When Healing Doesn't Happen {or Is Slower Than You Like}

How many times have I looked at my daughter and wondered why God hasn’t offered His healing to her?

He has the power. I know that. He could heal her through waters like the pool of Bethesda (John 5:1-14).

He could heal her by speaking the words like He did for the centurion’s servant (Matthew 8:5-13).

He could heal her by smearing her with mud (John 9:1-12) or touching her with His nail-scarred hands (Mark 5:37-42), or by simply delivering the healing through the gifts of others.

But for reasons only He knows, God hasn’t chosen to do any of those. He hasn’t healed her—at least in the way I think of healing.

And so the Rachel I know and love ministers on. In her innocent joy, she brings smiles, wrestles brothers, exasperates and inspires her mama, and melts her daddy’s heart.

And although there will continue to be moments of frustration, pain, and wondering (especially when I look deep into those sparkling brown eyes), I’m beginning to get it … just a tiny bit:

Why Doesn’t Healing Come?

Maybe God doesn’t provide the healing because He knows a thorn in our side is better than an eternity in hell.

Maybe God doesn't provide a healing because He knows a thorn in our side is better than an eternity in hell. Click To Tweet

Perhaps God hasn’t healed Rachel because He cares more about our spiritual—soul—condition than our temporary physical bodies.

Perhaps He’s using Rach in all her beauty, innocence, strength, and dependence to shape, mold, and guide me and others to a more intimate relationship with Him.

Perhaps it’s because He loves us so deeply that He can’t stand to watch us live self-absorbed lives, pursuing an illusive joy in the trappings of this fallen world.

Perhaps God allows the pain and suffering we experience in this world because He loves us too much not to.

Perhaps God allows the pain and suffering we experience in this world because He loves us too much not to. Click To Tweet

God’s Love

As Christians, we know God loves us. He couldn’t make it any clearer: “But God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us” (Romans 5:8). And “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life” (John 3:16).

And as a loving Father, He gives us good gifts. The evidence is there:

“Which of you, if your son asks for bread, will give him a stone? Or if he asks for a fish, will give him a snake? … how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask him!” (Matthew 7:9-11).

“This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins” (1 John 4:10).

And promises to never leave us in our suffering. In fact, He lovingly collects each of your tears in a bottle, offering hope of something infinitely better to come (Psalm 56:8).

Dear One, I don’t know the pain you are experiencing. I don’t pretend to understand the anguish you feel. You may have a debilitating disease, been used and discarded by one you’ve trusted, watched a loved one die, or are struggling in a million other ways.

But within your suffering, consider … just consider, perhaps God allows our pain because He wants to perform a deeper healing … in the hearts of you and me.

Perhaps God allows our pain because He wants to perform a deeper healing ... in the hearts of you and me. Click To Tweet

In the long-term picture of eternity, that makes it all worthwhile, don’t you think?

“And after you have suffered a little while, the God of all grace, who has called you to his eternal glory in Christ, will himself restore, confirm, strengthen, and establish you” (1 Peter 5:10).

Reflections: How does knowing God has a plan for your suffering make it easier to live with? Or doesn’t it? How can I pray for you?

Linking up again this year with Ann Voskamp‘s 2014 Joy Dare. Find the linkup at A Holy Experience. Beginning where I left off in 2013. What a blessing! #2460–2480, read the entire list by clicking here.

Mindless chores like dishes for added time to think, dream, and pray; Danny safely back to college; Grandparents
Moaning of the trees in the wind–eerie and peaceful at the same time; Zach’s first college acceptance; Hubby bearing gifts
Spending the first moments of the day in God’s Word soaking up His truth; Rachel’s bearhugs; Moon bright thru snowflakes
Rach getting in trouble for throwing a peach at school–sorry, but you have to know my girl to laugh; Walk with hubby in the face of a brisk wind; Rach’s giggles as she gave me a Draw 2 in UNO
Fun Web apps that are also useful; Small steps of progress going into Sat.; Sunlight streaming in
Digging snow tunnels and forts; Andes Double chocolate peppermint crunch cookies–a unique delicious treat; These winter-fluffed little guys
Fast-paced action of indoor soccer, especially watching Zach play; Haunting call of an owl in the late afternoon; Full moon shrouded in the clouds on the drive home

and

By His grace ≈

Julie

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Carol Van Der Woude says:

January 23, 2014 at 6:51 pm

I agree with you. God walks with us through illness and disability. I learned so much about God during the years that my son was battling leukemia. Although I would have wanted to change my son’s diagnosis and short time with us, I would not have wanted to give up my experience with God’s faithfulness. God demonstrated his love for us–and especially our son.

Julie Sunne says:

January 23, 2014 at 9:29 pm

Oh, dear Carol, I’m so sorry for the loss of your son! You express wisdom gleaned from deep pain yet soaring hope. Thank you for sharing a bit of your heart.

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Sita says:

January 23, 2014 at 8:16 pm

Knowing that He has consented to what is happening in my life allows me to lean into Him. I used to resist and struggle against , now I submit and surrender. It is all for Him. Good word. Thank you.