What is the deal with healing?

[Michelle]

Why is healing such a big deal? Why did Jesus heal so many people? Why did prophets and apostles heal people?

Maybe I'm having a little difficulty understanding the full importance of physical healing because I really haven't experienced a lot of sickness in my life. I think the worse illness I remember was having the mumps at 16. I've never even been to an emergency room, except as a parent, and those problems were fixed up quickly with casts, stitches, and rehydration.

Of course I've lost loved ones, but mostly that has been because of sudden death, or very old age. I've prayed lots for people to be healed, and some have been, and some haven't been. I accept all that as the will of God, but why does He ever heal anyone?

[AaronBDisney]

I would say he heals because he's merciful. If He doesn't want me to have to go through sickness or pain he can end it immediately. He does not do this for me most of the time, yet, in times of pain or sickness I pray for his mercy.

I'm like you and don't get sick alot. My wife, however, because of a pretty major accident a few years ago deals with a lot of spinal and migraine pain. We pray for her each and every time. Most times it just has to work itself out, but I remember once we prayed for her and the pain left immediately.

I had an accident and the doctor said he would have to remove my kidney, becuase it had ruptured. Just as a concession to my mother's request, the doctor allowed me to wait overnight while they prayed. The next day, the doctor was surprised to see that it was healing itself and I still have 2 today becuase of that.

A girl that I go to church with came in with a broken foot and walking on crutches. We prayed for her and God immediately healed her and she walked out with a fused bone and no crutches.

These things, as I say, are very rare in my life and those around me. But God still heals from time to time. I'd say he does so more often in those areas of the world where the gospel has yet to be preached, or is not well known, in order to validate it. But because God is so merciful to His children, at his discretion, he will heal us when it is his will to do so. But I think that when He does, He intends more out of it than our physical relief. I believe He has placed an evangelical tool in our hands and a strengthened reliance on His power and compassion.

[Jason]

This is a very interesting subject. It does seem, in light of our short time here, rather meaningless to heal a person of sickness at all. Jesus raised Lazarus, but he died again a few years later. Jesus healed lepers who would later die of some other ailment. He raised a little girl from the dead, but she would some day grow ill and die as well. Considering these things, my thought is that Jesus healed simply because he had compassion on them in their current circumstance. It may have also been prophetic in a sense. Jesus heals a temporary illness, but it's really just a taste of what's to come in the new creation. Another consideration is a show of authority. When an illness is caused by a demon (like a spirit of muteness) then Jesus healing such a person would show his authority over the demonic realm.

[steve]

Aaron and Jason,

Those are very good answers.

[Michelle]

Thanks, Aaron and Jason, you both gave me ideas to ponder. Jason, your thoughts about our short time here are the same thoughts I was having when I decided to ask the question.

I also got to thinking that the fact that God does heal people, and it's not as rare an occurrence as you might imagine, probably means that our physical bodies are important to God; which, now that I've typed it, seems like a huge d'uh. It's just that I've encounter a lot of people lately who say that our physical bodies are evil and that only spirits can be pure. If that's true, then why would God fix up our evil bodies? Just a thought.

Thinking about healing brings up another question that is only barely related, but it's been on my mind the last few days. What do you guys think about the idea of seeking emotional healing? There is a grievous sin I committed decades ago, but was advised lately that even though I've been forgiven, the ramifications of it could be negatively affecting my outlook. There is a Christian retreat (actually it's Catholic) I can attend where they will lead me through exercises that are supposed to bring emotional healing. Does that seem a wise and/or biblical thing to do?

[Suzana]

..was advised lately that even though I've been forgiven, the ramifications of it could be negatively affecting my outlook

Hi Michelle,

Regarding this statement, I’m not sure if this is something you yourself judge to be likely, or under what circumstances you came to be told this.
Since it is something that has been on your mind, it seems you do need to resolve some issues about it – hopefully there is a mature Christian you trust that you can discuss this with more openly, perhaps someone that is already aware of the circumstances?

