A friend related his story to me recently. He and his family had gone through a series of fierce trials—psychologically, physically and spiritually.
One of the toughest things for him to comprehend during this time was the reaction of his Christian colleagues.
They couldn’t seem to understand. Their reaction was basically, “Pray more. Read the Bible more. Suck it up. Put on your big-boy pants and get on with life.” Instead of encouraging him, they just added another brick to his load.
How do we respond to hurting people?
That depends, because I think we’re talking about at least two categories of hurt. One is those who are staggering under a trial that’s threatens to crush them. A second category consists of people who are perpetually suffering—and they like it. Miserable is agreeable to them.
Do You REALLY Want To Be Healed?
Let’s talk about the second first. Jesus walks up to an invalid of 38 years, who is lounging by the pool of Bethesda. “Do you want to be healed?” He asks the man.
What a question! Sure he wants to be healed … doesn’t he? Think a minute. Maybe. This man had a lot to lose. One second after his healing he’s unemployed! He’s no longer the center of attention nor an object of pity. He’s entered a new life and that’s scary because even if his present life is bad, he’s adapted himself to it. He likes his habits. Now …?
“Do you want to be healed?”
Down and Bleeding
Let’s not linger with this fellow. Let’s talk about the person who gets whapped right in the face by life, and is still bleeding.
“Cancer, car wrecks, unemployment, unfaithfulness, divorce, sin, depression, boredom, hurting children.” Even the thought of these situations sends a wave of weakness breaking over us. When others are going through them, though, we often think the solution is different than when we struggle with them.
An elderly friend tells of the time her mother went to talk to the priest about her problems. His counsel was something like: “Buck up and quit feeling sorry for yourself.” She wasn’t comforted! Mad was probably a better description.
You see, that’s good advice—for you. But, me, that’s a different story. Can we really “stand up!” before we’re healed?
We wouldn’t ask a baseball pitcher with a broken arm to take the mound again until his arm healed.
How Does Healing Come?
We need to know that God is for us when we hurt. How does God respond to our pain? He promised that He would never leave us or forsake us (Heb. 13:5), so even when I feel alone, I’m sure He’s there. When my heart is broken, He’s even nearer: “The LORD is close to the brokenhearted, and he delivers those whose spirit has been crushed.” (Psa 34:18, CEV)
You don’t feel Him? He’s still there. He said it.
Using “floods” and “flames” as metaphors for anything that tries to destroy us, God’s Spirit says through Isaiah:
“But now thus saith the LORD that created thee, O Jacob, and he that formed thee, O Israel, Fear not: for I have redeemed thee, I have called thee by thy name; thou art mine. When thou passest through the waters, I will be with thee; and through the rivers, they shall not overflow thee: when thou walkest through the fire, thou shalt not be burned; neither shall the flame kindle upon thee.
For I am the LORD thy God, the Holy One of Israel, thy Saviour: I gave Egypt for thy ransom, Ethiopia and Seba for thee. Since thou wast precious in my sight, thou hast been honourable, and I have loved thee: therefore will I give men for thee, and people for thy life.” (Isa. 43:1-4)
What a healing factor to know that Jesus has borne our sicknesses, our sorrows, our pain, our sins, our failings, our weaknesses, our hurt, our fear, our … you name it. He bore it on the Cross. He knows exactly how your pain feels because He carried it and He’s able to heal it. (Isa. 53:1-4)
It’s critical to get healed before you go back into the game. All the “rah, rah, rah, sis, boom, bahs!” of the cheerleaders won’t help you if your leg is broken.
Go to the Lord Jesus and let Him heal you. He may heal you instantly or He may do it over a period of time.
Get Up!
All the same, don’t stay in the hospital afterwards. It’s comfortable there and people wait on you (I’m not too crazy about those needles, though), but we weren’t made for the sick ward. Get healed, then get up, put on your big boy pants and get about winning your game for the Lord Jesus.
He’s the medicine that heals you and the power that fuels your life. Healing and infilling of His Spirit and power. Jesus has both of them for you.
Hmm …
Your vision determines how you spend your time. Jeremy Stratton