Let’s get honest for a moment. Really honest. Some days, you get up, and your heart feels so heavy. It’s as if it’s carrying a thousand-pound query: “Is Jesus really real?” And if He is… “Why do I still feel so unseen, unloved, and stuck?”
Maybe you’ve been praying and praying for healing in your relationship with someone you’re keen on—perhaps a toddler—and all you see are signs of distance, misunderstanding, silence, and even pain. The longer it continues, the more you begin to feel this ache creep in… this doubt. You begin to ask: “If Jesus rose from the dead, why can’t He resurrect this a part of my life?”
Oh, friend… I’ve been there. Let me speak to you, not only as someone who preaches, but as a mother, a girl of religion, and a daughter of the King who has struggled too. You usually are not alone. But here’s what I do know deep down in my bones—and what I would like to remind you of today: Jesus is real. And he really did rise up on that third day. This fact means every little thing.
Let’s start right here: the resurrection of Jesus Christ will not be a poetic metaphor. It’s not only a pleasant spiritual story that makes us feel higher. It is a historical fact—and it’s the very foundation of our faith. Paul says in 1 Corinthians 15:17-19:
“And if Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile; you might be still in your sins… If just for this life we have now hope in Christ, we’re of all people most to be pitied.”
But Paul wasn’t writing about an emblem. He saw the risen Christ along with his own eyes. He went from being a murderer of Christians to the best missionary the Church has ever known—due to one earth-shaking moment: Jesus showed up alive. Over 500 witnesses saw Him after the crucifixion (1 Corinthians 15:6). This wasn’t one man’s vision. It wasn’t wishful pondering. It was a verified event that flipped the Roman Empire on its head and altered history ceaselessly.
Why Does the Resurrection Matter to You?
It matters because if Jesus can rise from the grave, then no pain, no relationship, and no broken dream in your life is beyond His power to heal and redeem. This includes your relationship along with your son, your daughter, your spouse, and your friend. Even your work and profession dreams usually are not beyond His redemptive reach. But I would like you to listen to me clearly: Jesus’ resurrection doesn’t mean every little thing changes immediately.
Sometimes, the resurrection shows up first in you—before it ever shows up in them. That’s what happened with Mary Magdalene. Do you remember her? She was devastated. She thought her Savior was gone. But when she arrived on the tomb, she found something that didn’t make sense:
-An empty grave.
-And a voice that called her by name: “Mary.” (John 20:16)
-And identical to that… the resurrection became personal.
Not only a theological truth. Not only a Sunday school story. But love—for her, by name. And that is what I would like you to listen to right away. Jesus is asking you by name. He knows your tears. He knows your heartache. He knows how badly you would like reconciliation along with your son or daughter. He’s not ignoring you. He’s not far off. He’s right there, whispering through the pain: “I’m still alive. I’m still working. And I still love you.”
What Do We Do When We’re Still Waiting?
I understand that is the hard part. The waiting is painful, lonely, and isolating. Believing within the resurrection doesn’t mean we never struggle. It means we cling to hope even after we do.
Jesus rose on the third day. That means there have been two whole days of silence before the miracle happened.
-Two days during which the disciples thought it was over.
-Two days when Mary thought her heart would break.
-Two days when it gave the impression of evil had won.
There were two long days when total despair, confusion, and lack of vision looked as if it would prevail. But they didn’t know what was happening behind the scenes. They didn’t know that heaven was about to maneuver in power. So when you’re stuck in your “day two”… If you’re in a waiting season along with your child or a dream, and your heart feels unseen and unloved by God! Don’t walk away from the tomb just yet.
The stone will roll. The light will break through. The same power that raised Jesus from the dead is working in you and for you—even now. Romans 8:11 says:
“And if the Spirit of Him who raised Jesus from the dead resides in you, He who raised Christ from the dead can even give life to your mortal bodies…”
He’s not done. Not along with your story. Not along with your healing. Not along with your relationship along with your child or loved one. But you might want to stand. And there are steps to face in Resurrection Power! Let me leave you with a few of these practical steps to strengthen your faith today:
5 Steps to Stand within the Resurrection Power of Jesus
1. Speak the Resurrection Daily
Say it out loud if you feel weak: “
Jesus is alive. And because He got up, I can too.”
Declare it over your son. Over your loved ones. Over the things that feel dead.
2. Stay on the Tomb Until He Speaks
Like Mary, don’t leave in despair. Wait for Him. He all the time shows up. Maybe not how we expect, but all the time in love.
3. Feed Your Spirit the Truth
You don’t overcome doubt with feelings. You overcome it with truth. Fill yourself with Scripture that declares who Jesus is and what He’s done. Eat the guarantees of God. They are the food your Spirit will need to have to survive, to thrive, to win.
“I’m the resurrection and the life.” – John 11:25
“I’m the Living One. I used to be dead, and now look, I’m alive ceaselessly and ever!” – Revelation 1:18
He carried your sorrow. He bore your grief. And by His wounds, you might be healed. – Isaiah 53
4. Love Like You Believe. Live Like You Receive!
Keep loving your child or loved one as when you imagine Jesus will heal what’s broken. Keep embracing hope for that broken situation, as if it’s already healed—even if you don’t feel it, even when it hurts. That’s resurrection faith in motion.
5. Remember What He’s Already Done
He’s already done the not possible. He saved you. He called you by name. He’s brought you thru fire before—hasn’t He? He’ll do it again. So, my sister, my brother, let me let you know another time:
Jesus did rise up.
The cross was not the tip. The empty tomb is proof that there may be all the time hope—even when things appear hopeless. And because He got up. You can rise up too.
-Even in your sadness.
-Even in your questions.
-Even in your eager for healing in your relationship along with your child, someone, or something else.
He sees you. He loves you. And he will not be done writing the story. Don’t quit. Resurrection is coming.
Photo Credit: ©GettyImages/AntonioGuillem
Cynthia Garrett broke barriers when she became the primary African American woman within the U.S. to host a network late-night show, NBC’s Later with Cynthia Garrett. She is currently seen on TBN and Salem Media networks, in addition to on Fox News and other news outlets, addressing cultural issues and today’s news. The Cynthia Garrett Podcasts premiere weekly on all major podcast platforms.
A highly sought-after speaker, creator, TV host, and ordained minister, Garrett is the creator of The Naked Truth: Reclaiming Sexual Freedom in a Culture of Lies (2024), I Choose Victory: Moving from Victim to Victor (2020), and Prodigal Daughter: A Journey Home to Identity (2016). For more information, visit www.cynthiagarrett.org
