January 27, 2026
”But Jesus ignored their comments and said to Jairus, “Don’t be afraid. Just trust me.”” – Mark 5:36 (TLB)
Jesus Overruled the Voices:Story of Jairus in Mark 5
Mark 5 (TLB) gives us a direct solution to the bad news that often triggers intense worry and anxiety. It’s the moment in time when our logic says ‘it’s over’, but Jesus shows us a different path.
In Mark 5:36, we find Jesus with a man named Jairus, one of the rulers of the synagogue. He had come to Jesus to beg for the life of his daughter. Jairus told Jesus that she was on the verge of death. If He would just “Please come and place Your hands on her and make her live.”(Mark 5:23 TLB) Jesus followed Jairus to his house.
Prior to Jesus, Jairus, the disciples, and a “great multitude” reaching the man’s home, some came from his house and advised Jairus that his daughter had died and there was no reason for Jesus to come.
Mark 5:36, in The Living Bible uses the phrase “ignored their comments.” Jesus heard the “comments” and ignored them. He spoke, immediately to Jairus, told him to not be afraid and to trust Him. He didn’t give the man the opportunity to spiral out of control or to be washed away with grief.
Today, we are bombarded by “comments”- negative news, so-called expert opinions, and fearful “what ifs”. Jesus shows us the way to overcome that kind of fear. We must intentionally ignore the negative voices of hopelessness and choose what information we will believe.
When Jesus told Jairus to not fear and trust Him, it was not a suggestion-it was a command. He didn’t give him the option whether or not to believe. Nor did He give him time to think about it. He quickly offset the fear and called him to trust. This tells us that the minute the fear arrives is the minute we must trust.
Jesus doesn’t ask us for a one-time feeling. He calls us to a steady, continuous attitude of reliance on Him, even when the facts seem to contradict His promises.
Devotional:When the News is Bad
We’ve all had a “Jairus moment”. The minute a phone call, a test result, or a bank statement comes to deliver news that seems bad and final. The messengers in this story told Jairus that his daughter was dead. There “was no point in Jesus coming anymore” (Mark 5:35)(TLB). They were, basically, telling him to give up because the situation had “moved beyond even God’s help.”
Jesus’ response? To ignore the messengers. He didn’t argue with them. He also did not deny the truth of the situation; He simply chose to ignore them. He was focused on not letting their words settle in Jairus’ heart.
We hear, listen to, and overhear things every day. While it is all taking information into our ears, it affects our anxiety differently. Hearing is what Jairus did. He heard the messengers tell him the bad news about his daughter. Jesus stopped the conversation before it was listened to. Jesus didn’t give it a chance to be taken in and processed by commanding him not to be afraid. Listening can really amp up our anxiety quickly. Overhearing is another dangerous culprit. This is, primarily, because we are hearing what we were never intended to hear. We only get half the story or it turns out to be something negative or sometimes about us.
Anxiety thrives on “overhearing”. We overhear the panic in the world, our own doubts, and the enemy’s lies. Jesus’ command to “Just trust me” is an invitation to close our ears-blocking out the noise-and to lock our eyes on His face. He’s telling us that, while what we heard may be fact, it’s not the last and final word because He’s still in the room.
Application:Ignore and Trust
What is one specific piece of news or a “comment” from your circumstances that has your anxiety amped up to high?
Practice your skill of ignoring. We have all had times where we have ignored someone or something-it’s not a new concept. When that fearful thought comes, say out loud “I choose to ignore that comment.” Immediately redirect your focus to the “character of Jesus” (the distinct moral and spiritual qualities, personality traits and ethical behavior of Jesus as recorded in the New Testament).
Redirecting your focus to the character of Jesus involves intentionally realigning yourself. Move away from self-improvement and worry and toward “surrender and consistency”.
- When you read your Bible, don’t read for volume. Read, specifically to discover Christ’s attributes-those things that are Christ; that make Him who He is.
- Pray throughout the day. Short “breath prayers” and “the Jesus Prayer.” Breath prayers are 2-3 word phrases you repeat in rhythm with your breathing. Inhale“Peace, be still”, exhale“Come, Lord Jesus” for example. The “Jesus Prayer”-silently pray “Lord Jesus Christ, have mercy on me”. This is a way to continually practice the presence of God.
- When you feel anxiety rising, have a mental “time out” to remind yourself of His eternal nature.
Just like prayer is exposure to God, intentionally reflecting His characteristics “imprints His image more deeply upon you”. Work on feeling compassion for the needy or be willing to forgive more quickly. Instead of asking “What do I want to do?”, ask “Who is God inviting me to become?” This will naturally realign your goals to match His.
Holding Your Peace in the Panic
As you jump back into a world filled with loud “noise” and discouraging information, remember you are a child of God. Therefore, you have the divine right to be selective about what you listen to. Don’t let the final conclusions of men settle in a heart that belongs to the God of impossible. Today, when the messengers of despair try to grab your attention, do as Jesus did:ignore the noise, keep a level head, and walk straight ahead in the quiet confidence that this chapter is not your final destination and no period has been put on the promises of your life.
Sticky Note Minute: “Ignore the noise and trust Him”
Honor the One Who Ignores
Before we bring our burdens and requests to the throne, we need to honor the One who doesn’t bat an eye at the reports that paralyze us. We trust in the Christ who shuts the door on hopelessness and proves that what the world calls an end is just a rest before His return. Let us give glory to the God who is never late, never overwhelmed, and never at a loss for the solution. To God, the Father of the adopted, be all glory, honor, and praise.
Amen
Lord of all, I have heard the bad news, and my heart is shaking. I confess that I’ve been listening more to the messengers of fear than trusting Your voice of peace. Right now, I choose to ignore the comments of the world and my own doubts. I put my “hopeless” situation in Your hands. Thank You for being the God who brings life out of death and hope out of despair. I choose to trust Your voice today. In Jesus’ Holy Name, Amen.
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Revelation 1:The First and the Last-Why You Don’t Have be Afraid