“Jesus traveled throughout the region of Galilee, teaching in the synagogues and announcing the Good News about the Kingdom. And He healed every kind of disease and illness.” (Matthew 4:23 NLT)
Why do you think Jesus put so much emphasis on physical healing while He shared the Good News of the Kingdom of God? On the other hand, why do you think there is so little emphasis on divine, God-provided and Spirit directed physical healing today in America? Perhaps a major reason was that the life expectancy was much less in Jesus’ lifetime, as it still is in many parts of our world where hospitals and medical facilities and personnel are limited.
The priority of physical health is revealed in many ways, not the least of which is how we commonly greet one another: “How are you doing?” Which often has reference to how we’re feeling physically. If we’re not well physically it can impact every area of our lives. What we’re able to accomplish, how we interact with other people, how we think, how we process information, etc.
On the other hand, when we feel good physically, it impacts virtually every avenue of our lives. It takes discipline and determination to continue to function in a semi-normal pattern when plagued by chronic pain, fatigue, and other physical issues with which we commonly wrestle.
Do you understand that health – how we feel physically – is often the result of how we think. You’ve likely heard the term “psychosomatic” which means “of, relating to, involving, or concerned with bodily symptoms caused by mental or emotional disturbance.” (Merriam-Webster) What we think about comes about.
It’s interesting to me that the word used in the Bible, which we translate “to heal,” is the word from which comes our English word “therapy.”
Jesus understood, as we must, that when we’re focused on how badly we feel, or pondering all the implications of the doctor’s diagnosis, whatever that may be, our body is going to take its cues from our mind. If we think sickness, we’re going to be sick. Likewise, the more we can focus on wellness, or more to the point – wholeness – the better able we are to respond meaningfully and positively to the Lord.
Does that mean if I have a chronic illness, all I have to do is think “happy” thoughts and I’ll be all better? Not necessarily, but if we can position our mind to focus on Jesus and the good that He is bringing to our life even in the midst of our pain and suffering, we’re far more apt to heal more quickly and be more spiritually attentive.
The critical ingredient, or basis, of health – mental, emotional, physical, financial, relational – every area of our lives, is trust. Mark Driscoll wrote: “We are to trust the Lord. We are not to test the Lord.” There’s rarely a more pronounced opportunity for us to exhibit our lack of trust in God than in crisis. We “test” the Lord with our doubt, fear and lack of trust.
We set our mind on a journey of “what if’s” that only force our mind to travel away from the peace, confidence, and dependence that should be focused on God’s intervention and the fulfillment of His purposes in the crisis. There’s no such thing as an accident and nothing ever catches God by surprise. If He allows it, He has a plan to use it for our good and His glory.
The words “faith, belief, and trust” are all from the same “family,” and mean confidence in God’s ability and willingness to always do good and what is ultimately in our best interest. He’s a loving Father and will never do anything to or for His children that will be motivated by anything but His love.
Only trust Him!
Blessings, Ed 😊
Walking With Jesus 