Fellow Christians?

Question

I'm stuggling with the whole idea of expecting God to heal the sick. I know that he can, but will he? Doesn't he use sickness and pain for good in some cases? Paul prayed and was never healed...I've been praying and reading on this matter but I can't come to any conclusion. Please give me your insights!

Answer 1

Does God allow pain in order to display His power? In a sense, yes. but throughout the Bible we see the heart and mind of God contrasted with the works of satan.

satan kills, steals and destroys; Jesus by contrast, gives abundant life (John 10:10). While satan's aim is destruction, Jesus came to tear down satan's work (1 John 3"8) . Because God permits satan room to work, we have to say that pain and suffering occur because God permits it.

But the other side of the story is that God can use satan's evil to accomplish good. Some of the bad things that happen are because we live in a fallen world. Negative circumstances occur because creation itself was damaged when sin entered the world, opening up the door for illness and natural disaster (Romans 8:19-22). in this case neither the man nor his parents had done anything to deserve his blind birth. Their suffering came as a result of living in a ruined creation. Nevertheless God intended to use their terrible experience to accomplish a greater good.

God receives glory when he miraculously intervenes with His healing power. But He also receives glory when people endure their suffering through the power of His grace. See the book of Job and 2 Cor. 12:7-10. In either case God is glorified as the giver of life in an otherwise futile and destructive world.

As a personal example, my oldest brother had been crippled from polio at the age of nine until he passed away 5 months ago. My mother prayed constantly for him to be healed but it was not to be. My brother was one of God's biggests fans so to speak, he praised Him for what he could do instead of what he couldn't.

It was their unshakable belief in God that led me, my dad and brothers to the Lord and I have a personal conviction to do the same. So my point is that so much good has come of such a tragedy and God knew the outcome would bring more souls to glorify His name, to create a greater good.

Answer 2

I can understand your confusion on this matter. Why does God permit things to happen to people who are good and kind then when we pray for healing He does not do it. We can pay for healing if it be God's will, but also knowing that He is doing a work in that person's life. Only God knows whether it is a test or punishment or some faith building trial. Or if He is wanting to do a miracle due to our prayers. The only thing to say is we must do our part in praying for the sick like it says in the Bible. Allow God to decide whether to heal or take home. Once we have done what God wants of us then we can have peace about it, because He will work it out to His glory.

Answer 3

Expect God to do His will. Whether that's healing the person or allowing the ailment to remain, that's His call. Paul is the perfect example. However, remember. He did pray for healing. And other Scripture indicates that we should pray on the behalf of others, too.

The danger is in expecting the answer "yes" to every prayer for healing. That's presumptious on our parts. I worked for a quadroplegic guy who lost his belief in Jesus because his parents always said he wasn't healed because he didn't have enough faith. That guy was in severe pain. Still is today. I had to attend Jewish conversion classes with him because he wanted to renounce Jesus as God. That's powerful!

So we must be careful not to expect what God will answer. He's the Great Phyisician, but the thing is, when Jesus was on earth doing miracles, even then He didn't heal EVERY person with an ailment. His goal was never physical wholeness. His goal has always been spiritual wholeness. The healing was for a sign to give credence to His message and authority.

Answer 4

Remember that God is not limited by time. A year to you may be like a second to God. Maybe a person would have to wait 10 years for something...that might be like 10 seconds to God. If you ask God to give you 10 million dollars, could He? Yes. Will He?...you tell me. Ask God what He wants you to do or not do in your situation. Ask Him. Then look for His answer. Where should you look for His answer? Look around you, think, read the Bible, talk to a minister, but ask and seek the answer. There is an old saying that "the strongest steel goes through the hottest fire." Get the idea? The metal endured greater heat but became stronger because of it. How do plants produce more and produce better? They are pruned, cut back, made to grow/work harder. A Olympic runner will run harder, longer everyday preparing for the race. His/her muscles groan and become sore, but does the runner become stronger, able to run faster and farther? Yes. It is often the same way with Christians. Think of Gods own Son, Jesus. He didn't have things "on easy street" either-But, He overcame and so can you.

Answer 5

I want you to read the whole 11th chapter of Hebrews it may show you what faith completely is. The first part of the chapter talks about the faith people had and received healing and deliverence. The last half of the chapter points out the many people that suffered and received no healing or deliverence but no matter how much a person suffers here on earth there will absolutely be no kind of pain or suffering in heaven

Answer 6

You are quite right. When Jesus was on earth he healed every sick person brought to him, because He had to demonstrate who He was. After Pentecost, for some time, sick people were healed just by being in the shadow of the apostles. This had nothing to do with their faith.
However, As you read on in the Book of Acts you can see it was a temporary phenomenon, used to draw attention to the new message. (In the Old Testament there were many extraordinary miracles as the law was introduced - they didn't cease, but became less frequent. Then when the era of prophets was introduced, there were a large number of extraordinary miracles again, and they diminished.)
Paul mentions his companions being sick, with no miraculous healing. Paul himself had a "thorn in the flesh" which the Lord chose not to heal.
God heals according to his purpose. He can, but doesn't always do it.

Answer 7

We as humans look at healing as a person getting well and continuing to live. I am a hospice nurse and I can assure that sometimes physical healing is no what the person needs. God heals everyone in a different way sometimes death is healing in that you leave this life and go to the next life in heaven. You should continue to pray and believe that God heals and answers prayer but we are all destined to die at some point and believe me death is a form of healing.

Answer 8

you are correct. sometimes, in God's will, it's better off if people aren't healed. but this doesn't mean He's merciless. if there's a 100 year old person who's weak, who's memory fails them and who is depressed all the time, likely if they come down with an illness God will let nature take its course. that person is better off in Heaven (once saved) anyway and lessons can be learned from that person.

so I prefer to pray that His will be done. By all means, pray until something happens, but still, know that God has a reason if it happens and that His will is sovereign.

Answer 9

Ever heard of Kathryn Kuhlman? William Branham? Smith Wigglesworth? John G. Lake? Charles Price? Maria Woodworth-Etter? T.L. Osborn? Kenneth Hagin?
These are just a few names of saints of the last 150 years who had extraordinary signs and wonders occur during the course of their ministry.
If you are a sincere seeker, I recommend you get the writings of some of the above. I personally know of many friends who can testify to receiving divine healing. I think it has become less common in recent years in Western culture because of such a concerted effort by Satan to discredit it. it is far more common today in third world countries where the people are still too "naive" to believe it is impossible.
I leave you with one Scripture:
"Jesus Christ; the same yesterday, today and forever."
(Hebrews 13:8)
Some have believed, and found it to be so!

Answer 10

There is a purpose and a plan for each of us. We need to have faith that God will take care of us regardless of where our path in life leads. For some, he will heal. For others, he will not.

God has given us the intellect to advance technology and help ourselves, meaning fellow human beings, when it comes to illness. I certainly believe that he will intervene when it fits his plan but ultimately we have to accept the path he has chosen for us.

We all have a say, to a certain extent, what happens to us in this life but if God has chosen to call us home then there is nothing we can do about it.

As a believer of Christ you need to have faith that God will do what is right and just. He will never abandon us in our time of need and he will always give us the strength to handle each day as it comes.

We each have the responsibility to do what we can, within our circumstances, to help ourselves and leave the rest up to God. Do what you can and then trust in him. Place it in his hands and try your best to be at peace with his decision and know that it does serve a purpose.