REMINDERS
Written by Deborah.
9/1/02
As we study God's Word we learn there are at least 4 different meanings for healing. Healing deliverance can be instantaneous, which is a miracle and sometimes involves phenomenon. Or it may require time, as in progressive healing that takes place over a period of time.
To heal means to restore to health.
There is no cause to remove, which means there must have been health at one time or it could not be restored. Restoration of health implies that health has been lost, robbed by the adversary. (Which rules out the cripple at the Temple gate Beautiful, who was lame from his mother's womb or the man blind from birth in John 9.) To restore to health implies a progression of recovery, and this may take time.
"…they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover." Mark 16:18
To heal is to cure.
When the cause is removed, the symptoms disappear. (I.E. a splinter under the skin) To cure is to set free from the condition causing the trouble.
"And I brought him to thy disciples, and they could not cure him. Then Jesus answered and said, 'O faithless and perverse generation, how long shall I be with you? How long shall I suffer (forbear) you? Bring him hither to me.' And Jesus rebuked the devil; and he departed out of him and the child was cured from that very hour." Matthew 17:16-18
"Then he called his twelve disciples together, and gave them power and authority over all devils and to cure diseases." Luke 9:1
To heal is to make sound or whole.
To bring into existence that which was not; to put a part in. (A Dr. can do it--surely God can.) To put a part in that is needed, be it physical or mental. Emphasis on "make" and the power that is latent w/in us as Christians with Christ in us.
"And a certain man lame from his mother's womb was carried, whom they laid daily at the gate of the temple which is called Beautiful, to ask alms of them that entered into the temple; who seeing Peter and John about to go into the temple asked an alms. And Peter fastening his eyes upon him with John, said, 'Look on us.' And he gave heed unto them, expecting to receive something of them. Then Peter said, 'Silver and gold have I none; but such as I have give I thee: in the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth rise up and walk.' And he took him by the right hand, and lifted him up: and immediately his feet and anklebones received strength. And he leaping up stood, and walked, and entered with them into the temple, walking and leaping and praying God. " Acts 3:2-8
To heal is to reconcile.
To bring back together that which has been severed, separated, or moved apart. To make into perfect oneness again.
"When they which were about him saw what would follow, they said unto him, Lord, shall we smite with the sword? And one of them smote the servant of the high priest, and cut off this right ear. And Jesus answered and said, 'Suffer ye thus far.' And he touched his ear, and healed him." Luke 22:49-51
It's been just over 4 wks. since I broke my little toe on my left foot. If I tried to break it again in the same manner, it would be impossible. It swelled up w/in an hour and looked like a large "blueberry" as Danielle clearly stated. The pain was neither intense nor unbearable. Actually, it really didn't hurt at all--until the next day. I was very annoyed that my "extra elusive" 5 lbs. wouldn't be worked off through intense exercise before our mini-CA reunion, just 7 days away. I was very inconvenienced that my outside chores of feeding all the animals had to be done in one boot on the right foot and a slipper on the left foot. (Thank you Mark & Sandy for introducing me to those 'Ashly slippers', however, have you ever stepped in a big cow pattie, w/just a fabric slipper on?!) My clothing attire for the reunion was based on what would look acceptable w/the oversized used shoes I bought to wear at the get together. (Not wanting to draw attention to my healing foot pain, and the reason why once I sat down, I pretty much stayed there to rest my foot.) Two full wks. after the break, I was still wearing oversized shoes in public and a "well washed" slipper outside for chores. However, the pain was decreasing daily and most of the bruising across my entire foot had dissipated. Then it happened one morning in the chicken house. I hit the edge of a misplaced brick w/my little toe. The searing pain sent me reeling and I doubled over in pain. This pain was actually 10 times worse than at any other time in the previous 2 wks. After catching my breath and my fervent praying ceased, I thought about how pain can often be worse later than at the time of injury. It reminded me that in the infertility/adoption process, heart pain is often worse later. As I hobbled back to the house after completing my chores, I knew I'd experienced a major setback in recovery. Again I thought about how we often deal w/varying degrees of pain based on daily experiences. We can think we're really getting better and we are, and then, there's something done or said that sends us emotionally reeling w/pain and we suffer a major setback. God understands that we may need time, a lot of time, to heal and recover. He patiently and willingly pours out His grace and mercy to help us and to heal us.
Just a few days later, Britta, our 100-lb. Rott, casually stood right on that toe. Ouch! I doubled over again in pain and knew another setback had just occurred. It'd been 3 wks. since the break and I was still wearing oversized shoes and a slipper outside. Shortly thereafter, I soon discovered that the enthusiastic 35-lb. knee of a wrestling child dropping on my toe, was just as painful as a 100-lb. canine foot. Another setback in healing recovery and restoration of health. Recovery and setback, healing restoration and setbacks.
I thank God that I've finally graduated into normal shoes for town, but still wear a "well worn, over-washed" slipper for chores. I instinctively protect my left foot no matter where I am or what I'm doing. I'll be guarded for quite some time to come.
Each of us can thank God for the healing deliverance we've received and continue to receive by His mercy and grace. Yet, many of us will remain guarded, protecting our hearts from situations that might send us reeling w/pain and cause a major setback in recovery.
"This I recall to my mind, therefore have I hope. It is of the Lord's mercies that we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not. They are new every morning; great is thy faithfulness. The Lord is my portion, saith my soul; therefore will I hope in him. The Lord is good unto them that wait for him, to the soul that seeketh him. It is good that a man should both hope and quietly wait for the salvation of the Lord."
Lamentations 3:21-26
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