Healing: A Question to Ponder

[BenFTW]

Its interesting though, isn't it? God can do quite a bit of things, but that is irrelevant in certain respects. VVhat good does it do to acknowledge He can do something if you don't believe He will do it for you? In all honesty, I've been at a place where I believed God could heal anyone, but not me. Everyone else was special, not me. I could say God can turn the cup of water on my dinner table into wine, but what does it matter if I don't believe He will for me? He has shown He can, but is He willing for me?

That is the crux of the matter. I think in some respects it can be a heart issue, beyond faith. Does God care about me? Am I on His priority list? God is your heavenly Father, He loves you. Jesus died on the cross for you. He was beaten and whipped so that you would be healed, spiritually and physically. So, the question of His willingness is without question a yes. He adores you.

This goes back to the question to ponder. God can do a lot of things in your life, but are you willing to believe? Acknowledging His capability is one step, but putting faith in His desire to do so is another thing completely. It is what actually manifests the healing, to believe. The expectation.

 

[RickyZ]

​Very true, my afflictions have taught me valuable lessons that I like to share with others. That is why I always write about what I know and have experienced firsthand, such as in my threads below.. I'm not bragging, but I've had dozens upon dozens of people pm me on here and tell me how much my suicide and depression threads have helped them. And I'm always humbled by that, because I don't see myself as inspirational at all.. I just share my stories and hope people can benefit from them.

And there you go - had it not been for the lessons you learned thru your afflictions, those dozens and dozens may have floundered and been lost. When I see how things like this work, I smile and say I wouldn't have it any other way

 

[ForthAngel]

​Not to sound blasphemous or anything, but medical means have healed me ALOT better than God ever has.. Pain meds work wonders..lol .. Fortunately I only take them when I'm in extreme, excruciating agony, cuz I really don't like taking narcotics and usually try getting by on Ibuprofen..

I actually don't like meds either. I've had a herniated disk in my back for 4 weeks now. It's almost better. I took a couple of the narcotic pain killers in the beginning. The rest of the time just ice and rest and prayer and occasionally an ibuprofen. This gave me a lot of time to sit on my butt and do some studying and praying

 

[blue_ladybug]

God loves us dearly and He will use any means possible to effect our healing and soundness. He will use doctors, teaching us sound eating habits..etc. He will meet us wherever our faith is at. He wants us whole. He is not some sick "god" in the sky that wants to teach us something by putting sicknesses on us. That is the spirit of anti-Christ in the air that brings that teaching.

​I have faith the size of Camel's Hump mountain here in Vermont..lol.. What I've never understood about faith is this: God says if you have faith the size of a teeny mustard seed, you can move mountains, yet to Peter, who was afraid, he said "oh you of LITTLE faith". Have you ever seen how little teeny tiny a mustard seed is? lol

 

[RickyZ]

Yes, read it before too. And what?

You're saying I believed God before but not now, therefore it's on me and not God? I do know the Bible pretty well. (Just proved I don't know it perfectly in the last thread that turned into this, so rather stupid to lie and say I know it perfectly now. lol) Pulling out scriptures that don't say anything that I haven't said in my own words doesn't change it. Please note: in every case God did the healing. Belief didn't heal, because belief is an idea -- a noun that is not a person, place or thing, but an idea. Ideas, albeit coo sometimes, cannot do things people can do.) God heals people of different levels of belief, because, and speaking of repeating, IT'S NOT OUR BELIEF. IT'S GOD WORKING IN US AND THROUGH US TO HAND US THAT BELIEF! Just like he handed us salvation, just like he handed us redemption, just like he handed us the desire to trust him, just like he handed us our adoption, just like he does all good things.

I am the receiver, not the giver.

I got news for you. When I cried because I got yet another UTI and then hubby laid hands I me, I was 99.8% sure I'd have that same UTI two minutes later. Why should he heal me? Why am I worth healing? Am I better than anyone else? Do I deserve healing? Did I force God's hand? NO! On every question, yet, surprise-surprise, he healed me.

He has also, sometimes, healed my migraines, and sometimes he doesn't. The one that's very bizarre is the time he heaed me of the terrible allergic reaction I get from a bee stinging me, but I never got it because future-hubby was laying hands on me and praying even before I had time to work up a good cry of panic. This gut-wrenching pain? (Literally-- it wrenches my gut.) 17 years after he healed me of my UTI. I had more faith this time that he might. Alas. He didn't. He still hasn't. It's possible he'll do it in the future, (guaranteed it's gone when I get that new-and-improved, eternal body), but I'm not going to go off and say, "God healed me of chronic pain," until he heals me of it.

He also taught me not to lie.

