Let’s get honest for a moment. Really honest. Some days, you wake up, and your heart feels so heavy. It’s as if it’s carrying a thousand-pound question: “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 love—perhaps a child—and all you see are signs of distance, misunderstanding, silence, or even pain. The longer it continues, the more you start to feel this ache creep in… this doubt. You start to ask: “If Jesus rose from the dead, why can’t He resurrect this part of my life?”
Oh, friend… I’ve been there. Let me speak to you, not just as someone who preaches, but as a mother, a woman of faith, and a daughter of the King who has struggled too. You are not alone. But here’s what I know deep down in my bones—and what I want to remind you of today: Jesus is real. And he really did get up on that third day. This fact means everything.
Let’s start right here: the resurrection of Jesus Christ is not a poetic metaphor. It’s not just a nice spiritual story that makes us feel better. 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 are still in your sins… If only for this life we have hope in Christ, we are of all people most to be pitied.”
But Paul wasn’t writing about a symbol. He saw the risen Christ with his own eyes. He went from being a murderer of Christians to the greatest missionary the Church has ever known—because of 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 thinking. It was a verified event that flipped the Roman Empire on its head and changed history forever.
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 with your son, your daughter, your spouse, and your friend. Even your work and career dreams are not beyond His redemptive reach. But I want you to hear me clearly: Jesus’ resurrection doesn’t mean everything changes instantly.
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 at 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 just like that… the resurrection became personal.
Not just a theological truth. Not just a Sunday school story. But love—for her, by name. And this is what I want you to hear right now. Jesus is calling you by name. He knows your tears. He knows your heartache. He knows how badly you want reconciliation 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 this is the hard part. The waiting is painful, lonely, and isolating. Believing in the resurrection doesn’t mean we never struggle. It means we cling to hope even when we do.
Jesus rose on the third day. That means there were 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 seemed like evil had won.
There were two long days when total despair, confusion, and lack of vision seemed to prevail. But they didn’t know what was happening behind the scenes. They didn’t know that heaven was about to move in power. So if you’re stuck in your “day two”… If you’re in a waiting season 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 is living in you, He who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies…”
He’s not done. Not with your story. Not with your healing. Not with your relationship with your child or loved one. But you need to stand. And there are steps to stand in Resurrection Power! Let me leave you with some of these practical steps to strengthen your faith today:
5 Steps to Stand in the Resurrection Power of Jesus
1. Speak the Resurrection Daily
Say it out loud when you feel weak: “
Jesus is alive. And because He got up, I can too.”
Declare it over your son. Over your family. Over the things that feel dead.
2. Stay at the Tomb Until He Speaks
Like Mary, don’t leave in despair. Wait for Him. He always shows up. Maybe not how we expect, but always 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 promises of God. They are the food your Spirit must have to survive, to thrive, to win.
“I am the resurrection and the life.” - John 11:25
“I am the Living One. I was dead, and now look, I am alive forever and ever!” - Revelation 1:18
He carried your sorrow. He bore your grief. And by His wounds, you are healed. - Isaiah 53
4. Love Like You Believe. Live Like You Receive!
Keep loving your child or loved one as if you believe Jesus will heal what’s broken. Keep embracing hope for that broken situation, as though it’s already healed—even when you don’t feel it, even when it hurts. That’s resurrection faith in action.
5. Remember What He’s Already Done
He’s already done the impossible. He saved you. He called you by name. He’s brought you through fire before—hasn’t He? He’ll do it again. So, my sister, my brother, let me tell you one more time:
Jesus did get up.
The cross was not the end. The empty tomb is proof that there is always hope—even when things appear hopeless. And because He got up. You can get up too.
-Even in your sadness.
-Even in your questions.
-Even in your longing for healing in your relationship with your child, someone, or something else.
He sees you. He loves you. And he is not done writing the story. Don’t give up. Resurrection is coming.
Photo Credit: ©GettyImages/AntonioGuillem
Cynthia Garrett broke barriers when she became the first African American woman in 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, as well as 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, author, TV host, and ordained minister, Garrett is the author 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
