I’m listening to the New Testament on audio and working my way through the Gospels, and one thing I notice is how often Jesus healed people and delivered them of demons. In fact, I can’t find a single place where He refused to heal someone. Yet, today, there seem to be so many Christians sick and dying. It doesn’t make sense, especially in light of what the Scriptures say about healing the sick:
Is any one of you sick? He should call the elders of the church to pray over him and anoint him with oil in the name of the Lord (James 5:14 NIV).
And these signs will accompany those who believe: In my name they will drive out demons; they will speak in new tongues; they will pick up snakes with their hands; and when they drink deadly poison, it will not hurt them at all; they will place their hands on sick people, and they will get well (Mark 16:17–18 NIV).
I tell you the truth, anyone who has faith in me will do what I have been doing. He will do even greater things than these, because I am going to the Father (John 14:12 NIV).
I’ve been talking to God about this and asking Him to reveal what’s going on. Here’s some ideas that have come to me as I’ve meditated on this question.
Much of the church in America preaches that the miracles of the New Testament ended with the apostles (though I can find no Scriptures to validate that). Consequently, people lack the faith to truly believe God can heal them.
God can use illness to get people’s attention if they are straying from Him or getting involved in something that will cause them much pain.
God may give someone an infirmity in order to humble that person. (This happened to Paul in 2 Corinthians 12.)
God can allow people to become ill as a means to usher them into heaven. (Not such a bad deal, when you think about it.)
God can use a sickness for His glory when the person endures it with faith, patience and joy.
God can allow people to become ill so He can heal them, thus bringing others to Him who witnessed the miracle (John 9:3).
If people live a lifestyle in which they don’t eat right and don’t exercise, they will suffer the consequences of their bad choices. In that case, they should not expect God to heal them, though sometimes He does. This is an important distinction and one we all should take to heart. There are consequences to all our actions, and like a good parent, God often allows us to suffer them in order that we can learn.
However, God does still heal miraculously! I know because I’ve seen Him do so with friends and family. If you’re sick, be encouraged. Ask God to increase your faith, ask Him if there’s anything you need to learn; then humble yourself, have people pray over you and submit to whatever God has planned for your illness. Whatever it is, it will be for His glory and your good!
MaryLu Tyndall