A Faith That Heals
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He said to her, "Daughter, your faith has healed you. Go in peace and be freed from your suffering." —Mark 5:34 (NIV)
In the newborn stage of motherhood, sleep is a luxurious gift. So, I was elated when my second baby boy started to sleep long stretches in the night. However, my celebration was stifled when I closed my eyes one night, and sleep wouldn't come. At first, I panicked, recalling the long season of insomnia and postpartum mental health issues after the birth of my first son. Then a gentle nudge encouraged me to open my Bible.
I began to read the familiar story of the woman with an incurable hemorrhage. The woman who risked everything to touch Jesus' robe in the middle of a crowd. With just the touch of His fringe, the healing power left Christ, and the woman was freed from twelve years of suffering and being ostracized. (Mark 24-34)
One gesture of faith, and she was healed.
Sometimes I think how unfair it is that we don't have an incarnate Jesus walking our streets. One that we can physically touch, even if we must push our way through a crowd or wait in line. A living and breathing Healer in the flesh that we could carry a friend to or lay a sick child in His lap. Wouldn't it be divine to hear Jesus tell a paralyzed person to get up and walk?
Oh, I can only imagine what it would be like to witness the instantaneous healing of debilitating infirmities like cancer or ALS!
While we may not have Jesus in the flesh walking down our street, we do have unlimited access to the Comforter. We can call upon God at any time, even in the middle of the night. We can rest assured that we are not alone.
In John 14:26, Jesus speaks this promise to us, "But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, He shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you."
When sleep remained elusive, I calmly invited the Holy Spirit to sit with me that night as I read my Bible. I felt at peace as I read the last verse of the story in Mark 34, "Daughter, your faith has healed you. Go in peace and be freed from your suffering."
It was as if the Spirit was speaking these comforting words straight to my heart. So, I closed the Bible and my eyes. Then I woke up hours later to the sound of a miracle crying in his crib.
Sweet friend, I understand the exhaustion and despair that come with praying and waiting for healing. I have navigated ten years of doctor's appointments and medicines. And while I am not miraculously cured, my healing has come through God's provision of health professionals, prescriptions, and supportive friends.
Through all the ups and downs with my health journey, the sweetest side effect has been the close proximity to my Healer, Jesus Christ. Lean in, friend. Hold on to faith and hope. The Comforter will hold you, sustain you, and be your shelter.
Questions for Reflection:
- Do you frequently research your symptoms on Dr. Google? I have been guilty of this many times, but what I learned is that trusting God to provide the right course of healing is always better than trying to take control with self-diagnosis. While knowledge can be power, save yourself some time and worry, and ask God for guidance before going down a rabbit hole online.
- Do you have a go-to passage of Scripture to pray when you or a loved one needs healing? Write it down on a notecard and place it in a spot you frequent. Speak these life-giving words over yourself and others in need.
