"And we know that in all things God works to the good

of those who love him and who are called according to His purpose."

Romans 8:28

God's timing is interesting.  Just as I was beginning this study on the topic of healing, I attended the final session in a weekly Bible study that I have been attending for the past several months.  It is a study called, "To Live is Christ," written by the popular Bible teacher Beth Moore.  Delving into the life of the Apostle Paul, who wrote much of the New Testament, we have gained insight into many wonderful topics.  One that was discussed in great detail was suffering and trials in the life of the believer.  For those of you who are familiar with the Bible, you know that perhaps no one was persecuted more for his/her faith than the Apostle Paul.  Read 2 Corinthians 11:24-26 .

What a commentary!  Can you imagine such trials and suffering and difficulties in your life?  Although I have experienced my share of suffering, I could not begin to say that my faith has been tested to the point of Paul!

I'm sure you are familiar with the teaching that Christians do not have to put up with suffering in their lives-- that all such things are just an attack from Satan and that we just need to exercise our God-given authority through Jesus Christ and pray those circumstances out of our lives.  In other words, if we have enough faith and pray diligently enough, then suffering, pain, sickness, poverty, trials will be erradicated from our experience.

Although there are aspects of this teaching that are true and in line with Scripture, there are nuances and implications which simply do not line up when viewed through the wide lens of God's sovereign word.

I realize that I am embarking on territory which can lead to heated debates among believers.  It is not my intention to stir up quarrels or arguments.  It is also not my intention to offend or attack anyone for his/her beliefs.  I am seeking to weigh this issue in my own mind and heart, and through prayer and study have wrestled with this topic time and time again through the last 14 years.  My intention is to share what I have found to be true in the Word of God - which has been confirmed by many faithful and godly teachers, theologans and authors.  Above all, I encourage you to do a thorough study of the Bible as well and to seek out information on this topic, so that you may reach your own conclusions through the guidance of the Holy Spirit.

Please accept my statements as one whose only desire is to know and understand her Lord.  As said in Day 29 (Healing Part 1), I believe that God is omnipresent, omniscient and omnipotent.  Therefore, I believe as humans we can never fully understand Him!  If we could, why would we worship Him? Why would we want to worship and serve a God who can be explained or totally understood by a limited, finite, flawed human intellect?   I for one want the One who I trust for my salvation, the One in whom I place confidence of eternal security, the One whom I pray to for healing of all kinds, the One whom I trust to be my Provider to be so much bigger than what my little mind can conceive!  (Isaiah 55:9-11 ; 1 Corinthians 2:8-10 ; Isaiah 40:27-29 to name a few)

I was raised in a rather conservative church.  Emphasis was on an overall understanding of scripture as a whole, a Biblical world view, and practical daily life applications in living out our faith. We were encouraged to read the Bible for ourselves, memorize scripture and use God's Word as the immovable foundation for our lives.  Prayer was key, and we were taught that nothing was impossible for God.  Although the Holy Spirit was recognized, the gifts of the Spirit were not overly emphasized.  Several in my family of origin have been foreign missionaries, and I was well acquainted with stories of God's miraculous provision, healing, and guidance through countless situations.

Incredibly grateful for such a grounding in the Christian faith, I have studied and grown in the last several years in my understanding of the role of the Holy Spirit in a believer's life.  (That is a topic for a whole new discussion!)  However, let me state that I do believe many trials, situations of suffering, tragedies, illnesses and pain are the result of Satan's work.  The enemy cannot possess a child of God - one who has accepted Christ as Savior; however he can oppress us. (Ephesians 4:30 )  As we studied in Day 29 (Healing Part 1), sin entered the world through a human's will, and from that point on we have had to live with the consequences. (Genesis 3 )  Through Jesus' death and resurrection, sin was defeated and we were given victory as believers.  (Romans 5:11-13 ; 1 Corinthians 15 ; 1 John 5:3-5 )

Therefore, we can and should pray diligently again evil in the world!  God tells us to put on His armor and stand our ground against the enemy's schemes (Ephesians 6:10-20 )  It is true that "no weapon formed against me shall prosper." (Isaiah 54:16-17 ; 2 Corinthians 10:3-5 )

As believers in Christ Jesus, we are instructed to "pray without ceasing" and to "give thanks in all circumstances," (1 Thes. 5:17-19 ), to exercise our faith (Matthew 17:19-21 ).  We are encouraged to use those weasons of warfare to do battle with the forces of evil in this world.  (Ephesians 6:10-20 )   Yes, it is true that some of our suffering in this life is spiritual attack that can be thwarted through faithful prayer and/or laying on of hands, anointing, and praise and worship.  (James 5:14-16 ; Acts 16:22-26 )  The Bible clearly teaches that we have the authority to pray in the name of Jesus, and we can have faith that the Lord will answer our prayers.  (John 14:12-14 ; 15:15-17; 16:22-27; Matthew 18:19 )

The Lord has been stretching me for years in how to pray believing that He will act!  It is an incredible journey, this journey of faith!  I certainly do not have all the answers, but I have seen Him do miracles.  I have seen Him heal.  I have also seen godly, faithful saints and praying servants of Christ die with cancer.  I have heard God say, "No." at times to my earnest prayers.

Friends, what do we do at those times?  What happens to our faith in those moments?  Is it shattered?  Or can we be drawn even closer to Almighty God and gain an even deeper understanding of the mystery of our faith in a sovereign God?  Can we say with Job, "Though he slay me, yet will I trust Him."  (Job 13:14 )  Like none other recorded in scripture, Job wrestled with this issue of suffering.  Careful study of this book provides amazing insight.  (Be sure not to miss God's response to all of Job's questioning in chapters 38-40.)

A while back I wrote a song entitled, "When God Says No."  It was a response to a time when I had prayed earnestly for several painful circumstances around me.  I had believed that God had good plans and that He would answer these situations in positive ways.  My definition of postive and the Lord's definition of positive were once again vastly different!  The lyrics of the song are as follows:

"When God says no, can I still praise His name and thank Him for the wonders that He's done?  When God says no, can I still raise my hands, knowing that I stand before the throne?  Grace, so amazing, I cannot understand.  But I will trust His heart when I cannot trace His hand.   Paul asked three times for his thorn to be removed.  Me, I know I've asked you a million times or more for an open door.  When God says no, can I still praise His name and thank Him for the wonder that He is?  When God says no, can I still raise my hands knowing that I stand before the throne? Grace, so amazing, I do not understand.  But I will trust His heart when I cannot see His hand, or trace His plan."

Friends, my point is this: If the Apostle Paul, arguably the greatest man of faith who ever walked this earth apart from Jesus Christ, didn't receive deliverance from every trial, didn't receive deliverance from being beheaded by the sword, then could it be that our definition of healing and deliverance needs to be stretched?  Could it be that we must recognize that a sovereign God has plans that are beyond our understanding?

At times we will see miracles.  I believe with every fiber of my being that God is able to do the impossible, and I pray for more opportunities to see it with human eyes.  But I know that I know that I know a greater joy, a greater security... that one day I will see His face.

We must rest in Who He is, the Great I AM.

I intend to continue my own study of what the Bible has to say about this topic.  I hope you will join me.