Reaching for Healing

Last post I was challenged to have faith in God’s healing power and His love for me, and to see healing primarily as freedom from sin. In short, I RECOGNIZED my need for healing and the possibility of accepting that freedom.  First, I RECOGNIZE, but then I must REACH.

A most strikingly evident example of this in the Gospels is the woman with a hemorrhage.  She had suffered despite the care of doctors for many years.  This poor woman had tried earthly remedies with zero positive results. The physicians were focused only on her physical being.  The result: her “life-blood” was draining from her. 

Many seek healing in medicine, psychologists, exercise, and home remedies.  All of these can be good and may serve a very noble purpose on our path to sanctity.  But, when these are separated from the power of God, when we do not seek to heal our PERSON, we in the end are not fully healed.  Our wounds and pains, rather, should lead us to Jesus.  At some point we must take action – and we much reach out for the Lord. 

The woman in the Gospel first HEARD.  Hearing is not just a matter of sound waves vibrating the ear drum; it is a matter of listening and in this case, listening to and about the Word. By LISTENING, this woman believed. Her listening and faith required a response if her desire was to be fulfilled: “She had heard about Jesus and came up behind him in the crowd and touched his cloak.  She said, ‘If I but touch his clothes, I shall be cured.’” 

This good woman knew that in the midst of the crowd she had little chance of speaking to Jesus. Undoubtedly, she was weak and tired, and perhaps overwhelmed.  But, she knew she had to do something, she reached out and touched his cloak. “Immediately, the flow of blood dried up. She felt in her body that she was healed of her affliction.”

Some of us are able to speak, some of us are able to go long distances, some of us have the courage to shout in the midst of a crowd. Then, there are those of us who are too sick in body or soul to do such things. Our only strength is our faith, and our hope is in letting it move us to reach out.  This was the woman’s act of faith, no words or great deeds were necessary, only a simple touch springing from faith in the Word of God and a desire to draw strength from that Word.  Within us there must be a desire to overcome and act against obstacles. There must be a spark of love or even desperation that pushes us through the throngs of this earthly life to touch, even gently, the Divine Healer. 

And when He turns to us, we may confidently tell the whole truth, holding nothing back, and allowing Him to further illuminate our minds and calm our fears. In the light of Truth we come face to face with the roots of our weakness, vulnerability, and pain. However, having reached out to Him in faith and willing to fall before Him in truth and hope, we too will hear the words of Christ, “Courage… your faith has saved you. Go in peace and be healed of your affliction.”

He wills our peace; so must we.