I shared this devotion over at Proverbs 31 Ministries yesterday and thought you might enjoy it too. Here you go!
Have you ever gone through a situation and wondered, God, where are You? If You had been here, this wouldn’t have happened?
The loss of a loved one?
The crash of a car?
The devastation of property?
Did you know that two women in the Bible felt the same way…and actually told Jesus just how they felt about it!
Jesus loved Mary, Martha, and their brother, Lazarus. He often stopped by their home for a hot meal during His travels. I’d dare say they were some of His closest friends. And yet, when the women sent someone to tell Jesus that their brother was sick, He didn’t go…at least not right away.
The Bible tells us, “So, when he heard that Lazarus was sick, he stayed where he was two more days, and then he said to his disciples, “Let us go back to Judea” (John 11:6-7 NIV).
It’s the word “so” that stops me in my tracks. He loved them “so” He didn’t go.
The sentence doesn’t say, but He stayed there two more days, as if it were a careless mistake. It says so as if it were a calculated plan. It was.
Once Jesus decided to return to Bethany of Judea, His disciples tried to talk Him out of it. A short while ago, the folks there had tried to kill Him. But Jesus wasn’t worried.
He told them plainly, “Lazarus is dead, and for your sake I am glad I was not there, so that you may believe. But let us go to him” (John 11:14-15).
Hold on just a minute. Did you catch what Jesus just said? “I’m glad I wasn’t there.” Why was Jesus glad that one of His best friends had died? Because God had a greater plan. Sometimes what feels like God’s delay is actually God’s design.
When I go through something painful, I don’t want a friend to say to me, “I’m glad it happened.” If they did, they wouldn’t be a friend much longer. However, God sees what we can’t see. Sometimes what we have in mind is not what God has in store.
He knows that the mended heart can become much more stunning and substantially stronger than the unscathed soul. He looks through the lens of process to view the finished product we cannot see.
It’s hard when you read the stories in the Bible or hear about a modern-day miracle and know that God can do something but He’s not doing it for you. I’m sure it was hard for Mary and Martha who had seen Jesus do magnificent miracles to understand why he wasn’t doing one for them. We silently think, If God really loved me, He would…
Answer my prayer.
Stop the struggle.
Rush to my rescue.
Send me a husband.
Make me fertile.
Save my husband.
And He would do it now.
When Jesus finally arrived, Martha ran to Him and said, “If you had been here my brother would not have died” (John 11:21). Then Mary ran to Him and said the same words (John 11:32).
Two sisters. One conclusion.
Men and women throughout the Bible voiced their disappointment when God didn’t act as they had hoped. Even Jesus, when He hung on the cross, didn’t call out the comforting words of the twenty-third Psalm but the agonizing words of the twenty-second.
God promises that He will never leave us nor forsake us. And yet, when we are in the dark chapters of our story, it can feel as if He is far, far away. And we wonder why He didn’t stop the thing that tore our world apart.
After Jesus spoke to Martha and Mary, He walked to Lazarus’s tomb—a cave sealed by a large stone. Nothing going in. Nothing coming out. Or so it seemed. Then Jesus said, “Lazarus come out” and he did.
Sometimes a seemingly bad thing happens so that God’s best can be born. Jesus told Martha, “Did I not tell you that if you believed, you would see the glory of God?” (John 11:40).
God frees us from our small, short-sided interpretations to reveal a complex multi-layered ending that makes our jaws drop. All the while asking, “Will you trust me?”
And when we echo Martha’s cry, God where are you? His answer is always, I’m right here. Working all this out for your good.
Father, help me trust that You always have a better plan for my life than I could ever come up with on my own. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.
What difficult situation do you need to trust Jesus with today? Leave a comment and let’s pray for each other.
Digging Deeper
Today’s devotion was an excerpt from my book, Never Less Than: Living Empowered, Esteemed, and Equipped When the World Tells You Otherwise. After selling out the warehouse during our Winter Sale, they are now back in stock.
Read about every interaction Jesus had with a woman in the gospels to see how the God-made-man broke the man-made-rules to set women (you) free!
Comments 83
Please for my children’s salvation and my son, Joshua, who is the midst of alcohol addiction and devastation.