I'll go back to what Roger said; Faith is not the sole determining factor for working miracles... God's will and plan also come into play. BUT - lack of faith can be the sole determining factor in thwarting Gods plans and will.

I guess a simpler way to put it would be, faith alone may not bring you a miracle, but the lack of faith can keep you from receiving one.

 

[Gr8grace]

God loves us dearly and He will use any means possible to effect our healing and soundness. He will use doctors, teaching us sound eating habits..etc. He will meet us wherever our faith is at. He wants us whole. He is not some sick "god" in the sky that wants to teach us something by putting sicknesses on us. That is the spirit of anti-Christ in the air that brings that teaching.

God doesn't "put" sickness on anyone. He allows it.

Haven't you witnessed it Brother? A person who has lost an arm does more than 10 people with 2 arms. And never miraculously gets his arm back.

A deaf person that listens more than 10 people who have great hearing. And never gets hearing back.

A paralyzed person who has more impact than 10 healthy people. And never gets up from the wheel chair.

A terminally Ill person who Glorifies the Lord more in one day than 10 people do in their whole life combined. and dies, gracefully in their terminal illness.

And had more faith than 1000 healthy, strong Christians.

God loves us dearly and gives us EVERY tool and problem solving device possible to handle sickness and suffering,....... even if the sickness and suffering never leave us.

 

[Grace777x70]

Amen..it does sound like a paradox. I heard a teaching on the mustard seed that was different. He talked about the "Type" of faith the mustard seed had and not the "size" of it.

Even though the seed is small but it had within it the inherit life to become a large plant in the garden. The seed had faith in what the Lord had made it to be so it wasn't phased by it's circumstances when it was just the seed and starting to be itself ( grow )....very interesting teaching about learning who we are in Christ because of what Jesus did for us and Him making us a new creation in Christ.

​I have faith the size of Camel's Hump mountain here in Vermont..lol.. What I've never understood about faith is this: God says if you have faith the size of a teeny mustard seed, you can move mountains, yet to Peter, who was afraid, he said "oh you of LITTLE faith". Have you ever seen how little teeny tiny a mustard seed is? lol

 

[blue_ladybug]

I actually don't like meds either. I've had a herniated disk in my back for 4 weeks now. It's almost better. I took a couple of the narcotic pain killers in the beginning. The rest of the time just ice and rest and prayer and occasionally an ibuprofen. This gave me a lot of time to sit on my butt and do some studying and praying

Oohh Forth, I feel your pain. From November '14 to March 2015, I was stuck in bed with a herniated disk and sciatica in my left leg. The most excruciating agony I've EVER been in. Three trips to the ER, and a 3-day hospital stay, numerous injections in my back, ughh.. I can tell you from first hand experience that sitting is the WORST thing you can do for a herniated disk. Try putting a heat wrap on it. Heat works wonders for me. Other than the pain meds, the ONLY relief I got was when I was laying in bed on my side. Standing, sitting and walking, forget it.. I hope yours gets better soon, because I have felt that agony and it's horrible..

 

[RickyZ]

Absolutely. Look at Blue Ladybug's testimony. God allows her afflictions because thru it dozens and dozens have been helped in their afflictions. That sucks for Ms Blue here and now, but she's storing up treasures in heaven thru the experience.

 

[Grace777x70]

I agree 100% ...God can and will show His love and glory in every situation in life. His will is without a doubt for all of us to be made well and Jesus paid for all sickness with His life and blood.

Our loving Father will do anything He can to effect our wholeness.

God doesn't "put" sickness on anyone. He allows it.

Haven't you witnessed it Brother? A person who has lost an arm does more than 10 people with 2 arms. And never miraculously gets his arm back.

A deaf person that listens more than 10 people who have great hearing. And never gets hearing back.

A paralyzed person who has more impact than 10 healthy people. And never gets up from the wheel chair.

A terminally Ill person who Glorifies the Lord more in one day than 10 people do in their whole life combined. and dies, gracefully in their terminal illness.

And had more faith than 1000 healthy, strong Christians.

God loves us dearly and gives us EVERY tool and problem solving device possible to handle sickness and suffering,....... even if the sickness and suffering never leave us.

 

[phil36]

Its interesting though, isn't it? God can do quite a bit of things, but that is irrelevant in certain respects. VVhat good does it do to acknowledge He can do something if you don't believe He will do it for you? In all honesty, I've been at a place where I believed God could heal anyone, but not me. Everyone else was special, not me. I could say God can turn the cup of water on my dinner table into wine, but what does it matter if I don't believe He will for me? He has shown He can, but is He willing for me?

That is the crux of the matter. I think in some respects it can be a heart issue, beyond faith. Does God care about me? Am I on His priority list? God is your heavenly Father, He loves you. Jesus died on the cross for you. He was beaten and whipped so that you would be healed, spiritually and physically. So, the question of His willingness is without question a yes. He adores you.

