6 posts tagged “healing”
As Christians we don't like to talk about it because as Christ followers sometimes we are told that we shouldn't struggle with depression. I've been told "you're fine", when all I wanted to do was cry. I've been told "fake it till you make it." All by well meaning and well intentioned Christians. The fact of the matter was that when I would go to church, I would put on my fake smile, fake it while I was there, then go back home and into my pj's and turn off my phone. It is exhausting to "fake it until you make it."
I remember when I finally confessed to someone I loved and trusted that I broke down finally and went to the doctor to get on anti-depressants again, the comment they made to me tore me up. Yes, I have forgiven them, but the hurt is still there until the Lord heals it. I believe it remains there so that I can get the message out there that you're not a bad person, or doing something wrong if you are depressed. When someone gets diabetes, do you tell them to suck it up and trust God? Or do you tell them they should take their medicine and go to the doctor? If someone has high blood pressure, do you tell them "fake it until you make it" and trust God, or do you tell them they should take their medicine?
Is it possible, dear Christian, that the Lord gave doctors and scientists the wisdom to create life saving medications so that we could be okay? Yes! God gave the scientists wisdom to know how to treat certain cancers. I have a dear friend who was cured of breast cancer, and while she is still in the final stages of treatment, she is on her way to recovery. What if someone told her "you're fine" and "just trust God"? and she chose not to do this life saving treatment? Sure, there is a possibility that God would miraculously cure her, but do you take that chance when there is a life saving treatment available? No! Just like with any sickness or disease or illness. If someone is throwing you a life saver and you're in the water drowning, do you tell them, "I'm trusting God to save me"? or do you take the flippin' life saver and let them pull you to safety? I don't think I need to answer that question.
Just because we are Christians does not mean that we aren't going to suffer, have problems, go through sickness and illnesses, or struggle with depression. Christ did not promise us a life of ease. If He thought we weren't going to go through junk, why would He provide scriptures such as Matthew 11:28-30 "Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light." Now some might argue that this scripture is for someone who doesn't know Christ. Okay, then how about the book of Job? Why did God provide us with this book? Job knew the Lord intimately. In Job 1:1 Job is referred to as a "blameless and upright" man "he feared God and shunned evil." The Lord says to satan in verse 8 "Have you considered my servant, Job? There is no one on earth like him; he is blameless and upright, a man who fears God and shuns evil." Wow!
Or how about the scripture 1 Peter 4:12 "Dear friends, do not be surprised at the painful trial you are suffering, as though something strange were happening to you. But rejoice that you participate in the sufferings of Christ, so that you may be overjoyed when His glory is revealed." (Peter is speaking to Christ followers here) or 1 Peter 4:1 "Therefore, since Christ suffered in His body, arm yourselves also with the same attitude, because He who has suffered in his body is done with sin." or James 1:2-4 "Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything." (Peter and James were both speaking to Christ followers)
My dear friend, if you are suffering from an illness just because you aren't healed yet or living in what the "world" considers "prosperous" -- doesn't mean you are doing something wrong. The Apostle Paul really went through a lot while an apostle of Christ says in Phillipians 4:11-13 "I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do evertyhing through Him [Christ] who gives me strength."
John the Baptist was beheaded doing the work of the Lord. Peter was hanged upside down on a cross while doing the work of the Lord. Paul was shipwrecked, stoned, left for dead, imprisoned, tormented by a "messenger of Satan (2 Cor. 12:7). Paul asked the Lord THREE times for Him to take it (the messenger of Satan) away, and the Lord responded "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." (2 Cor. 12:9). I also believe that eventually Paul was beheaded as well. Of course, our greatest example is Jesus, who suffered the most of all. Heb. 5:8 "Although He was a son, He learned obedience from what He suffered and, once made perfect, He became the source of eternal salvation for all who obey Him."
So, just because you have trials, tribulations, sickness, financial problems, kid problems, marital problems, relationship problems doesn't always mean that you are doing something wrong. We live in a fallen world. If you have an illness, its okay to go to the doctor and get medicine, and don't let anyone make you feel bad that you have to take it.
Depression is an imbalance of chemicals in the body, much like diabetes is an imbalance, high blood pressure, or heart disease, or .....the list goes on. Some people have it. Some people don't. Don't feel bad or feel like a failure if you have to get an anti-depressant because God provided wisdom to the scientists and doctors for that too -- not just these other things.
