Day Fourteen: The Gift of Health

The Gift of Health*

3 John 2: “Beloved, I pray that you may prosper in all things, and be in health, just as your soul prospers.” (New King James Bible)

Isaiah 53:5 “…and by His stripes we are healed.” (New King James Bible) (emphasis mine; present tense)

Psalm 103:3 He forgives your sins—every one. He heals your diseases—every one. (The Message)

These are just three of the many verses on healing and health. We know that it is God’s will and purpose for us to live in health. So why do so many of us, me included, have health issues? When we pray for people to be healed, why aren’t they?

These are, frankly, questions that I have struggled with for a long time.  I will be taking my husband to the hospital in less than two hours to have his fifth surgery in less than two years. We have prayed for him to be healed. Others have prayed for him to be healed. He has been anointed with oil and prayed over to be healed. So why hasn’t he been healed?

It is not because we don’t believe God can heal him. We do. I have seen God’s healing power work in my own life and the lives of others. We know God can heal.

I think illness is a part of life. I’m not saying we should accept it as such. We should always pray and believe for healing.  What I am saying is because of the sin of Adam and Eve, evil entered the world and sickness is part of that evil. I do not believe sickness is punishment for a sin that the sick person committed!  I am only saying that I believe illness is part of the evil in the world and because we live in the world, there will be times when we are sick. 

Regardless of how we get sick, or why we get sick, our responsibility as Christians is to believe for healing. We should ask God to use the illness as a time to teach us things He wants us to know and make this a time for spiritual growth.

Father, I pray that you will touch each person that reads this blog today. If they are ill, I pray in the name of Jesus that You will heal them as they read this blog. Strengthen their faith in Your healing power.  Help them to lean on You to meet all of their needs, Thank you Father for loving us so much You desire for us to live full and healthy lives here on earth. AMEN.

*Written December 14, 2009

© 2009 Edwina E. Cowgill