Today we will start a new series here on the blog, called “What healing do you need?”, where through three reflections we will remember biblical stories of physical, emotional and spiritual healing, in which the Lord worked on behalf of his children, showing once again his glory and infinite goodness.
We will start with physical healing, which surely we all already need at some point and in a year when we still face the coronavirus is so necessary. Physical illnesses can attack any person and when they arrive we question why and what is the cause of facing such difficult situations in life.
We don’t always understand why we pass through certain valleys, but through the word of God we can understand why we pass through them and remember that just like our powerful Father did in the past, He continues to do today. Nowadays medicine is more advanced, and we have different treatments for countless illnesses, but God continues to perform miracles like the ones we read in the Bible, and today I want to remember here the story of Lazarus.
The illness and resurrection of Lazarus
Lazarus and his sisters, Martha and Mary, were great friends of Jesus. On one occasion, reported in John 11, Lazarus got sick, but Jesus was not around. The three brothers lived in Bethany, a village east of Jerusalem, but Jesus was in other city, with his disciples. The illness got worse, and the sick man’s sisters sent word to the Lord Jesus.
Jesus loved Martha, his sister, and Lazarus very much. But when he heard that Lazarus was sick, he stayed where he was for two days. Certainly, we would think that a good friend would be around at difficult times, but it is not always the way we want it. God, sometimes he has other plans. The sisters tried everything they could to take care of their brother, but their beloved brother died.
If Jesus had been around, this tragedy probably would not have happened. However, Jesus took his time and missed his friend’s funeral, he seemed not to care, but, will he? Like Mary, we think about many things in times of suffering, we try to find a culprit, we accuse and murmur… But we are not always right in our thoughts.
Jesus cares about our pain! He comes to meet us and even weeps with us in our suffering, just as he did in John 11:35. Then the Master called Lazarus out of his tomb and he came back to life. Jesus was glorified that day, proved himself superior to death, and in him, we know that we have life in abundance, because he is life itself.
Testimony of Physical Healing
I don’t remember if I’ve written about it here, but I think it’s worth mentioning. My mother’s pregnancy was somewhat troubled and so was the birth. During the birth I vacuumed a fluid that should not have caused an injury to my lung, this in turn was only discovered when I was already 1 year old and until they found out I “hit the card” in the hospital because my lung filled with water.
Well, the last time I ended up in hospital for such a reason, I stayed more than a month and did not respond to any treatment, some people in the hospital even talked to my family that I was no longer good, if we can say so … But that’s when my mother decided to make a purpose with God.
That day she got down on her knees in bed and made a purpose with the Lord that she would not work anymore while I needed her, she would only work in my class period and so on. Well, shortly after I woke up another child, I got an improvement, and finally they discovered the lung injury.
My father at the time was very worried because their salary together was less than what we needed to live, but God honored my mother’s step of faith and in the following week my father had a promotion and started to earn 3 times more than what they earned together.
I’m not encouraging anyone to quit their job, much less bargain with God, but at that moment my mother, who never could keep up with my growth and only saw me more and more sick, realized it was time for her to take care of me before I could get lost, which surely wasn’t an easy decision given our family’s financial situation.
Reflecting
Our Father does not want to see us suffer. Many physical illnesses are caused by our own lack of care for our body which is the temple of the Holy Spirit, but there are others which are permissions. Even if you do not understand the purpose behind illness, believe that God’s grace will suffice for you. Seek the Lord, pray, rest in him trusting in his heart.
Even when we do not see a way out, God has already prepared everything, and He is with us in the moment of difficulty. Many times, adverse situations and afflictions will serve to teach us something and, mainly, to glorify God. Finally, I leave here the passage from Romans 8:28: “And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to his purpose”.
God bless you!
Follow Bible JFA on social media: @bibleofflineapp. If you have not yet downloaded our app, just search for “Bible Offline” by Mr Rocco in the app stores (Google Play Store and Apple App Store).To see more publications like this click here!