This goes back to the question to ponder. God can do a lot of things in your life, but are you willing to believe? Acknowledging His capability is one step, but putting faith in His desire to do so is another thing completely. It is what actually manifests the healing, to believe. The expectation.

Hi Ben,

All God's children are on His priority list. Again same WOF/health/wealth theolgy - I keep saying that as I don't think you know the theology that is deep rooted behind the beliefs you are propagating. And even just a quick read of your post and one can see that your view is 'over - realized'.

Sickness can be a great faith builder and character strengthener - have you heard Joni Tada? A great woman with tremendous faith.

Best to learn Ben the theology behind what you are saying.

 

[blue_ladybug]

I'll go back to what Roger said; Faith is not the sole determining factor for working miracles... God's will and plan also come into play. BUT - lack of faith can be the sole determining factor in thwarting Gods plans and will.

I guess a simpler way to put it would be, faith alone may not bring you a miracle, but the lack of faith can keep you from receiving one.

So how come people with HUGE amounts of faith sometimes don't get healed, yet the ones with small faith sometimes do?? It kinda ticks me off when someone tries telling me that I'm not healed because I don't have enough faith. If I didn't have immense faith, I wouldn't be alive today and that's a fact!!

 

[Grace777x70]

As far as healing goes.....it is the will of the Father for all of us to be well physically...but some don't get healed..why?

...the same way some people get saved and others don't when the gospel is preached to them.....but some do get saved...

our outer body is getting older and thank God we will get a new one some day..but sickness is not from God.

All who came to Jesus were healed..

You never see Jesus saying to those who came to Him:

1)..I can't heal you today as you have sin in your life....

2) No healing for you until you repent of hating your mother-in-law

3) No can do..no healing for you...you have a generational curse that needs to be taken care of first.

4) Definitely I will NOT heal you - as the Father wants to "teach" you something

All these above are man-made traditions and religious beliefs not grounded on the word of God. We cannot make our experience change what Jesus did in His life here on earth to reveal the heart and will of our good, loving Father.

Jesus did the will of the Father. God does not cause sickness to happen but He sure can prove His love and grace for us in every situation when we are attacked.

We will find out when we meet Him why some weren't healed but we cannot go by experience to validate whether what scripture says is true or not.


Jesus is perfect theology:

Jesus is the exact representation of the Father. Jesus said no one knows my Father. So, whatever understanding of God we get from the Old Covenant that doesn't line up with Jesus' manifestation of the Father will be inaccurate.

Hebrews 1:1-3 (NASB)
[SUP]1 [/SUP] God, after He spoke long ago to the fathers in the prophets in many portions and in many ways,
[SUP]2 [/SUP] in these last days has spoken to us in His Son, whom He appointed heir of all things, through whom also He made the world.
[SUP]3 [/SUP] And He is the radiance of His glory and the exact representation of His nature, and upholds all things by the word of His power. When He had made purification of sins, He sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high,

 

[crossnote]

God loves us dearly and He will use any means possible to effect our healing and soundness. He will use doctors, teaching us sound eating habits..etc. He will meet us wherever our faith is at. He wants us whole. He is not some sick "god" in the sky that wants to teach us something by putting sicknesses on us. That is the spirit of anti-Christ in the air that brings that teaching.

I thought we were supposed to play fair.
Now when you are not in agreement it is anti-Christ teaching?

 

[crossnote]

Its interesting though, isn't it? God can do quite a bit of things, but that is irrelevant in certain respects. VVhat good does it do to acknowledge He can do something if you don't believe He will do it for you? In all honesty, I've been at a place where I believed God could heal anyone, but not me. Everyone else was special, not me. I could say God can turn the cup of water on my dinner table into wine, but what does it matter if I don't believe He will for me? He has shown He can, but is He willing for me?

That is the crux of the matter. I think in some respects it can be a heart issue, beyond faith. Does God care about me? Am I on His priority list? God is your heavenly Father, He loves you. Jesus died on the cross for you. He was beaten and whipped so that you would be healed, spiritually and physically. So, the question of His willingness is without question a yes. He adores you.

This goes back to the question to ponder. God can do a lot of things in your life, but are you willing to believe? Acknowledging His capability is one step, but putting faith in His desire to do so is another thing completely. It is what actually manifests the healing, to believe. The expectation.

I notice in your avatar (that is you?) you are wearing glasses...