Another thing, reach out to others and have a support network that will call you to reach out to you also. I am starting a women's prayer group, and am very excited to have the support and prayer support that we as women so desperately need. Again, Christian, do not think that because things aren't perfect in your life that God is not with you. God is always with you. Trust Him. Follow Him. Seek Him. Thank Him. Praise Him. He is the same yesterday and today and forever. Heb. 13:8.
Do we stop asking for healing? Absolutely not! That is not what I'm saying, but God gave us a brain to use and we should not be stupid if there is medicine or doctors available to help us during our time of illness -- use them!
Recommended reading this week: anything that is in your Bible that jumps out at you. Just read it! :-)
Well, I believe that the Lord is mixing things up a bit in my world yet again. For the last five or more years I have dealt with an illness that I don't know what it is. It will go away for a while, and then come back with a vengence. I continue to pray for healing because I know that the Lord still heals today -- I am an example of that due to the fact that He has healed so many areas of my life since coming back to Christ in September 2004.
So the new change is He has prompted me to quit my job, stay home, and get well. The doctors continue to test me for various things, and I see yet another specialist in June. They continue to talk along the lines of an auto immune disease. Interestingly enough, the Lord brought into my life a wonderful woman about a year ago who is a Christian, used to be a pastor (now does worship at her church), and has lived with Lupus for 12 years. Our symptoms mirror each other. When Joe and I realized that maybe I needed to quit we began to seek the Lord in that direction one weekend, and I had lunch with her on a Monday and she began saying all of the same things that we had just gotten done praying -- quitting my job, staying home, and getting well. Interesting how the Lord brings along a confirmation when we are not quite sure.
One of the things that the Lord has done in my heart through this is brought me JOY. I have a JOY during the midst of trials and pain that I've never had before. I have a love like I'd never had before. It is amazing. One night I had a particularly hard night, and got up early before anyone else and was in tremendous pain. I got up and spend the morning with the Lord, in the Word, and realized that I had this tremendous joy. I thought at that time that if I have this JOY and this love, then I can deal with this junk going on in my body. Really truly. If this is the fruit of suffering, then I will eat it! I'm serious.
Now, some people may think I'm crazy and not understand, but hey when has anything that the Lord has asked me to do made sense or when have most people understood. That has never stopped me before.
So here's the thing, I know that the Lord has something up His sleeve next for me, and He's not going to leave me in this condition forever -- and if He chose to, you know what? I'll praise Him even then. You know, some people would say that that is a statement of lack of faith -- not it's not. It is a statement as to a great deal of trust for the One Who created me. He has my life in His hands, and I trust Him with everything that is in me.
God has called us to love Him with all our heart, soul and mind, and love our neighbor as ourself. So I am doing my best to listen to His instruction, and pray for His will to be done in my life.
You know, when the disciples were with Jesus, they asked Him to teach them how to pray. It's very simple. "Our Father, Who art in Heaven, hallowed be Thy Name; Thy Kingdom come; thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven; give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us, and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil, for thine is the Kingdom, the Power and the Glory forever, Amen."
It's quite simple. It's not a magic formula. It's that simple. Start there.
Mark 3:22 “And the teachers of the law who came down from Jerusalem said, "He [Jesus] is possessed by Beelzebub ! By the prince of demons he is driving out demons."
I am finally laughing right now – you see, I am a threat to the devil because the Lord did an amazing work in me on Sunday, and now he’s "honked off". I give God all the glory. I had someone tell me that the stuff I am going through (sickness in my body) is basically because of a demon, and that it just needs to come out. You’re saying I’m demon possessed? Are you joking? Seriously. I do not believe a Christian can be demon possessed, and I’ll tell you why. When I said that simple prayer and invited Jesus into my life, He became ruler over my life and came into my heart. My body is the temple of the Holy Spirit. I don’t believe that the two could reside together in my body. Come on!
Matthew 12:29 “ “Or again, how can anyone enter a strong man's house and carry off his possessions unless he first ties up the strong man? Then he can rob his house.”
I am listing these things not to brag on me, but to brag on the Lord. He was the One who chose to use me this week. I include these to encourage you to be obedient when He asks you to do something. I Cor. 1:31 “Therefore, as it is written: "Let him who boasts boast in the Lord."
You see, on Monday the Lord allowed me to minister to a homeless woman, and gave her a word from the Lord – I knew it was right on because she began crying right then and there. On that same Monday, went to a meeting with the senior pastor and elders of our new church, witnessed to them with my testimony and got prayed for for healing, and they (and we) also began praying that the Lord would show Joe and I what our part is at our new church.