Praying for your children
I’m asking for pray for my children. Please pray for my son Joshua… that God will guide his life and free him from addiction
I’m the caregiver for my mother who has dementia. I am at a place where u need to make some hard decisions and not sure what I’m going to do. My mom has always been my rock and now she is only a shell of a person… her confusion has increased and nothing she says makes any sense. I’ve seen God’s work in all of this and he’s been so faithful but my spirit is struggling trust Him and His plan right now.
My difficult situation would be my health issues for about 4 yrs now with nerve pain / back issues / low iron . I’m
Trusting God to give me daily strength & guide my steps to better health .
I’m praying and believing for my adult children to come back to God and for our relationship be restored. Amen
Prayer Request for financial restoration.
God allowed me to rupture my ACL and tear my meniscus when I was playing a sport I love And in the best shape I was in a long time. God has allowed this disruption so I would seek him. I have to believe that even this is part of his plan and for his good.
Please pray for my son Robert to get off the street and renew his relationship with his son
I have 3 adult children lost in the things if this world. Michael, Courtney and Britney. I do t know how to talk to them about the love of Jesus any more, they have turned me off. Please pray God sends others to them.
Please join ne in prayer for my son who is struggling with his faith. He has lost several jobs, depression is setting in, he can’t find a job, he is feeling hopeless and feels as if God has let him down and no longer cares for him.
My children and I are in the middle of transition with a divorce. It’s ugly, painful, my husband has been extremely mean and vindictive. He’s destructive. I pray God softens his heart for the sake of our kids. So we can find some peace in the middle of this storm.
We need time to work through sudden changes he’s thrust us in to with out any warning.
I am TRYING to trust God with my kidney disease which is rapidly becoming worse and I’m talking dialysis.
Please pray that my financial situation will get better and that I will use it wisely. Thanks.
3 years ago, husband and I divorced after 38 years of marriage. NOT an easy decision, but it seemed right at the time. Looking back, I wonder, should we have separated? It’s been 3 years and I wonder if I’ll ever remarry? My ex seems content with his new life of freedom. Sometimes I feel alone and desire companionship. I know I deserve love but I’m willing to wait for the right one. So for now and even forever, God is enough.
Hello,
I’m trusting God with my older son. He is estranged from me right now. We have been having a difficult time since he went away to college almost 3 years ago. He lives with his dad now, but has no job, and I don’t think he goes to school. He left the car I bought home behind. He hasn’t spoken to me in 7 months, even though we haven’t argued in 2 years. Last time I saw him was October 2025, and he hugged me and told me he would see me in a few weeks for my birthday. We spoke once a few days later, and then nothing since then. He’s not speaking to me, his younger brother, my parents who helped raise him, nor his step-dad. He also smokes marijuana, which I think is a big part of the problem. His dad allows it. He doesn’t answer my calls nor respond to my texts, but he uses the money I send him in our joint account right away. I pray and fast about this situation, but there hasn’t been any communication from him. His 21st birthday was last month, and I was so heartbroken that I didn’t get to see him or speak to him on his birthday. I’m trusting God to refine him in this season.
my son & daughter in law are homeless. Living in her car in East Stroudsburg, PA.
They have 2 little girls both on the spectrum 7 & 3 who are living with us so they can be safe but they miss their mom & dad. I pray their mom & dad will find their way to God and their little girls
I’m having intense nerve pain from a pinched nerve in my neck that has gone on for 3 months… and my breast cancer count has risen. I will have a pet scan next week. I know God is faithful. He has been so faithful in the past. Your writing is such an encouragement to me.
We are facing a lawsuit that is so unfair and could be devastating to us. I’ve asked God to intervene, give us the miracle we need, and yet it continues. We are absolutely not guilty of the things charged and I’m having such a hard time understanding how He could allow this to go on. Waiting is so hard, and though I know He is faithful, it’s hard to deal with, and the possible consequences. Please pray for us
I am praying for a financial miracle. Amen.
Please pray for my daughter, Amanda and her family. Her husband went to jail for domestic violence. He is alcoholic and he needs help. She is in the cycle where she is missing him and wants him back and will give him another chance. Their relationship is unhealthy and they are co-dependent on each other. I am praying for God’s will and for both of them to get the help they need and for God to heal them. If it is God’s will for them to get back together after their healing, that’s okay, but they both need help, healing and distance right now. Thank you.
