Suffering and Healing

 

I have been thinking about this post since Joni posted it.  Suffering.  Healing.   I have changed my beliefs over the years.  Those who have known me awhile know I have read a lot of John Piper on suffering.  And to be honest those were encouraging to me!!!!  I mean,  if I can suffer for the Lord- that's kinda cool.  However, where is the hope in that?  I mean there is hope for the long term and heaven and the magnificence that encompasses.  And that is not to be minimized.  But Jesus died for more than that.  


After reading the Word more, and reading more words by different authors such as Art Thomas and Bill Johnson I have come to a different conclusion.  1) Jesus died for our healing.. not "just" our salvation.  2) Christians are to carry out the command to "heal the sick". We play an intricate role.  3) When it doesn't happen (and we should expect that it will), it is not Jesus' or God's fault. Because when Jesus walked this earth he healed all that came to him.  We are becoming more like Him.  (That's the plan anyway.). 4) Mystery... I think there is still a component of mystery that we can't understand here.  But we should still EXPECT it and still walk forward in praying for the sick if only because God commands us to.  Plus he loves us like crazy.  He wants it for us.  And cries when we suffer. 

But one more point.. I was on a walk this morning and was listening to worship music. A thought came to me in a deeper way than ever before. I have KNOWN this academically but not really in a "heart" way.  The main thing must be Jesus.  Our focus is to be on him.  God's been working on me in this regard.  The funny thing is I realized later that the physical location where this thought came upon me  this morning, was just a few houses away from where I was many years ago on a walk ...and told Jesus yes.  I will follow you.  

I welcome your thoughts.. questions.... comments or PM.  Or prayer requests. 


Comments

  1. Andrew SturtJune 24, 2021 at 12:22 PM

    I'm with you on this Amy. As a side note, you mentioned our long-term hope. With Maria's passing, I've been reading a couple of books on heaven. Both are excellent, so I'm mentioning them in a comment here for anyone who comes across your post and is interested in finding out more about heaven:
    - Imagine Heaven, by John Burke
    - Heaven, by Randy Alcorn

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Amy LouOctober 13, 2021 at 8:08 AM

      I am wondering did I ever see your comment? I barely look at this blog LOL! I am going to look those books up. .. Amy

      Delete

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