HEAL or NOT TO HEAL, that is the question!

        This post is a different kind of bible study.  It is a communication through email with someone.  But I am sharing it with you simply as words of encouragement to those who might need it and hopefully will be blessed by it.
     

        Some years ago, a particular person and I began communicating through email, because of biblical questions he had.  Although I had never met him in person, even still, every now and then he would reach out to me, and we would discuss things of the bible.  

        I might add, based on our past discussions, I’m sure he’s a brother in the Lord—that is, he is saved.  He made that clear.  I will call him Bill, for anonymity’s sake.
     

        The following email response is to a recent question Bill had to which he wasn’t sure if there was an answer.  But hopefully, the response provided was encouraging in some way.  

         For full disclosure, the email dialogue was slightly modified for readability and context, and with the omission of anything too personal. 

THE EMAIL QUESTION:

Hi Michael,

I have a question and maybe there’s no answer to it but I am searching regardless. About a year ago I found out I have pinched nerves in my left arm.  It is very painful, and I am in unbelievable discomfort.

I prayed in regard to Philippians 4:6 and asked the Lord to heal me. But I know the apostle Paul asked the Lord 3 times to do something similar and the Lord said my grace is sufficient.

I have been going through a lot of therapy and treatment to help with this, but it is not helping enough to ease the pain. 

I must admit, a lot of bitterness has come in, even though I have tried to keep it from happening and have a positive attitude; after all I am saved but still am very, very human.

I am 66 years old and have a lovely wife and a wonderful life with her, but the physical pain is almost too much for me to bear.

I know the Lord is capable of taking the pain away, but I am now almost afraid as to why he doesn't.

This has messed with my thinking for sure and I am confused as to why I am still left with this physical suffering even after much prayer. What could possibly be accomplished?  Paradise (Heaven) sure sounds good right now as a relief.  Anyway, I thought I would email you about it to hear your thoughts. 

Grace to you,

Bill

 

THE EMAIL RESPONSE:

 

Hi Bill.

         Thank you for confiding in me and sharing your cares and concerns.  I feel for you, and I believe I understand your situation to some degree.

         I'm just going to ramble a little in response as things come to mind.  This won't be too concise and organized.  Please forgive me.

         If I may be candid, I too have some physical issues that are frustrating (likely not to your pain level though).  Also, my wife is going through about 3 medical issues that are life-changing, some of which are possibly life-threatening. 

         In addition, I lost my mom on Thanksgiving of 2022.  Cancer had taken her life.  She has had various forms of cancer since 1976 and through most of her life.  About the time one form would be eliminated, due to surgery and/or chemo, another would pop up. 

When I saw her just before she passed away, she was barely recognizable, physically.  Plus, the hospital had her drugged up for pain where she couldn’t communicate in the least.  It was really difficult for me emotionally.  I could hardly keep it together without breaking down and weeping.

         But my mom lived till 74 years old.  Maybe if she had passed away in 1976 when she first had cancer, she wouldn't have been saved—I don’t really know.  Nevertheless, I thank the Lord she lasted this all these years and she didn't die when I was a child—she had a pretty long life.  I have so many great memories of her and I thank God for His grace and mercy.

         As far as I know, my mom is saved and is with Christ.  But I still took it hard.  I think about her every day.  And I still weep occasionally—even today.  One of the last things she told me is, she will always remember 1 Corinthians 15:1-4 and keep it close to her heart.  This is very comforting to me.

        Even though it was hard and still is, God's Word has helped me through these tough times.  God's promises keep me strong.  God’s Word is the only good, stable, and unshakable thing in one’s life.  And in this life, we are just passing through (as you know).

         In these situations, I just spoke of concerning my mom and my wife, I too prayed for healing (but not so much for my own).

         I am sharing all of this with you to say: that I don't think it is wrong to tell your cares to the Lord.  I don't think it is even wrong to ask for healing, even if it is for yourself.  The Lord won’t chastise you for this.  As you said, “We are very human.”

         But what I do know is God isn't healing with miracles, signs, and wonders through the laying on of hands, raising the dead, and so on (Mark 16:17).  But rather, sometimes people get healed through medicine and other means, but I “think” it is possible that God could have a hand in it.  I don't know with 100% certainty.  But whether He does or not, if there is healing, I will give Him the glory!

We both know that in this dispensation of grace, these miracles have ceased such is spoken of in Mark 16.  In fact, the apostle Paul, at one time, had the power to immediately heal folks, raise the dead, cast out devils, and so on (Acts 14:8-10, Acts 16:16-18, Acts 20:7-12).  But again, these miracles have ceased, even though many people still hang on to these miracles as if they happen today.

         You mentioned Philippians 4:6 as your prayer.  This is good and there is nothing wrong with praying in this manner—with this mindset.

 

Philippians 4:6

“Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving LET YOUR REQUESTS BE MADE KNOWN unto God.”

