Before reading Part 2, be sure to read Why It’s Okay to Pursue God for Solutions {Part 1}

God’s solution-minded ways are painted in vibrant colors throughout the canvas of Scripture.

God has a plan for getting us unstuck.

Our flesh response mixed with our emotional issues is all it takes to become a hot mess.

This broken momma doesn’t stop pressing towards Jesus.

She kept on pursuing Jesus, worshiping Him (Matthew 15:25). She wasn’t worshiping her daughter, mind you. She worshiped Jesus, as she pleaded with Him AGAIN, “Lord, help me!” (Matthew 15:25).

His response was no easier to accept, as He said, “It isn’t right to take food from the children and throw it to the dogs.”(Matthew 15:26).  What on earth? She wants Jesus to heal her daughter, and He responds with a statement that implies that the Israelites are precious like children and she…not only a Gentile, but worse yet, a Canaanite…is like a dog. Gasp! Did he really just say that?  And why? Well, there are plenty of ways to interpret this Scripture passage, especially out of context. However, consider this compelling perspective:

Did Jesus humiliate this woman by speaking to her about “dogs”?… I would contend that we must be humbled if we are to come to God for mercy. We must see ourselves as unworthy sinners, undeserving of God’s blessings, and thus we are cast upon His grace, not our merits. What Jesus says to this woman is what the gospel says to every sinner:

 “You are not worthy to be in God’s presence. Confess that you are a sinner, worthy only of His eternal wrath, and call upon Him for mercy and grace.”

The gospel is not meant to flatter us, but to save us from our sins and the penalty of eternal wrath. The things our Lord said (and didn’t say) to this woman resulted in one of the greatest declarations of faith in the New Testament. Why, then, do we seek to second guess our Lord in His dealings with this Canaanite woman? ~ From Bible.org

This Gentile woman’s story is not done, even when Jesus’ response was not what she wanted to hear. Imagine if, as a broken mama, she ran away bitter and resentful, instead of pursuing Jesus hard? But she didn’t. Instead, she pushed further, “That’s true, Lord, but even dogs are allows to eat the scraps that fall beneath their masters’ table.” (Matthew 15:27)

What could Jesus say in return?

“Dear woman,” Jesus said to her, “your faith is great. Your request is granted.” And her daughter was instantly healed. (Matthew 15:28)

She was broken, but fierce.

She was beneath the societal standard, but not ashamed to approach the God of the Universe.

She understood her need for a Healing Savior, and humbled herself before Him in worship.

All she did was motivated by her love for her daughter and her faith in God.

Isn’t this Gentile woman a powerful example for us as moms?

Her persistence, her passion, her humility, and her hope in the Savior of the world provides a framework for our faith.

God knows our need. He knows our hearts. His response may take us by surprise. His solution may not look like the one we’re after. But one thing we know for sure is that we are free to go to God with the problems we have, in the ways we are stuck, and fiercely pursue Him for solutions in every area of our lives.

If you are ready to go deep with God, the Infuse Course will give you the encouragement and structure for a journey that leads to a fresh encounter with God.

Elisa Pulliam is a life coach, coach trainer, author of Meet the New You, speaker, and life-long mentor passionate about seeing women experience authentic life transformation for the sake of impacting the next generation. Her mission as owner of the Kaleo Agency, a life coaching and leadership development company, and as founder of moretobe.com, a ministry passionate about training and equipping women to mentor, is fueled by God’s redeeming work in her life and twenty-plus years in youth and women’s ministry. She counts it a privilege to connect with other women online and in real life, and strives toward savoring each moment with her husband of 20 years, Stephen, and with their four tween and teenage children.