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Sickness and Faith
July 10, 2020
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Yesterday when I saw the news of Tropical Storm Fay headed to the East Coast, I looked up to God and simply said, "Really?" We're still battling COVID19, attacking racism, and dealing with economic flux. I feel like I can't take another thing. My cup runneth over with "stuff" and I'm over it.
Whenever I feel myself getting faint from life—in those moments when I think the next thing is going to be my breaking point, I remember the sick woman in the Bible. Sure, there are plenty of Bible verses that inspire us to go on. Isaiah 40:31 says if we wait on God that He will renew our strength. Joshua 1:9 reminds us to be strong and courageous. These are good verses to commit to memory. However, sometimes, I need to know somebody who has been through the storm.
When we are going through tough times, it's good to hear somebody say, "I've been there." So during this time in my life when I'm trying to stay safe, healthy, and sane I look to the sick woman in Mark 5. We don't even know her name but we can learn a lot from her.
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"She had heard about Jesus, so she came up behind him through the crowd and touched the fringe of his robe."
Mark 5:27 NLT
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Lord, God Almighty, give us strength to keep going, to keep trusting you and believing that you will make us whole again. Heal our broken hearts and minds so that we can be everything you say we are. Amen!
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All three gospels tell us about the "bleeding woman" and you have probably heard it preached more than once. We don't even know her name. Mark 5:25-34 tells her story. If we just read the passage we learn a few things about this sick woman. However, if we study the passage, we learn a lot more from her behavior.
She sought help.
The Bible tells us that this woman had been going to the doctor for years and trying many different treatments. Verse 26 says she spent everything she had to pay them. She was sick and she went to get help from those who were qualified to help her.
We cannot do this alone. We need help.
She believed God.
The doctors did not help the woman. In fact, she got worse. She could have resolved to stay sick but she didn't. She did not give up. It doesn't matter how long you've been suffering, do not give up on God. He has the ability to change your situation.
God will either change the situation or change you in the situation.
"Immediately" is not always immediate
Verse 29 says that she was "immediately healed" but we know she had been going to doctors and spending all her money on treatments for 12 years. Your "immediate" healing is not always immediate, so take it day by day. Choose not to be discouraged.
Embrace self-care and keep pushing your way forward.
Faith is more than prayer.
Jesus told the woman that her faith healed her. She never said anything about faith, but Jesus knew her faith by what she had done. Faith without corresponding action is dead, useless faith. Our faith is the power that moves us to action. When we want to give up, it is our faith in Jesus that keeps us moving forward.
Keep going. Don't give up.
When we are desperate for Jesus to heal us or our situations, we have to fall on our knees and pray then GET BACK UP and put our faith to work. Mark5:33 says the woman was "frightened and trembling" when she told Jesus she touched him. Having courage doesn't mean that you're not scared. It means you have decided that the benefit of change far outweighs the fear.
Be courageous.
...and remember God loves you.
Stay Safe. Stay Healthy. Stay Sane.
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| Self-Care Tip for the Times: |
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| Each afternoon I run my essential oils aromatherapy diffuser for 45 minutes while I eat a spinach-based lunch for magnesium that has positive effect on serotonin and mood. |
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