“But he answered and said, It is not meet to take the children’s bread, and to cast it to dogs. And she said, Truth, Lord: yet the dogs eat of the crumbs which fall from their masters’ table. Then Jesus answered and said unto her, O woman, great is thy faith: be it unto thee even as thou wilt. And her daughter was made whole from that very hour.” Matthew 15:26–28

In the midst of problems lies the solution needed to bring about the change. Some problems are so overwhelming that those who carry them can find no answer except through help from above. As Christians, we need someone we can turn to for solutions.

In this passage, Jesus was approached by a mother in desperate need. She came to Him as many others did, but her request was different. She did not ask for the whole loaf; she asked for a crumb. She knew that even a crumb is better than nothing.

She had to overcome race. Verse 21 tells us that this woman was from Tyre and Sidon, and verse 22 adds that she was a Canaanite. This tells that she descended from a different people. When Joshua led the people of Israel into Canaan, they had been commanded to destroy the Canaanites (Deut. 7:2). It means she was a member of a doomed race. Second, she came from a region known for its awful religious practices.

If we examine the obstacles to her success more closely, we see that she had to overcome religion, racism, rejection, and reality before she received what she wanted.

Can you see how Jesus took this woman and her small faith and helped it grow? The obstacles to faith became opportunities in disguise. When we continue to seek the Lord despite every hindrance, we eventually see Him do what we need Him to do.

How much does your problem matter to you? Have you encountered obstacles along the way that have caused you to give up on seeking God for the answer you need? Have you looked at the church and concluded that since God’s people do not care, you will not care either?

Friend, too much is at stake if you quit now.

Be like this poor mother. Keep bringing that need to Jesus until He answers. Keep seeking Him until He responds. Keep asking, keep seeking, and keep knocking. In His time, He will give you the answer you need.