Most all believers readily acknowledge that Jesus did heal
and can heal. The doubt always enters in
with “if it be thy will.” His ways are
so far higher than ours; we cannot know the intricacies of His purposes. Or can we?
The passion of Father God was, is and always will be
personal relationship with each of us.
God loves to share mysteries with those who seek His face. He uses the natural to reveal the
spiritual. I do not believe that means
we can eliminate illness or struggling.
Christ Himself endured suffering to perfect his human body. Healing is always for the glory of God; sometimes greater glory may come from not healing. I believe there will be times we are not be able to sort through the purposes of God; in those times, we must like, Job, choose faith. But those times should not stop us from asking or seeking!
I also believe God uses our bodies to get our
attention. I do believe our bodies
become unhealthy from unholy choices…and that God loves when we seek Him to
eliminate each and everything that hinders us from enjoying His gifts to the
full. This year, through my church, I have had the privilege of
participating in a series of Healing Training workshops aimed at preparing us
to minister more effectively in our community.
The instructor ministers extensively to individuals with
various illnesses and life traumas. The
testimonies of changed lives are inspiring.
The ministry process begins with the parable of the
unmerciful servant and rests upon reconciliation—first with God, then with self
and finally with others. Many of those
who come to him have failed to find a medical solution. The ministry sessions help them hear God and
find strength to walk out truth that brings healing. It is beautiful to watch individuals come face-to-face
with the One who perfectly administers grace and justice in love!
This past week offered me a fascinating glimpse of the tangible truths in the process. For several months I
have battled significant low-back issues.
Although I had minimal pain, continual discomfort and extreme stiffness
characterized every day. Wrapping up a
session, I asked for insights on possible spiritual roots of the issue. Through his years of ministry and research,
Sean has identified patterns with many illnesses. With my stubborn refusal to visit a doctor’s
office and obtain a clear diagnosis, I only had the ‘guess’ of a PT
friend: degenerating discs. Given that, he quickly responded: ‘Typically that would relate to envy and
jealousy. Ask the Spirit to show you if
any is hidden from your view.” We packed
up and went separate ways.
As I drove to the office, I pondered his words. My relationship with God felt great; I had
nothing in my conscious mind that felt envious.
Knowing sin hides well, I asked the Holy Spirit for clarity and quickly
knew.
Envy/jealousy of those who hear
God in ways I do not…with clarity that I do not did periodically plague me!
Prior to this, I just dismissed such thoughts as immature and went
on with my life…never thinking it could be a door to blessing if I would just
walk through it! As quick as I confessed the envy, I also confessed the fault
as mine and sought forgiveness. God is
so gracious; He understood that receiving is hard for me…that I am comfortable
working for my rewards. He waited until
I was ready to receive the ‘much more’ He is always willing to give.
Hearing that quiet ‘walk this way’ in the midst of a storm is
pure faith and grace; no traces of doing enter into that receiving. That level of
hearing is a necessity in the Healing Ministry. I know how to study and prepare what to say. I even know how to pray and wait for an
answer over time. Trusting God will
reveal what I need to share in the midst of a ministry session (or perhaps more powerfully even in the
moment-to-moment of living) is a new level of faith for me. It was clear to me that God was saying, “Ask
and it will be given to you. There is no
need to envy.” SO…I confessed and asked
for His mercy and went on with my day.
The next morning, my devotion time was sweet like usual. I spent some time looking at what Scripture
had to say about bones. One of those 84
verses came from David’s great prayer of confession in Psalm 51. David begged God to cleanse his soul, rebuild
His spirit, and ‘help him hear with joy and gladness that the bones you (God)
have broken will be restored.’ I created
a Scripture Prescription for myself and went about the day.
Rejoicing in the spiritual clarity, I hesitated to believe
that physically I was moving better. But
it became undeniable. I was…I am. It has been four full days; I can lift my
left foot to tie my shoe; I (almost) stand straight when I get up J. It has been the neatest thing. I believe God wants our bodies to point us to
Him as much as He wants our souls (mind, will and emotion). I have enjoyed his healing of my soul for many years now; I’m
excited to be learning about the physical healing as well. I hope you enjoyed a different look at
healing. I’d love to hear what you
think! Blessings, Billie Jo
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