This sounds really good,but when you are really hurting you just need to hear from God sometimes you don’t know whitch way to go.
Please pray that the Lord opens my daughter’s womb to conceive. She has been trying two and a half years and nothing yet. Thank you!
Please pray for me and my son, Zion. For years I have endured abuse from his dad and waiting on Gods on deliverance. In February, we were evicted and moved in with my friend’s family. Yesterday, I was told that I have to leave their home and I don’t know where to go. I’ve applied for hundreds of jobs just to be rejected. I’ve started a business but I’m having trouble growing it.
My daughter Aimee will see Jesus and want to worship him. Not to worry about her past just go on with Jesus and grow spiritually.
I have a dear friend who’s been health challenged for over two years, so many of us have been covering her in pray but we see one attack after another. Lord its difficult not seeing her healed but help me see that my praying for her healing is not wasted time and see her healed on this side.
In August 1977, I was 8 mos pregnant with my 2nd child. Had a 14 month old little boy, Jason, and was looking forward to his having a brother or sister to grow up with. Unfortunately, or so I thought at the time, I delivered a perfectly formed stillborn little boy whom I named Joshua David (in my heart) because back then, funeral home just came & took my son & buried him. No pictures, no service – nothing but a memory of holding my precious child for a short time in a darkened recovery room. Gone!!
In 1979, I delivered a beautiful baby boy we eventually named Scott. He was such a joy! His older brother & Dad both loved this sweet gift from God.
Life happened, both good & bad aspects, and it wasn’t until many years later that I realized if GOD had not allowed Joshua to come home to HIM, I would probably not have been blessed by the arrival of Scott!!! Took me a long time to come to that conclusion. Your devotional confirmed that again for me as I’m now 76 & thinking I just may get to meet Joshua in a few years! Both Jesus & Joshua waiting to greet me as I finally get to “go home!”
Hello, please pray for answers and relief with a health problem I am having. God has walked with me thru so many. It’s just so hard when I’m feeling bad and still have to work, function, and do everything being self employed and single. God please give me answers and relief! Thank you Lord for always having a perfect plan…
My husband and I both going through trials….loss of his part time job(we both only have social security checks to get us through( financial strain)…strain in our marriage…
Adult children and the choices they are making as well as grandchildren 😢
But I cling to God’s promises everyday!
The one scripture He pressed upon my heart a few days ago…
Proverbs 3: 5-6
“Trust in the Lord with all your heart, And lean not on your own understanding: In all your ways acknowledge Him and He shall direct your paths”
Praying for all you sisters in Christ!
Thank you Sharon!
I would love prayer for continued strength and trust in the Lord’s provision and plan as I continue to handle the dispersement of items after my mom’s graduation to Heaven. There has been so much difficulty with a sibling regarding this area and I’m looking forward to closing this final chapter in this process. It’s been a long road and I’m feeling drained and disappointed at times. I know the Lord is with me, I just need additional stamina and faith to believe there is an end in sight and doors will be opened and closed as I continue to do the job that I’ve been given. Most importantly, I want to honor the Lord and my mom during this process.
My husband has been out of work for 11 months and hasn’t been able to find another job. We have used all our savings, and my income isn’t enough to cover our expenses. We have 3 kids, and I don’t know what else to do. We have been praying constantly, but we feel very discouraged.
I pray my adult son returns to the Christian faith and he and his family are saved in God’s love
I moved two years ago f rom Long Island NY to Georgia to live with my granddaughter and her then 6 year old son. I left a church that was my family had friends served in several different ministries, attended 3 different bible studies every week. In these two years here i have attended one bible study but haven’t made one connection. I am very lonely and depressed
I would love prayer for continued strength and trust in the Lord’s provision and plan as I continue to handle the dispersement of items after my mom’s graduation to Heaven. There has been so much difficulty with a sibling regarding this area and I’m looking forward to closing this final chapter of this process. It’s been a long road and I’m feeling drained and disappointed at times. I know the Lord is with me, I just need additional stamina and faith to believe that the right doors will open and closed at the proper time as I continue to do the job that I’ve been given. Most importantly, I want to honor the Lord and my mom with my actions and demeanor.
