The Chosen is a series of stories that center around the life of Jesus and those whose lives were touched by Him.
The series tackles some hard questions. One of those is the issue of healing … or more specifically why some people are healed and others are not.
I have wrestled with this issue, as I have witnessed some good Christian people suffer and beg Jesus for healing. Yet it appeared they were not healed.
They died.
Should we count that as a failure on their part? Did they not believe enough? Was there some hidden sin for which they were being punished? Absolutely not.
Should we count it as a failure on God’s part? Did He turn a deaf ear to their suffering and then let them sink until they died? Again absolutely not.
I don’t like suffering for anyone, including myself. I am battling things right now that I would like healed.
But I am reminded of Paul’s words. Paul had a condition that greatly troubled him. He called it his “thorn in the flesh.” He asked The Lord repeatedly to heal him.
He did not get healing as he asked. Instead The Lord said, “My Grace is sufficient for you, for My Power is made perfect in weakness.”
2 Corinthians 12:9
Paul concluded, “Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s Power may rest on me.”
2 Corinthians 12:9
I am not to the boasting part yet. But I understand suffering has a purpose. Weakness drives us to our knees.
It brings the full realization of our powerlessness and our dependence on The Grace and Mercy of The One Who created us.
It strengthens us by providing resistance training.
It tests our faith. It prompts us to consider whether we will trust God to work out His Plan not only in us, but through us, as we minister to others.
Some of the great testimonies of faith were brought to me by God’s suffering servants, some of whom entered the gates of heaven right in front of me.
When we suffer, it is easy to just concentrate on ourselves. But there are others watching and listening to us. They are waiting to see if the faith we profess is real and will hold up as we suffer.
Our faith is real when we seek Jesus Himself and not just the healing He could bring with a Word.
His Grace and Mercy are sufficient … more than sufficient.
James said, “The testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.”
James 1:3-4
If you are suffering and desiring healing, hold on. God is with you and in you. The labor pains have a purpose in producing new Life for you and those around you.
Be faithful to what He is calling you to do this moment and wait expectantly. He will heal you in His Way and His Time.
Those who hope in The Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint!
Isaiah 40:31
Here is the link to the scene from The Chosen where Jesus’ Disciple questions Jesus about why He had not healed him.
