Healing

Near the end of last week’s blog, I noted: “Going forward, there are two possible paths: I can become bitter, throw in the towel, and conclude that my life is over, or I can submit to continuing transformation though the power of the Holy Spirit.”  During Linda’s long battle with Alzheimer’s, the issue of healing has been at the heart of my struggle. When Adam fell, humanity was introduced to sin, sickness and death. In contrast, the psalmist provides hope for restoration:

Praise the Lord, my soul; all my inmost being, praise his holy name. Praise the Lord, my soul, and forget not all his benefits—who forgives all your sins and heals all your diseases, who redeems your life from the pit and crowns you with love and compassion, who satisfies your desires with good things so that your youth is renewed like the eagle’s (Psalm 103: 1-5 NIV).

Growing up in a church where healing was taught, I can never remember a time when I did not believe that it is God’s will to heal those who are sick among us. Furthermore, my earthly father taught me that when healing occurs, greater emphasis should be placed upon God’s divine power than upon the role of man’s faith. That teaching continues to impact my thinking. Therefore, in her early sixties, when Linda first began to manifest signs of memory loss, I determined to prayerfully intercede on her behalf. In order to make sure that my hope rested on a solid foundation, I carefully studied instances of healing in the Bible and read the historical accounts of great men and women who have been used by God in healing ministries. Assured that my beliefs were founded on biblical principles, my faith grew, and I looked forward to her complete healing and the life we would enjoy in our old age. In 2017, God rocked my world when He revealed to me that He planned to heal her in death and not in this life.

Though the circumstances surrounding Paul’s “thorn in the flesh” were completely different than my struggle, the core principle applies: 

Three times I pleaded with the Lord to relieve me of this.  But he answered me, “My grace is always more than enough for you, and my power finds its full expression through your weakness.” So I will celebrate my weaknesses, for when I’m weak I sense more deeply the mighty power of Christ living in me (2 Corinthians 12:8-9 TPT).

A.B. Simpson’s insightful response to this portion of scripture summarizes why that I have submitted to continuing transformation though the power of the Holy Spirit and am able to rejoice in knowing that Linda’s future is secure:

The secret of knowing God’s complete sufficiency is in coming to the end of everything in ourselves and our circumstances and in turning from our circumstances to God, realizing they are the evidence of Him working in our lives.

Adequate coverage of healing would require volumes. However, yielding to time and space limitations, it is helpful to note that three categories of divine healing can be identified:  

Instant — Scripture is replete with accounts of persons being instantly healed. Additionally, there is ample evidence that such healings, though rare, presently continue to take place among the people of God. When this occurs, the laws governing the universe are suspended, it is supernatural, and can best be understood in terms of a miracle.

As a process — The great majority of healings occur over time after seasons of prayer. They can also take place as a result of medical intervention. It is a mistake to denigrate such healings by considering them unspiritual. The help that the medical community provides flows from the heart of a loving and compassionate God.  

Through death – Each time I watch Linda slowly shuffle along as a caregiver carefully guides her steps or see her uncontrollably cry for no apparent reason, I rejoice in knowing that God has a marvelous future prepared for her:

I saw the Holy City, the new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride beautifully dressed for her husband. And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Look! God’s dwelling place is now among the people, and he will dwell with them. They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God. ‘He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death’ or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away” (Revelation 21: 2-4 NIV).

The picture accompanying today’s blog, taken a few weeks ago, clearly depicts Linda’s love for celebration, which is presently limited. Throughout eternity, there will be no end to her participation in celebratory worship!