I have been praying DAY/NIGHT that our children will accept Christ as their personal savior! They all know the word of God and I know it’s in his timing. Praying that God sends the Christian women he has picked out for them soon! In Jesus precious name, AMEN!
My friend, Pam, just had a CT scan of her neck and it shows blocked carotid arteries. Please pray the damage is reversible and she gets the treatment she needs ASAP. Thank you, Sharon. I’ve been following you since Girl Friends in God showed up on my feed. I look forward to your email each week.
Blessings, blessings, and blessings to each one of you and your family.
God is in the blessing business. I just have to share how he held me like a baby last night when I was feeling so overly anxious. The calmness that I woke up with nothing shorter than amazing.
Everyone have a Glorious day in Jesus name. Amen
A beautiful family in our community suffered a devastating loss. Husband and 15 yr old son died in a fire. The mother/wife and a brother are left to understand. They were/ are true believers. Trying to see God’s plan in this.
My husband and I are are emptynesters. We both lost our dad’s several months ago just a few months apart. My dad had lived with us and I have been his caregiver for 9 1/2 years. This might seem trivial compared to other requests for Prayor. Our dog of 12 years is the light of our life and was a special companion to my dad! While we are trying to adjust to his absence, she has begun sneezing, one nostril, and it’s going to require special testing to determine if it is related to dental, something that got up her nose and has caused infection, or a cancerous tumor.
She is like a child to us and we don’t want her to suffer, but we’re asking for prayer that hers is a fixable issue and not a terminal situation.
I will also be praying with others of you today that God will work in your situations and give you peace!
Edits…
Prayer not Prayor
Sneezing blood from one nostril
Thank you
Pray for my son to leave the lifestyle he’s chosen and for both of our adult children to come back to the Lord.
I would appreciate prayers for my son who lives in addiction. Ask our loving God to pull my son out of that slimy pit and return him to my husband and I as we miss him so much.
Trying to be a caregiver for my husband. It is getting harder to take. Care of him. Really don’t want to put him in a nursing home. Trying to keep my self healthy so I can take care of him. He is so discouraged
I am in a season of bad health and struggling with my only child leaving home. I pray for healing, peace and protection over her and her future. I’m believing in Jesus name!
I am going on two years of unemployment. I am desperate for a job. Please pray!
Going through the miscarriage of our first baby. Praying for healing and future children 🙏
Prayers for freedom from alcohol addiction.
Been making. huge mistakes and now lost my job. I know I need to trust GOD that he has a plan and his timing is perfect. Please pray that I lean into him and not myself.
Sharon,
My only daughter who I have been very close with her entire life, she is now 45 & has not contacted me since March a year ago. I shared just a little bit of what Jesus meant to me to my then 16 year old granddaughter. I also have a granddaughter that is 14. Their father is Jewish & they are being raised Jewish so don’t believe Jesus is God’s son. My daughter is a Christian but has gotten mixed up with worldly things & told me to never mention Jesus or God to her or her girls. She used to go to school & say she was so happy because she was in love with Jesus. Now she doesn’t even want His name mentioned. This is truly hard for me. I ask for prayers for all of them that GOD will speak to their hearts. 💕
Sharon,
My only daughter who I have been very close with her entire life, she is now 45 & has not contacted me since March a year ago. I shared just a little bit of what Jesus meant to me to my then 16 year old granddaughter. I also have a granddaughter that is 14. Their father is Jewish & they are being raised Jewish so don’t believe Jesus is God’s son. My daughter is a Christian but has gotten mixed up with worldly things & told me to never mention Jesus or God to her or her girls. She used to go to school & say she was so happy because she was in love with Jesus. Now she doesn’t even want His name mentioned. This is truly hard for me. I ask for prayers for all of them that GOD will speak to their hearts. 💕
My daughter and her husband are trying to get full custody of their granddaughter, Aria, who is 2 1/2 years old and has tested positive for cocaine and marijuana while in the mother’s care. She does not need to be returned to her mother. Please pray for this precious child and her grandparents as well.
To restore/mend the relationship between my daughter in law and myself and my granddaughter and myself. It has fractured and I don’t know why because they won’t tell me what I did wrong. And my son won’t tell me because he has to live with his wife and he has to put his wife first, which I understand.
