When Faith Feels Frustrated: Martha’s Story—Hearing Jesus Daily Devotional
Martha from the Gospel of John is often remembered for being outspoken, impulsive, and strong-willed. But her story reveals something deeper—her raw honesty with Jesus shows a relationship built on trust and closeness.
When she brings her frustration to Him, we see not only her bold faith but also how Jesus meets us in our own moments of questioning and grief. This episode explores Martha’s spiritual depth and how her interaction with Jesus can shape the way we approach Him today.
SHE HEARS CHAPTER 4
Martha
Sometimes we come to Jesus not with quiet trust—but with frustration, questions, and pain.
In She Hears, the story of Martha in John 11 is one of those moments where real faith doesn’t look polished—it looks raw. Her brother has died. Jesus didn’t come in time. And when He finally arrives, Martha doesn’t hold back.
“Lord,” Martha said to Jesus, “if You had been here, my brother would not have died.” — John 11:21
This is what faith looks like in the middle of disappointment. Martha believed in who Jesus was. She believed in His power. But she also felt the sting of delay. Her grief was real. Her frustration was honest.
And Jesus met her in it.
He didn’t scold her. He didn’t dismiss her. Instead, He offered one of the most powerful declarations in all of Scripture:
“I am the resurrection and the life.” — John 11:25
Martha’s story reminds us that faith isn’t about pretending everything’s fine. It’s about bringing our honest selves to Jesus—even when we’re hurting, even when we don’t understand His timing.
In a culture where women often had to suppress emotion or defer spiritual conversations to men, Martha speaks boldly. And Jesus receives her—not as an interruption, but as a friend.
She Hears explores how Martha teaches us to:
Bring our honest questions to God
Trust His character when His timing feels confusing
Hold space for both belief and grief
Maybe you’re in a season like Martha’s—where it feels like God is late. Like you prayed, but the miracle didn’t come. This chapter reminds us: Jesus didn’t ignore her pain. He entered into it. And He does the same with us.
Because real relationship with Jesus can handle real emotions. He invites us to come as we are—not just in worship, but in tears, questions, and even frustration.
Want to walk deeper through Martha’s story? We spent an entire week with her on the Hearing Jesus podcast—six powerful episodes that unpack what it means to trust God even when life doesn’t go according to plan.
Listen to the full series using this link.
pray with me
Lord, You know the places where I’m tired of waiting. The prayers that feel unanswered. The pain I still carry. Thank You for meeting me there. Help me, like Martha, to hold on to who You are even when I don’t understand what You’re doing. I trust that You are still the Resurrection and the Life.
In Jesus’ name, Amen.
