Do you believe John 3:16? Then why isn’t Mark 16:17–18 your daily life?
Hi, I’m Addison. You’re reading (or listening to) Bigger Than Me—a weekly guide devoted to removing the fears, doubts, and misconceptions that keep believers from healing the sick in everyday life.
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(Unsure if modern healing is something the Bible actually teaches? Start here.)
The family group chat was blowing up.
Three months until their wedding.
Chelsea had just gotten the news:
Torn ACL.
A pickup volleyball game had turned into surgery, recovery,
and a decision to delay her wedding or walk down the aisle on crutches.
I have to pray for her when I see her next.
Chelsea was on the couch, leg propped up, laptop open.
She walked me through the surgery timeline.
What it would mean.
What she and my brother-in-law were trying to figure out with the wedding.
I nodded.
Say something.
I shifted my weight. Looked at her again.
Started to open my mouth.
She kept talking.
I let her finish.
Then the conversation slowed and she turned back to her laptop.
I sat down at the table.
Opened my laptop.
Answered emails.
The next week, I came back determined.
I was going to do it this time.
She wasn’t there.
Out driving to meetings.
Wouldn’t be back in time.
Before I left, I pulled my brother-in-law aside.
“Hey, would she be okay if I prayed for her leg?”
“Yeah… I think she’d be okay with that.”
I nodded.
That should’ve been enough.
A few weeks later, I pulled up to my in-laws house as Chelsea was getting out of the car.
Just the two of us in the driveway.
I lingered near the trunk.
Pretending I forgot something.
Don’t wait.
She shut her door. Smiled. Started toward the house.
Say it.
I hesitated. Closed the trunk.
By the time I turned around, she was already inside.
The last time was at her house for a party.
At first it was just our families.
Plenty of time.
I waited.
Then other people started showing up.
Kids were running around. Conversations began stacking on top of each other.
I watched for another opening.
It never came.
Eventually she had the surgery.
Started physical therapy.
Everything moved on.
I didn’t.
“I’ll say something when it feels right.”
I wasn’t saying no.
I was waiting.
Waiting for it to feel natural.
Waiting for a clear opening.
Waiting for the moment where it wouldn’t be awkward.
I told myself I was being thoughtful.
I was just delaying.
That Wasn’t a Feeling
I thought I needed the right moment.
But I already had it.
Every time that thought came,
pray,
that was Him.
I didn’t need to feel ready.
I needed to obey.
A Prayer for Responding Right Away
Original graphic by Bryan Arcebal
Dear Father,
Thank You for directing me.
Thank You that You speak clearly.
Thank You that when You prompt me,
That is the moment.
Jesus, thank You for showing me what moving in confidence looks like.
You heard Your Father and moved.
Thank you for that same boldness.
Holy Spirit, thank You that You are with me in real time.
That I can trust You to bring what’s needed in every moment.
You are what makes me ready to act,
not a feeling or circumstance.
I let go of hesitation.
Of overthinking.
Of waiting for it to “feel right”.
When You speak,
I will respond.
I won’t hold back.
I won’t delay.
I trust You in the moment.
And I will act.
In Jesus’ name,
Amen.
Until next time,
Addison