Please pray for my daughter. The devil is attacking her heart, mind, thoughts for the past 3 years. I am asking God to break her free from the bondage of lies, deceit, anxiety, fear, anger and resentment. I pray God restores her whole being with joy, love, peace and that she walks into her God Given purpose fully trusting God’s plan. Please also pray for a job opportunity to open up for her with good pay and benefits. Claiming God’s victory over my daughter and her life in Jesus Mighty Name!
Please pray 🙏 for my beloved brother FLOYD who has blood cancer!!! He needs a miracle!!
Please pray for my beloved brother FLOYD he has blood cancer. He needs a MIRACLE!!!!!
Where 2 or more are gathered. Thank you for the opportunity to ask for prayer for my daughter Lindsey that she will be delivered from drug addiction, from the boyfriend who beats her and she will get favor in family court as her kids dad has filed a case against her.
I pray for restoration of my family and the courage to trust God and not worry.
Please pray for my husband and I to conceive again. I had a tube removed last September due to an erupted ectopic. Another negative test today.
This devotional and the requests of others came at a great time.
I’m also struggling with adhd and the ministry in trying to do for God at my church…I’m not capable but God is!!
My son, who is fighting addiction to drugs and alcohol.
My husband and I to find love again.
My other children to love and forgive the one fighting addiction,
Thank you m, Sharon
Thank you for this story of Lazarus and Mary and Martha. I have been asking God where are you. I fell and broke my foot and have been non weight bearing for 3 weeks, still have 5 weeks to go. I am worried about my job, and money, will I be able to go back to work? What will I do? I know God has a plan, it’s so hard to be still and wait.
Both of my young adult children struggle with chronic illnesses. Please pray they will learn to turn to the Lord and let him guide their lives. Please pray for healing.
This morning something happened to me and I was crying out to God, God where were you when I thought You got my back and would not let me sin? I was down but I cried and read some scriptures that I wrote down on paper and taped them to my wall. I read Hebrews 12:2, John 14:6, 1 Peter 17:7, and Psalms 46:10. God seemed to be telling me to remember Him at all times. That He is God and is still in control. I didn’t do my morning walk as I was really down and out and just want to shut out what happened to me that night. But I showered and washed my hair and did my Johnny Chang Devotion. He talked about the heart posture for the Love of money. The Love of money reveals what kind of person you are. How you are with the money. It’s the root to all evil. I guess now I think about it, there’s something in me that i haven’t released to the Lord. I guess it would be my heart posture when it comes to the opposite sex. I need to address it to the Lord. Thank you Sharon for this message on those 2 women: Martha and Mary when they were questioning Jesus where was He? Had He been there their brother wouldn’t die. Where was Jesus? Why did i think that He would be watching over me but He didn’t prevent that abomination from happening? I would have to trust God and rely on Him more and surrender everything to Him.
Madelyn, I am really concerned about you. Was a crime committed against you? It sounds like you need to reach out to somebody for help…is there someone you can talk to in person? This doesn’t sound like a problem to tackle alone. Moses needed Aaron, David needed Jonathan, Naomi needed Ruth…
I am praying for you!
Erin
Author
Great advice.
My children need prayer
in and for their respective work places. That God would intervene and touch the lives of colleagues.
What difficult situation do you need to trust Jesus with today? The difficult situation I need to trust God with are my finances (over the top blessing so we can move out of our temporary situation); my health, and become debt free.
Prayer that God would bring a buyer for our house that’s been on the market for 10 months. That we would receive a fair offer and it would sell quickly. Also for patience as we trust God’s perfect timing and plan for our lives.
Please pray that my health will be restored. I have a lot of autoimmune issues that has left me losing my balance, given me extreme brain fog etc. I trust that God has a better plan for me🙏🏼
Please pray for my marriage and my adult children. Thank you for your prayers and blessings to ALL.
Please pray for my husband who has been searching for employment in his field and is willing to look for other related opportunities. The doors keep closing for the last 9 mths and we’re not ready or prepared to stop working. We know God has a plan yet the silence is very hard and the unknown is getting too much to bear.
Please pray for our daughter that God will restore her life’s decisions, open her eyes to be more inlined with God’s plan, as she loosing out on life’s opportunities where she is living now and in a stagnant dark sheltered controlled atmosphere. Thanks.
