Healing and Hurts

I remember times growing up when my dad wouldn't give me things that I really wanted and at the time it seemed so unfair to me.  In fact, it didn't just seem unfair, but I was convinced that if he would only have the 'wisdom' to see things from my perspective, he would then understand that my request should be granted! 

As you can imagine, I didn't get my wish.

Do you know something?  As I look back on those times and consider them in the context of all my life experiences with my dad, do you know what I am left with?  A sense of respect and love.  I respect him for his willingness to be 'the bad guy' for a short period of time because he knew what was best for me.  And I love him because I know that he was motivated by love to care for me the best way he knew.

I wonder if the same is true when it comes to our understanding of God and his approach to healing?  As I write that last line, I am struck by so many different thoughts that are relevant to this subject, and realize that it is probably not always as cut and dried as we would like--but I still think there are some things we can know.

The question for today is this:  "Why does God heal some and not others?  Does that mean that those who are healed have more faith (trust) than those who are not healed?"

I remember a period in my life, many years ago, when I was involved in prayer for two friends of mine who were struggling with cancer.  These incidents were about a year apart.  The first one we prayed for was healed and had many years of life after. . . .the other died within months.

Did one have faith and the other not?  No.  Both were men of God.  Did one have more faith than the other?  I will never know, but I don't think that is the question we should be asking.

Is faith important?  Yes, but was Jesus measuring people's faith?  He certainly did describe the 'mustard seed' faith--explaining that a very small amount is all that is necessary to move mountains.  And He also said to people, "your faith has healed you."  But it doesn't seem to me that He was pushing the idea that you needed "x" amount of units of faith in order to unleash healing.

It is nearly impossible not to be swayed by our circumstances when we are facing genuine hurt because of illness or injury.  Sometimes it just seems to take our breath away.  And if the healing that is needed is for someone very close to us, then our thoughts about healing are immensely influenced by our need which leads us to request.  

God encourages us to pray for, and believe for healing. And if God is telling us to pray for healing, and believe for it too--then doesn't it make sense that we should expect healing?  After all, isn't He a loving God?

Yes!  Yes, to all of that . . . .until we go so far as to imagine that we now have it all figured out, as though we have the 'wisdom' to explain to God what should and shouldn't be done.

Didn't my dad say 'no' to me sometimes because he loved me?  Don't I look back on what he did for me and realize that he was wiser than me?

Am I not just a child when standing before God. . . . . .?

Faith--important and necessary.  But do you know that the best definition of 'faith' I have ever come across is active trust? 

God is wanting me to learn, grow and mature in such a way that I grow more into His image.  His desire for me is to love Him, and experience His love for me in such deep ways that no logic could ever touch it.  But He also wants me to trust Him with everything, and for everything in life knowing that He is my Heavenly Father who desires to give good gifts to those who ask Him. (Matt 7:11)

Well I asked Him to heal my friend and he died.  So how does that work?

Just like when I was a child my requests to my earthly dad needed to be weighed by him and his response was designed to be for my benefit.  If I was mature enough, my request would have reflected his desires not mine!

Isn't it the same with our Heavenly Father?  He tells us to pray and believe for healing, all the while trusting Him to give the best gifts and to train us to learn what He wants.

There is no easy way through this.  It takes time and there will be hurts.  But there will also be victories and joy. 

If you are desprately seeking healing for someone today, pray and believe for the healing.  But also offer your heart to the Father and say to Him, "I trust you no matter what and ask that your good and perfect will be done."

Hurt and Healing.  Bitter and Sweet.  That is our lives sometimes isn't it?  Just don't forget that there is a wise and loving Father wanting to provide you with all that is necessary to live well in the midst of it.

BT