Then he said to Thomas, "Put your finger here, and see my hands; and put out your hand, and place it in my side. Do not disbelieve, but believe." Thomas answered him, "My Lord and my God!" Jesus said to him, "Have you believed because you have seen me? Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed." John 20:27-29
God meets you where you are at.
I used to read this passage and think that Jesus was annoyed with Thomas because he doubted and was praising people who didn't doubt. Now I realise it is not in Jesus' nature to make us feel bad or belittle us. He does however simply state truth.
He is not concerned with Thomas' sin of doubting who he was. He was concerned with taking away that fear and unbelief that would hinder Thomas from entering into a life of victory and freedom. This is how he responds to us today. He's not panicking over your mess or anyone else's. Rather he's calling us to draw close to him. To see the nail marks in his hands. To have our eyes opened again to the incredible resurrection life He died to bring us into.
When it says Jesus said to him, "Have you believed because you have seen me? Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed." He is showing us that there is a higher level to live by. There is a life of faith and trust that will bring us joy and freedom in the midst of difficult situations. We will no longer be controlled by our circumstances and what our eyes are telling us. Instead we will live by the truth of God’s word which is steadfast and unchanging and always working for our good.