A cry for help went out. The two sisters sent for Jesus to come to them — “Lord, he whom you love is ill.”

If we hear that someone we love is sick or in the hospital, we go quickly to them to see how they are, especially if we learn they are critically ill.

Jesus, however, did not do that. Instead, “he stayed two days longer in the place where he was,” then he went to his friend, Lazarus. (You may know the story; it is in the Bible at John chapter 11.)

When Jesus finally arrived, Lazarus was dead. Martha went to him and said, “Lord, if you had been here, my brother would not have died.” Later, the other sister, Mary, went to him and said, “Lord, if you had been here, my brother would not have died.”

That is how it is sometimes with God when we pray and ask him to help us in our time of need — no response. The problem we have gets worse. There is no answer from God and no change in our circumstances. When this happens, our faith wilts, and doubts double.

If you are discouraged, read the story of Lazarus. It might help you see your situation differently and rebuild your faith.

You will read in verse 5, “Now Jesus loved Martha and her sister and Lazarus.”

In verse 33, it read, “When Jesus saw her weeping, and the Jews who had come with her also weeping, he was deeply moved in his spirit and greatly troubled.” Verse 35 reads: “Jesus wept.”

God has a reason for everything he does or does not do: ”This illness does not lead to death. It is for the glory of God so that the Son of God may be glorified through it.” (John 11:4)

This story has a happy ending. Jesus called out in “a loud voice, ‘Lazarus, come out.’ The man who had died came out ….” (John 11:38-44)

When we don’t understand why we struggle, remember, God is too wise to make a mistake and too loving to be unkind.

The Rev. David Parry, pastor at First Church of God in Seymour, 625 E. Fourth St., writes a column for The Tribune two times a month.