Jesus went through all the towns and villages, teaching in their synagogues, proclaiming the good news of the kingdom and healing every disease and sickness.

Matthew 9:35 (NIV)

 

I understand that healing is a very sensitive topic.

When it comes to healing, there is still much mystery and discovery as we learn to live the life that Christ has called us to. What is most helpful is to base our understanding of healing on who we are and what we have in Christ, rather than our own or others' experiences.

Knowing that we are uniquely created in Christ is essential for our well-being and wholeness. It will increase our ability to receive healing for both emotional and physical pain. Do not be afraid or embarrassed to ask for healing and mercy. Bartimaeus was not. Neither was the Syrophoenician woman.

Sometimes we feel our faith is too small or too weak. The best thing to do is to rest in God's perfect love, and a personal encounter with the revelation of His love will transform your faith (Galatians 5:6). Do not settle for low or no expectations. Ask the Holy Spirit to stir and strengthen your faith as you follow His lead. This is critical because healing is rarely instant or immediate; instead, it is a gradual process.

Now, it appears (on the surface) in the four gospels that Jesus healed people in a single powerful moment, but for many of us, healing seems to take forever. I believe it is helpful that Jesus tells us that healing is a form of warfare against the kingdom of darkness and deception (Luke 13:16; Hebrews 2:14-16). Satan will mercilessly attack us through sickness and disease, and we must learn to withstand the attacks. That is why healing is a process, so that we can stand up to our adversary.

Once I understand who I am and what I have in Christ, I no longer pray as a sick person hoping to get well, but as a healed person fighting sickness and Satan. Nothing strengthens our faith more than knowing from Christ's finished work that we can walk in health and wholeness as we follow Him.