Let's Start Off With a Miracle...

A number of years ago I was playing 'picnic' on the floor with my children, putting all my weight on my right elbow as we feasted on plastic food and chased away imaginary ants. When I got up I realized that I had pulled the ligaments in my shoulder so severely that I couldn't lift my arm above mid-chest level without excruciating pain. My right arm felt floppy, like it was no longer attached securely to my shoulder. Instantly I knew that it would require surgery to fix it, but because I had been learning to seek God in all matters physical, I inquired of the Lord what to do in order to be healed, and felt that He was promising to heal it without the aid of the medical profession. But weeks later it was still so painful that I was unable to lift my arm. Anti-inflammatory pain medication did not help at all.

I continued to pray for healing and nothing seemed to be happening. Weeks followed into months and I continued to pray. I still sensed that God was going to heal my arm, but in the natural nothing seemed to be happening. Anger started to creep in at about six months as it made no sense to my rational mind why I was still in the same amount of pain. I struggled with doubt but continued to seek God. Finally at seven months I decided to 'confront' God with the lack of any tangible sign of healing. I got up at 5:30 am and locked myself in the bathroom for privacy from my family. There I cried out to God. "You said You would heal me, but I am no better off than the day I injured my arm. I need to do something about this. I need to know whether you are really going to heal me or not!" I am embarrassed to say that I was somewhat less than polite with God, out of frustration, but He was gracious to me. The Spirit of the Lord very firmly spoke to my spirit, "You ARE healed. Now start thanking Me for it." The firmness was convicting, not condemning. I was assured, although my human reasoning still could not quite grasp the concept of thanking God before receiving the healing.

For the next two weeks I obediently thanked God for the healing that seemed as distant as it was the first day I prayed. Then on a Saturday evening as I laid my head on my pillow, the Spirit of God again spoke to my spirit. "Tomorrow your arm will be healed." I awoke the next day and my arm was totally healed. I could raise it over my head, swing it around in circles and lift objects - all things which had been absolutely impossible the evening before. During our church service that morning a woman gave her testimony of being healed from a skiing accident that left her paralyzed from the neck down. This was the first time I had ever heard a testimony like that in our church. God's timing for my healing was amazing.

Mark 11:24 says, "For this reason I am telling you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe (trust and be confident) that it is granted to you, and you will (get it)."

God has many ways of healing our bodies - through the laying on of hands, being anointed with oil, through the prayers of friends. Sometimes He heals instantly, miraculously. But many healings are progressive, over time.

Be encouraged if you need healing. Keep seeking God. Read and meditate on the scriptures that talk about healing and believe that you will receive your healing. Here are some starters:

Jeremiah 30:17 I will restore health to you, and heal you of your wounds.

I Peter 2:24 He (Jesus Christ) personally bore our sins in His own body on the tree, that we might die to sin and live to righteousness. By His wounds you have been healed.

There are many others, so dig into your Bible.

Oh, and I am totally for seeing physicians. So please do not misinterpret this testimony as being against medical treatment. I was absolutely willing to do that, but God made it clear that He would be the Physician in this particular instance. If He had not been clear, I would have made an appointment for medical treatment right away.