I’m in a similar situation where it feels like God is silent and the unknowns are getting too much to bear. That’s what drew me to your post. With that, I prayed for you and your family this morning! I went through each thing you mentioned, piece by piece. (7/1/26)
My 26 year old son is having some health issues with his foot. He is a lineman and has just bought his first house. I am concerned, but know God can ! Want to see him come back to God as well, praying God will use this time to bring him back into a relationship.
My son, William, stop believing in God several years ago.
Sharon, this was a much needed love letter from God ❤️ Thank you for it. He sent another love letter last week, too! Our God-loving daughter and husband have been unable to conceive…and we are broken hearted for them. This is not about us being grandparents, this is our desire for them to experience the incredible gift of pregnancy and life!
I’m late to this devotion, but everyone who went before me was prayed over 🙏🏾
I need some guidance from the Holy Spirit. I am leaving my church to find another I no longer feel I am growing or will be allowed to grow beyond cooking meals, cleaning, and nursery duty. I do realize all those positions are important but I just feel called to do more. I am looking for a place that will allow me to grow into what God is calling me to be. I am not leaving angry or upset and I will continue with the friendship that I have created but I am ready for the next step. I just want to make sure I am hearing God correctly. Thank you for your prayers and peace and grace be with you.
My adult son doesn’t speak to me or his dad and sister. We did not have an argument, he just slowly stopped texting us back. I had to tell him I was going to do a welfare check if he didn’t let me know he was alive. He responded “I’m alive” that was in November. Heart breaking. Praying for patience while I wait for god in this chapter.
A medical issue that’s awaiting results. It could be something easily treatable or a diagnosis that’s a lifetime thing. I’m only thirty-five, This feels like it came out of nowhere. Right before this, I put in my two weeks at work, because I truly felt it was what I needed and what the Lord wanted me to do. Now with this medical issue, I’m feeling numb and just really thrown off, perplexed, at what’s going on. Prayers appreciated. Thank you.
My 2 young foster daughters had to be removed from my care due to their bio dad’s threats to kill me (despite him losing his parental rights over a year ago). I am worried about the safety of the girls while in their new home and I miss them terribly. Their foster care worker is not allowing me to contact the girls saying that doing so will disrupt their new routine which has been truly heartbreaking for me to deal with. Please pray for all parties involved as this is a truly a very confusing and troubling season.
Hello Sharon,
I enjoy your insight!
We Got a new spirit in us and no more reflecting old housing. God walks with us even when we do not make our life his standard home.
We are so Blessed!!!!
Good morning Sharon,
This post has ministered to me so much. I have read it multiple times and each time said to myself I must leave a comment. Today is the day. The day the Holy Spirit stopped me until I left a comment. The Holy Spirit breathes new life on us. I am praying for that breath of life on my husbsnd and myself. My husband has a chronic illness, POTS, that cannot be cured, just managed. I am in a totally toxic work environment. Praying for a fresh breath of the Holy Spirit to breathe new life on us and resurrect us like Lazarus. Bless you!
Storms knocked out our power and we’ve been navigating no electricity for 36 hours in humidity and heat. This devotional really blessed me this morning!
Please pray for the Lord to keep blessing and ordering my steps as I wait expectantly upon him for my next career opportunity. I have been waiting for a long season and my last role was one that was unjustly ended. I do believe that the Lord is always working and I pray that he will keep refining me and readying me to live his purpose. At times the wait gets discouraging and I struggle.
My husband has recently been diagnosed w pancreatic cancer. The diagnosis took several months, many drs and many tests and lots of waiting. Finally the right dr did the right test and diagnosed (stage 3) him (John). There have been several complications and John hasn’t even started trtmt yet. We need to get past some of these hurdles and get his strength built back up in order to start trtmt. Please pray fro God’s mercy to strengthen John and to be able to endure trtmt. I love my husband So Much, so do our children and grandchildren and his sisters and our friends. Please pray for God to heal John thru the drs so we can have him w us awhile longer.
Please pray for my grand daughter Elaina. Her birth mother was a drug addict and Elaina has some major anxiety/anger issues. She gets very destructive and violent when she doesn’t get what she wants. She is 13 years old. Was adopted at birth. My daughter and husband are at the end of their rope.