignored the naysayers. He ignored the doubters.
And sometimes the voice we need to ignore is our own.
Jesus kept walking. He kept moving toward the miracle. When he went to Jairus’ home and told the mourners that the little girl was not dead, but simply asleep, they laughed at him.
They
Laughed
At
Him
What did Jesus do next (Oh I love this too!) “He put them all out.”
He
Put
Them
Out
He put them out and shut the door. He simply went into the room, performed the miracle, and then went on His way to His next assignment…leaving all the doubters scratching their heads.
So, what are we going to do about those why bother moments that are sure to come in 2026? Give up? Give in? Give way?
Here’s what I’m going to do, and I hope you’ll join me. When I feel a “why bother” rising in my throat, I’m going to ignore the voice in my head and keep moving toward my victory.
When I sense the devil planting a “not probable” in the middle of my “all things are possible,” I’m going to ignore him and keep moving toward my miracle.
When others tell me “Why bother” and encourage me to lower my expectations to the mediocrity of lukewarm believers, I’m going to ignore them and keep moving toward my calling.
When doubts hop on like fleas and discouragement dumps on me like rain, I’m going to turn to Mark 5 and read the story all over again.
How about you? Want to join me. If so, leave a comment that says, “I’m going to keep moving toward my miracle.”
Mighty God, thank You for the gift of a new year. Help me to listen to the right voice—Yours, and make the right choice. Give me the courage and strength to keep praying, keep believing, and keep obeying Your Word. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.