 

[Depleted]

You know what? Many many times I have literally BEGGED and pleaded with God to heal me. I have cried out loud, "in the name of Jesus Christ, heal me". Guess what? I'm still not healed and despite what some believe, God does NOT instantly heal people. If he did, I would've been healed at age 5 of my epilepsy. I would've been healed at age 40, when my back really started to incapacitate me. But nooo.. I still have epilepsy and I still have a bad back, bad bones all around. :/ Being healed has NOTHING to do with how much faith or belief a person has. That's a total crock, so don't try to convince me it's true..

Like Lynn said, if I were meant to be healed, I would have been a long time ago. Only God knows the reason why he doesn't heal ALL people. So what am I supposed to do? Throw a tantrum and demand God to heal me? Been there, done that, didn't work. :/ Sooo, I do the only thing I CAN do: persevere through all the pain, and look forward to my eternal pain-free body. I would give ANYTHING to go just one day without any back twinges, creaks, cracks, moans and groans of stupid bad bones.. To go just one day without ANY seizures. One day soon I will, but until then I have to live in this wretched body because that is what God wants me to do.

God does NOT instantly heal people. He really did instantaneously heal me from the UTI. (Good thing. We only had one toilet, and I tend to want to hog it when UTI came. lol)

ALL people. So what am I supposed to do? Throw a tantrum and demand God to heal me? Been there, done that, didn't work. :/ Me too! What's up with that? I'm very good at tantrums.

I would give ANYTHING to go just one day without any back twinges, creaks, cracks, moans and groans of stupid bad bones. Maybe not. I got a shot in the back and I was pain free two days later. (I spent the day pulling weeds in the garden, just because that was something I would love to do more often, if the pain didn't slow me down. lol) The next day it was back. It felt a lot like being Mike Tyson's sparring partner, but he told me which punch he'd purposely not land. He punches fast and furious, so it was nice to miss one punch, but since I still remembered earlier punches and the next day I was back to being punched again, it really wasn't worth knowing it would go back to normal. Those shots in the back, at best, only last three months. The first time I got one it felt like someone slammed me in the back with a 2 X 4. Worse yet, the original pain was still there. The 2 X 4 last three days. Nothing like looking forward to going back to just the original pain. Very few people get relief the first attempt. All that and those shots cost $8500 each, plus a day of your life. ($450 copay with my insurance.) Hard to believe, but one pain-free day knowing the next day you get it back really isn't as good as it sounds.

You and me? Day One in heaven. Let's get jiggy praising God.

 

[Grace777x70]

Ok...good point...let's use scripture as our guide ...

Show me in the life on Jesus on this earth where Christ puts sickness on people to teach them things....He is the exact representation of the Father's nature.

Show me Christ's life here on this earth telling people that He wants them sick to teach them something?

Show me the scripture where Jesus on this earth displaying and doing the will of the Father puts sickness on people.

I thought we were supposed to play fair.
Now when you are not in agreement it is anti-Christ teaching?

 

[Gr8grace]

So how come people with HUGE amounts of faith sometimes don't get healed, yet the ones with small faith sometimes do?? It kinda ticks me off when someone tries telling me that I'm not healed because I don't have enough faith. If I didn't have immense faith, I wouldn't be alive today and that's a fact!!

Through suffering we can Glorify God and build character.

Why does it seem that people with a lot of faith(doctrine in the soul) suffer more? Because they can handle it.

It called pruning. He prunes(allows suffering) the branches that produce fruit, so they can produce more fruit.

 

[RickyZ]

So how come people with HUGE amounts of faith sometimes don't get healed, yet the ones with small faith sometimes do?? It kinda ticks me off when someone tries telling me that I'm not healed because I don't have enough faith. If I didn't have immense faith, I wouldn't be alive today and that's a fact!!

Faith is a factor. With faith God may still have other plans ... like the dozens your affliction experiences have helped.

But the flip side is, that God may have plans to heal somebody, but a lack of faith stops them from receiving it.

With faith you MAY be healed. Without faith it just ain't ever going to happen.

 

[BenFTW]

So how come people with HUGE amounts of faith sometimes don't get healed, yet the ones with small faith sometimes do?? It kinda ticks me off when someone tries telling me that I'm not healed because I don't have enough faith. If I didn't have immense faith, I wouldn't be alive today and that's a fact!!

You believe with absolute certainty that God can heal you. That isn't the same as actualizing the healing because there is no expectation or faith involved. I can believe God can turn the moon pink, but do I believe He will? No. Again, believing in God's capability to do something is not the equivalent of believing in faith that He will.

I don't say this to discredit your experience or for you to divulge your heart for all the world to see. Thats between you and God. All I am saying is that expectation is key and so too is the question of, "will He do it for me?" To believe in God's capability to do something is all good and well, and in His mercy He just might but that isn't the faith that believes. It is a hope, but it is not believing in faith.

A person is free to do either, to hope, or to believe in faith. The distinction matters and the results are clear.