On Tuesday, same homeless woman, now says something that lets me know she is a Believer! Wednesday the Lord allowed me to pray with a clerk in one of the local stores after she told me her dog was ill and in critical condition, and may not make it. I asked her if I could pray for her. Praise God, when I talked to her today, the dog is doing better! On Wednesday I also got an invite to a new group in Snohomish County of Christian legal professionals!!
Thursday, I was in the doctor's office getting checked in for my MRI, and the woman checking me in begins having a heart attack. They immediately called 911, and then I immediately called my 911. Jesus Christ! I asked her if I could come around and pray for her. She let me, and I felt the Lord totally move. There were many people in that office today (15-20), and the Lord did a work! I believe through that witness of Jesus people will come to know the Lord. By the time the paramedics got there her pain had diminished almost completely. Also, my step-daughter had been witnessing to a young man about Jesus, and he was at youth group Thursday night!
Today (Friday), the local clerk tells me that now she and her husband are now praying! Dog is still holding on, but not fully better yet. Praise the Lord! I told her I would continue to pray for little Susie the dog.
Don’t tell me I’m demon possessed because here’s the thing, the Lord is using me. If I was demon possessed the Lord would not use me the way He has chosen to this last week after my spiritual breakthrough. The Pharisees of that day said that Jesus was demon possessed, so I am encouraged that I am more like Jesus now. The devil meant to use this comment as a tool to discourage and stop me. I am using it to propel me!
No, my body is not cooperating in complete healing just yet, but here’s the thing, I wouldn’t have been at that doctor’s office if my body was completely healed now would I? Paul had a thorn in his flesh (God says “my grace is sufficient for you”). Jesus was crucified (God’s will). John the Baptist was beheaded. Paul was eventually beheaded, after being shipwrecked, imprisoned, etc. Peter was crucified (and here’s the thing with THAT, he (Peter) knew that he would be crucified because Jesus told him – also God’s will)!
Don’t ever discount anything that you do for the Lord because it is a seed that is planted, and the Lord is the one who waters it. And don’t let anyone discourage you or stop you from moving forward into all that God has for you or wants you to do.
When I heard that comment I was upset to say the least, and it started to make me want to draw back because my thought was “what if I am demon possessed, I don’t want to get that on someone else.” Then the Lord started showing me these things. So, thank you Jesus for using me this week – I give YOU all the glory forever and ever amen!
Oh, so why am I telling you this? I’ll tell ya, because the same thing may happen to you someday and I want you to be encouraged, and not give up on Jesus because He says He will never leave us nor forsake us. As to the person who said this, I have forgiven, I still love them, and want to thank them! Why? Because I have now grown about a foot more in the Lord this week! So I pray the Lord blesses the person who is saying this about me because I believe they just know not what they do.
John 10:10 “The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.” My life is so FULL today!
http://www.gotquestions.org/Christian-demon-possessed.html -- or another good one http://www.letusreason.org/Pent24.htm for more information on whether a Christian can be demon possessed. What do you think? Can we? Or can't we? My vote is no.
Wow. It seems like yesterday we were celebrating 2008. I spent some time last night before going to sleep asking the Lord to help me remember the good things of 2008. Here are the things I can remember so far -- there was so much!
1. Won tickets to see Shawn McDonald and got to go back stage with my step son to meet Shawn McDonald and get our picture taken with him. My step son won the tickets and he asked me to go with him. I was so blessed by that.
2. Was given tickets by a friend to see Jeremy Camp and Toby Mac. Met some friends there and had a great time.
3. Won a big screen television and DVD player! WOW! This is something we would have never purchased for ourselves because its so extravagant, but the Lord gave it to us just because!
4. I got a significant pay raise, several bonuses through the year, and more paid time off. Thank you Lord!
5. A partially paid for trip to San Diego to be alone with my hubby.
6. Got to sea kayak in La Jolla, CA for the first time ever.
7. Got to body surf at Mission Beach in California in warm water! What fun!
8. The Lord brought three new friends into my life that have been such a blessing and encouragement.
9. Took all kids (all 5 teens!!!!) to Ocean Shores for vacation in Summer 08, and had a blast.
10. Got a new dog Ruby, who is a funny little hoot and such a blessing to our family.
11. Grew closer as a family. The kids tell me they love me. They hug me. They confide in me. It's not easy being a step-parent, probably harder than being a parent of your own bio child.