At any rate, if I were you I would at least want to first find out the details about the program used at the retreat, and what exactly goes on, and also if it is based on scriptural principles or not. You’d then be able to better evaluate how helpful it would be to you, and also ensure it wouldn’t be harmful instead.

[AaronBDisney]

I also got to thinking that the fact that God does heal people, and it's not as rare an occurrence as you might imagine

I guess I worded my post a little wrong. Happens to me all the time .

It's actually not 'very rare' in my life as I said, but I would say that my prayers for healing go unanswered more often than they get answered, which tells me that God would rather I go through some type of suffering while trusting in him than that I just get my each and every ache and pain lifted.

I agree with Suzana, if this retreat involves anything that is extrabiblical or even unbiblical, you might find that your answer is found elsewhere. No doubt your answer is found in the Words of God.

I certainly do believe that God can emotionally heal you, but what I think He is usually concerned with is not to zap your struggles away, but to show us that through the power of the Spirit we can overcome anything that would hold us back, so that we may "forget those things which are behind and reach forward to the things which are before".

[Michelle]

..was advised lately that even though I've been forgiven, the ramifications of it could be negatively affecting my outlook

Hi Michelle,

Regarding this statement, I’m not sure if this is something you yourself judge to be likely, or under what circumstances you came to be told this.
Since it is something that has been on your mind, it seems you do need to resolve some issues about it – hopefully there is a mature Christian you trust that you can discuss this with more openly, perhaps someone that is already aware of the circumstances?

At any rate, if I were you I would at least want to first find out the details about the program used at the retreat, and what exactly goes on, and also if it is based on scriptural principles or not. You’d then be able to better evaluate how helpful it would be to you, and also ensure it wouldn’t be harmful instead.

Good thoughts, thanks. I will keep praying about, and looking into, the specifics of this program.

[Michelle]

I also got to thinking that the fact that God does heal people, and it's not as rare an occurrence as you might imagine

I guess I worded my post a little wrong. Happens to me all the time .

It's actually not 'very rare' in my life as I said, but I would say that my prayers for healing go unanswered more often than they get answered, which tells me that God would rather I go through some type of suffering while trusting in him than that I just get my each and every ache and pain lifted.

Nah, I think you worded you post very well. I was kind of agreeing with you. Healings that I've had a part in praying for and seeing those prays answered in the affirmative are less in number than those that weren't answered the way we hoped, but they did happen. If everyone knows someone who has been healed, then it's hard to say it's a rare occurrence, no?

I agree with Suzana, if this retreat involves anything that is extrabiblical or even unbiblical, you might find that your answer is found elsewhere. No doubt your answer is found in the Words of God.

I certainly do believe that God can emotionally heal you, but what I think He is usually concerned with is not to zap your struggles away, but to show us that through the power of the Spirit we can overcome anything that would hold us back, so that we may "forget those things which are behind and reach forward to the things which are before".

Good verse to quote!

[Jim]

Why is healing such a big deal? Why did Jesus heal so many people? Why did prophets and apostles heal people?

Maybe I'm having a little difficulty understanding the full importance of physical healing because I really haven't experienced a lot of sickness in my life. I think the worse illness I remember was having the mumps at 16. I've never even been to an emergency room, except as a parent, and those problems were fixed up quickly with casts, stitches, and rehydration.

Of course I've lost loved ones, but mostly that has been because of sudden death, or very old age. I've prayed lots for people to be healed, and some have been, and some haven't been. I accept all that as the will of God, but why does He ever heal anyone?

It is one of the very purposes of the incarnation of Christ, to heal us from the wound of Adam's sin. Christ Jesus incarnation, life, death and ressurection set us free from the bondages of Satan, Sin and most of all death. He laid the grown work, now it is up to us to grab hold of the grace given and take the medicine so to speak to heal. The three stages catharsis (purification), theoria (illumination, the knowledge of God) and theosis (the process of being freed from sin, Being united with God, divination) and is consummated in the ressurection.