My mother survived a stroke, but injury to her brain caused dementia and paralysis. I prayed for her to walk again. However, physical therapy did not restore her ability to stand or walk. Why did God save my mother from death to be imprisoned in a wheelchair? Pain and discouragement overwhelmed me when my prayers remained unanswered.
Sometimes God’s blessings come in other ways besides physical healing.
Others benefit when God doesn’t heal everyone
Joni Eareckson Tada became a quadriplegic at age 17 after a diving accident. In her autobiography, she wrote about fully believing God would heal her. 1 Yet she is still in a wheelchair at age 72.
Through her books, speaking engagements, radio show, and the worldwide ministries of Joni and Friends, Joni shares the Gospel, facilitates churches to embrace people with disabilities, and trains people with disabilities to exercise their gifts of leadership and service. Millions of people would not know Jesus, be inspired by her story, or served by her ministry, if she did not go swimming in the Chesapeake Bay that fateful day.
You benefit when God doesn’t heal everyone
The Apostle Paul experienced some sort of disability or malady as a constant reminder of weakness. He wrote, “Therefore, in order to keep me from becoming conceited, I was given a thorn in my flesh, a messenger of Satan, to torment me. Three times I pleaded with the Lord to take it away from me” (2 Corinthians 12:7,8 NIV). However, Paul’s suffering strengthened him because, in his weakness, he had no choice but to humble himself and depend on God.
In the same way, God teaches us through our suffering, including physical and spiritual sickness. We draw closer to Him and receive strength and comfort in our weakness. When we surrender our lives to Him, He molds us into a reflection of Jesus.
God heals us in heaven
Jesus offers spiritual healing of our souls because His sacrifice on the cross paid our debt of sin to reconcile us with God. Jesus died instead of us, so we have eternal life in heaven.
Sometimes physical healing on earth is not in God’s perfect plan, but He heals us in heaven. Jesus abolishes death in the new heaven and new earth. He will heal all diseases and end all suffering. Scripture states, “He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away” (Revelation 21:4 ESV).
Final thoughts
Friend, I know how it feels to pray for healing when it seems utterly impossible. My prayers for my mom changed as her condition declined. I prayed for God to take my mom to heaven in His timing. God healed her because she is in heaven with Him now.
God heals, but we must trust He has another plan for us. We experience suffering, illness and disease as part of His plan for ourselves and others.
Was there a time you prayed for healing for yourself or others and God didn’t answer as expected? How did you handle this? Please post a comment and let us know.
References
- Tada, Joni Eareckson, and Joe Musser. Joni: The Unforgettable Story of a Young Woman’s Struggle against Quadriplegia and Depression. Zondervan Pub. House, 1976.
Thanks for reminding me how God has a plan for my life and the lives of the people around me. God is good!
Thank you for your comment, Mary Anne. I am glad you liked the post.
I like the scripture Job 1:21. Naked I came into this world and naked will I depart. The Lord gave and the Lord has taken away. May the name of the Lord be praised.
It is foolish to expect only good things from life. That’s not why we are here. We need to accept all parts of our life as God’s plan. Which includes pain and suffering.
Tom, thank you for your comment and for reminding us of the story of Job.