Help not Heal - Disciples Path Ministry

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Help not Healing Please
One sunny but cold winter morning in Northeast Florida, I found myself staring at the beautiful oak trees outside my office window. My mind drifted to a particular oak tree called “The Old Senator” which is located just a couple blocks away. This particular Oak was alive during the War Between the States. Confederate as well as Union soldiers saw this tree while stationed in the oldest permanent settlement in what is now the United States, Saint Augustine, Florida. Then my focus shifted to the lives and deaths of the soldiers, yet the Oak was still here watching people come and then go.

The Apostle James, a bondservant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ shared, “…For what is your life? It is even a vapor that appears for a little time and then vanishes away” (James 4:14, NKJV). The Oak tree planted and nourished by God lived and flourished next to the soldiers who would have been enduring, no doubt, many forms of personal suffering. The Oak, relying on God, still remains but the soldiers, relying on themselves, died. I wondered how many of the soldiers found peace and joy in their suffering because they knew to delight in the Lord? God’s Word has been around a very long time and those of us who read and study His Word know He does not want anyone or anything to suffer. So why do I suffer from such excruciating chronic pain day after day, year after year, and decade after decade?  Here is what God spoke to me and I want to share with you. His message put in my words of understanding was — the prayer of faith will save the sick.

There is a great difference between hearing and receiving God’s Word. For decades I heard - the prayer of faith will save the sick. However, when I finally, by the grace of God, received the message I became aware of confusing — will save the sick with will heal the sick! God, in His tremendous love for me, has decided to not heal me in order to save me. Even though being disabled allows me nothing but time to submerge myself in God’s Word I failed to receive the Apostle James’ message — “…For what is your life? It is even a vapor that appears for a little time and then vanishes away.” God, knowing the brevity of human life and knowing me knew I needed help in truly drawing close enough to Him to have a chance of being saved. It is positively not His Will to see me suffer but in His infinite wisdom, He knew it was the best way to get and keep my attention on Him at the deepest level. I suppose it was taking too long to truly rely on Him for everything in my life, so with eternity at stake, the Holy Spirit pushed me and keeps pushing me closer and closer to my Creator.

Now I know God is working through me, through my pain and disabilities in order to save my soul. He wants me to, like “The Old Senator” oak tree; rely on Him and not my own understanding. He has prepared a home for me in His Kingdom but needed to remind me of His narrow gate at the entrance. His Kingdom is a Holy place that only allows Holy inhabitants. It is my honor to pick up my cross every morning knowing I will be resting on Jesus’ chest at the end of my day.

If you are reading this article, it is most likely because you are suffering as well. The Apostle Paul in his letter to the Galatians shared, 2 “Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ” (Gal. 6:2, NKJV). I pray what I share in not only this article but also everything shared on this website helps you in some way.

Finally, please allow me to share a few closing thoughts.

God does not want anyone to suffer but He loves you enough to do whatever it takes to get your attention in order to ensure your eternity with Him.
God does not want anyone to suffer but our disabilities are not His primary focus. His primary focus is and always has been — the gospel.
Learn from my mistake. Pray for His help and not His healing!
Do you say you believe in God? Then trust and remember always that He loves you and is in complete control.
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