When God Doesn't Heal

Jehovah Rapha

The Lord Who Heals You

I must admit that I have greatly struggled with this writing. In fact, I really wanted to just ignore this name of God and save it for last. Something, however, has continued compelling me to write this and not just ignore it.

The Bible is full of scripture about healing. Old Testament and New Testament people cried out to God for healing and received it. Jesus spent a fair amount of his ministry healing people. What happens when we, like the people in scripture, call out to God in faith for healing...and it doesn't come?

The Apostle Paul experienced this. Paul prayed three times for God to remove his "thorn in the flesh". I have no idea what illness or injury Paul was dealing with. There have been many speculations, but all we know is that Paul didn't want it in his life, yet God did. God told Paul that His grace was sufficient for him, so Paul continued his ministry in spite of his physical impairment,

For nearly 20 years, I and my family and friends (along with many people I've never met) have prayed that I would be healed from cancer. Forget just 3 times like Paul - we've flooded heavens gates with petitions and pleas for 20 years. Even though God has chosen not to heal me of this cancer, He has blessed me with 20 years to spend with my husband, family and friends. I've been privileged to experience many good things in those 20 years. 

Nothing is too hard for the Almighty, but the Psalmist still cries out "In the course of my life, he broke my strength, he cut short my days." (Psalm 102:33)

If nothing is impossible for God, why does he sometimes choose not to heal? Why does it seem as though He would rather leave us in pain?

C.S. Lewis writes in his book "The Problem with Pain"

"God whispers to us in our pleasures, speaks to us in our conscience, but shouts in our pain, it is his megaphone to rouse a deaf world."

What is the message God is sending us through our pain?

Our sickness and pain gives us only a small glimpse of the misery we would suffer eternally separated from the Lord's blessings. Often times, our sickness and pain is a wake up call to turn our hearts back to the Lord and avoid the eternal suffering of being in the darkness away from His presence.

For some, the sickness and pain they experience, is to accomplish a greater purpose for them and for God. Like the Apostle Paul, his weakness showed the mighty hand of God in a way that physical healing could not.

Joni Eareckson Tada gives some excellent, practical advise for those suffering physical pain or limitations:

1. Accept the pain and embrace God through it. Don't fight against the pain that God has allowed in your life - accept it and ask God to give you the strength to go through it, the grace to benefit from it and the devotion to thank him for his love for you in all circumstances.

2. Use your pain to bring God glory. While illness limits you, there's no limit to the amount of glory you can bring God by choosing to trust him in the middle of pain.

3. Find ultimate healing. Look forward to enjoying heaven, where you'll never suffer any physical problems again and even better - you will never be weighed down by sin again.

The song "Even If" by Kutless says it better than I can:

" Even if healing doesn't come and life falls apart and dreams are still undone - You are God - You are Good - Forever Faithful One, Even if the healing doesn't come.

You are still the Great and Mighty One, we trust you always. You're working all things for our good. We'll sing your praise. You are God and we will bless you as the Good and Faithful One - You are God and we will bless you - Even if the healing doesn't come.

Blessings,

Mandy