What happens when kindness seems to mock you? When prayers go unanswered and God feels distant, we often conclude He's indifferent or we're unworthy. But what if divine resistance isn't rejection but invitation?

In this episode of The Resting Place podcast we explore Mark 7 where we encounter the story of a desperate mother—known in church history as Saint Eusta—whose encounter with Jesus initially seems troubling. When she begs for her daughter's healing, Jesus first ignores her, then appears to insult her. Yet within this tension lies a profound revelation about how God draws out what's true in our hearts.

"He didn't want anyone to know which house he was staying in, but he couldn't keep it a secret." This small detail reveals something essential about God's nature—He dwells in mystery yet continually invites us into intimacy. He is unsearchable yet asks us to search Him out. These paradoxes define our divine relationship, bringing us into complete dependence on grace.

The culturally shocking interaction between Jesus and this Gentile woman challenges our understanding of humility and care. Rather than viewing ourselves as "sinners stumbling from failure to failure," we're invited to see ourselves as beloved children being progressively transfigured into Christ's image. This transformation doesn't require perfection—it requires honesty.

Most of us don't share honestly with God because we don't feel safe. We fear judgment, believing if He truly saw our darkness, He would reject us. Yet the opposite is true: "He's not silent because He's unfeeling or uncaring. He's silent because He won't deal with the imposter that stands in front of Him." When we finally open the dark corners of our hearts, saying "There's nothing hidden from you, Abba," transformation accelerates.

How might your prayer life change if you stopped trying to impress God and simply became real with Him? What honest conversation is He waiting to have with you today?

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