I am currently reading Wearing God by Lauren F. Winner. Of course, this post is in no way a discussion of her book. It’s just that the first chapter of the book, “The God who runs after your friendship” she mentions God as healer. It was those two words that caught my attention. I really had no choice but to ponder about God as Healer. Really, those words just kept going around in my and I could not continue reading.
As I thought about this, I was reminded of how often we are more than willing to turn to God to heal not just our friends and families from what ails them, but to heal ourselves from pain, sickness and disease, etc.
Then I started to think about the family members that I took care of illness. My mother with her chronic pains that eventually debilitated her. My brother was diagnosed with terminal cancer. And, finally, my dad who in his later years developed heart disease and Alzheimer’s. Of course, I and other members of my family individually prayed for the healing of our family members. But mostly we prayed for physical healing because we wanted them to stay with us as the thought of life without them seemed unbearable.
The other day I went out to lunch with a friend of mine and she introduced me to four of her friends from church. I enjoyed myself and we talked about different things. It was a good conversation. The conversation turned to physical issues. I mentioned my aches and pains caused by fibromyalgia, as well as arthritis in all my joints. She asked me if I considered praying for me to be healed of fibromyalgia and arthritis. I said no and she gave me an odd look. I told her that in comparison to what other people were going through my aches and pains, though they may hinder my physical abilities, they I was not in excruciating pain nor was I terminal.
I want to make clear that I am not being a martyr or humble. It is just that I believe that we all will eventually experience physical pain, and/or discomfort. Whether it is because of an accident, genetics, or age. It may be temporary or permanent. But it is a fact of life.
I am not sure when, why or how I became aware that my prayers should be focused on the healing of a person’s spirit and emotional state, strength to withstand what they are going through and for God‘s grace to be with the family and friends of the person who is suffering.
I say this because when we pray for someone to be healed, and if it is God’s will that they be healed, then we also must consider it that there may be difficult times ahead that comes with that healing.
As for me, I pray for the strength and the grace to accept God‘s decision and think about how fortunate we were to have had that person with us in life.
When all is said and done, what choice do we have?
Millie Padilla 