12. Got to hear God's audible voice in a dream tell me "I love you." Was the most amazing dream I've probably ever had.
13. Got completely out of debt for the first time in years, well besides our mortgage.
14. Watching healing in my step-daughter's life, and all the kids growing in the Lord.
15. Took up knitting again.
16. Watched God heal one of my friendships - RG. Thank you Lord.
I wrote down the things that were hard about 2008, and they really paled in comparison to the blessings the Lord has given to us as a family, and me personally. So, as Deborah said, I shake off the dust of 2008, and embrace what 2009 has for me. God called me to be an encourager, and I'm going to continue to do what He has called me to do -- no matter what the circumstances are around me -- no matter the hurt in my heart at times. Some times it just takes time for that healing to come in my heart, but I embrace the process and praise Him for the work He is doing in me.
What I've realized is that the pain and hurt I've experienced this last year has made me more humble, less prideful. That's a good thing. Paul asked three times for the Lord to remove the thorn in his flesh, and God said that His grace was sufficient for Paul. Through all of the bad junk I've continue to praise the Lord, seek Him, continue to pray for the healing in my heart, both received forgiveness and given forgiveness, and it is all good. I can't wait to see what God has in store for 2009 because no matter what it is -- He is in control and He says He will never leave us nor forsake us. Thank you Lord!
Psalms 62:1-2 “My soul finds rest in God alone; my salvation comes from him. He alone is my rock and my salvation; he is my fortress, I will never be shaken.” Ps. 62:5-6 “Find rest, O my soul, in God alone; my hope comes from Him. He alone is my rock and my salvation; he is my fortress, I will not be shaken. Ps. 62:7-8 “My salvation and my honor depend on God; he is my mighty rock, my refuge. Trust in him at all times, O people; pour out your hearts to him, for God is our refuge. "Selah"
Last night I was spending time with my Lord, and He gave me Psalms 62:8 to read. So I backed up after reading that scripture and read the entirety of Psalms 62. So comforting. You see, this last year has been challenging in so many ways. Friendships gained, lost, ministry gone, family, illness, work, betrayal, hurt. The one I haven't spoken of much is the illness part. I still don't know what to put, but its something I've been dealing with since before I came back to the Lord in 2004, and am now back to facing it to find out what is wrong. I saw another specialist today, and the scriptures the Lord gave me last night gave me the courage to proceed forward to see this doctor. I liked him. He spent almost an hour with me, and listened to everything. He didn't make me feel like I was crazy. He didn't make me feel like I was making it up. He did tell me he didn't know yet, but now begins the process of more tests. Today, I am okay with it. I just want to get to the bottom of it once and for all.
Several months back, I confided in someone I thought I could trust, and their response to me was "buck up" and basically told me I didn't have enough faith and that was why I hadn't been healed yet. Whoa. Hey, thanks for that tid bit of advice, next time keep it to yourself. God's word says I need to have faith the size of a mustard seed -- I've got that. So why isn't my body healed yet? I don't know. I've searched. I've talked. I've prayed. I've read scriptures over myself, etc. Nothing changes. What I've realized, however, is that through this journey I've met people I probably wouldn't have gotten to meet before. I have gotten the opportunity to witness to so many people along this journey, and I praise God for that. I got the opportunity to pray with one of my doctors. How cool is that!? That wouldn't have happened if my health was good and all was well.
Romans 8:28 "And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose."
I continue to praise and thank the Lord through this journey -- I continue to pray for healing. I pray for His strength, His purpose, His wisdom, His mercy. God just use me. He is so good to me, and I am so blessed in so many other ways that I hate to even complain about this one little issue. I mean, really.
Reading the book of Job has helped tremendously. I will post more on my thoughts on that later, but the funny thing is that Job's friends thought that they had this tremendous insight into why Job was going through what he was going through, and they didn't have a clue!
So why am I sharing this? Because I am requesting prayer for this journey that I am on -- healing first and foremost, but wisdom for me and the doctors -- wisdom to know what to do. That I would not get discouraged. Strength. Courage. Boldness to speak about Jesus wherever I go. Thanks muchas!
Oh yah, if you're going to tell me to have more faith, or to pray harder, or anything along those lines, please feel free to keep that to yourself. :-) If you want to be with me on this journey to just be there to encourage, please feel free, but if you think the Lord has given you special insight into why I'm sick (but He hasn't told me yet), again, please keep that to yourself. May the Lord bless you in 2009!
