Why God Doesn’t Always Heal

A dear sister (schoolmate) needed encouragement while recovering from knee replacement surgery. She called me her pastor. 

My response: 

“Whenever I’m called ‘Pastor,’ I feel so unworthy but want to do my best to live up to such a high reputation (or office). (It requires) being holy, loving, comforting, encouraging, motivating, etc. Nowadays, the responsibility is much weightier than even five years ago. The challenges can be (very) overwhelming, but I keep the rewards for faithfulness in my focus (as much as possible). 

Now, my parishioner 😊, scripture says the Lord is the One ‘Who heals all your diseases’ (Psalm 103:3b). He does unless He purposes to not heal, as was the case with the Apostle Paul: “I implored the Lord three times that it (sickness) might leave me. And He has said to me, ‘My grace is sufficient for you, for power is perfected in weakness.’ Most gladly, therefore, I will rather boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may dwell in me. Therefore I am well content with weaknesses (sicknesses), with insults, with distresses, with persecutions, with difficulties, for Christ’s sake; for when I am weak, then I am strong’” (2 Cor. 12:8-19). 

It sounds ironic. Letting us remain sick while simultaneously giving us strength to bear it. 

That’s nonsense! But, we’re the ones who lack enough sense to understand God’s mysterious ways. So, He has a purpose to instantly heal, slowly heal, or not heal at all, while all the time strengthening us to bear with it. So, what’s comforting about this? Trusting Him. Leave it all to Him (Phil. 4:6-8). Keep your mind on Him, because ‘The steadfast of (your) mind You (the Lord) will keep in perfect peace, Because he (you) trusts in You’

(the Lord [Isa. 26:3]). May the Lord draw you closer to Him and your faith grow stronger as you go THROUGH your recovery.

Blessings!