         

        The apostle Paul, in Christ Jesus, is the perfect pattern for us in how we are to view our illnesses, ailments, diseases, and the like.  Scripture beseeches us multiple times to follow the Apostle Paul as an example in many different instances.  After all, he is the apostle of the Gentiles (Romans 11:13, Galatians 2:8, 1 Timothy 2:7, 2 Timothy 1:11).

         But with your prayer considering 4:6, keep in mind Philippians 4:7 through 9 too.  In verse 7 the apostle Paul talks about the peace of God which passes all understanding.  In verse 8 Paul talks about how we are to focus our thinking on things that are pure, lovely, good, honest, and virtuous.  In verse 9 we are to do as Paul does, as an example, or a pattern, and the peace of God shall be with us!

Philippians 4:7-9

“And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.

Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.

 Those things, which ye have both learned, and received, and heard, and seen in me, do: and the God of peace shall be with you.”

 

I know in Philippians 2:25-30 Paul talks about his companion in labor in the Lord, Epaphroditus.  He was extremely close to death due to being very sick because of sacrificing his own body for the work of the ministry.  But Paul said the Lord had mercy on him as well as Paul, thus sparing Epaphroditus from immediate death so that Paul wouldn't have sorrow upon sorrow.

         So, for some reason, in this dispensation of grace, scripture demonstrates, at least in one instance, that God spared a man temporarily from death.

         On the other hand, if the miraculous lying-on-of-hands type healings were still relevant today, then I have no doubt Paul would have certainly healed Epaphroditus before he was nigh unto death.

 

Philippians 2:25-30

“Yet I supposed it necessary to send to you Epaphroditus, my brother, and companion in labour, and fellowsoldier, but your messenger, and he that ministered to my wants.

For he longed after you all, and was full of heaviness, because that ye had heard that he had been sick.

For indeed he was sick nigh unto death: but God had mercy on him; and not on him only, but on me also, lest I should have sorrow upon sorrow.

I sent him therefore the more carefully, that, when ye see him again, ye may rejoice, and that I may be the less sorrowful.

Receive him therefore in the Lord with all gladness; and hold such in reputation:

Because for the work of Christ he was nigh unto death, not regarding his life, to supply your lack of service toward me.”

 

And to your point, Bill, God didn't heal Paul or take away from him the so-called thorn in his flesh.  As we both know, scripture points this out for us:

 

2 Corinthians 12:6-9

“For though I (Apostle Paul) would desire to glory, I shall not be a fool; for I will say the truth: but now I forbear, lest any man should think of me above that which he seeth me to be, or that he heareth of me.

And lest I should be exalted above measure through the abundance of the revelations (the Lord was giving Paul new revelations), there was given to me a thorn in the flesh, the messenger of Satan to buffet me, lest I should be exalted above measure.

For this thing I besought the Lord thrice, that it might depart from me.

And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.”

 

Also, Paul had quite a life of being a soldier for the Lord.  He suffered much persecution, was shipwrecked, beaten, and left for dead.  In fact, in Acts 9:16-17, the Lord said He would use Paul as His chosen vessel and show him how GREATLY HE SHOULD SUFFER for His namesake (in his body and probably mentally too).

         Furthermore, Paul talks about how Trophimus was left at Miletum SICK, in 2 Timothy 4:20.  In 1 Timothy 5:23 he tells Timothy to use a little wine for thy stomach's sake and HIS OFTEN INFIRMITIES. 

         Remember, the apostle Paul is saying these things through a God-breathed scriptural testimony—the apostle that used to miraculously heal folks and raise the dead!  But now he must simply deal with the common ailments of life and offer the only remedy for Timothy which is to use a little wine for his malady to produce some ease of comfort.

        Going back to Philippians, as you read this epistle, you'll note Paul was in prison.  He was all about the gospel of the grace of God and spreading it to others so that they may spread it to others (2 Timothy 2:2).  He was also betwixt two straights—one to be present with the Lord or remain as a help to the Philippians (Philippians 1:22-24).  He also spoke about our conversation—that is, our home as being in Heaven and the catching up into glory (Philippians 3:20-21).

         Paul tells us in 4:11 as an example, to be content with whatever state we are in.  Or at least that's what he was in his situation.  But, again, he is our pattern for living the Christian life in the dispensation of grace.

         I guess what I'm saying is, through all these scriptural examples, is only to encourage you to be strong my friend, though I'm empathetic to your situation.  You have something that most people do not have—that's the Word of God.

        Most importantly, may I encourage you to remember these things.  You are saved by the blood of Christ (Romans 5:8-9)!  You are a New Creature in Christ (2 Corinthians 5:17, Galatians 6:15).  You are part of His Body (Ephesians chapters 1, 3, 5).  You will have a new glorified body one day, better than this old dying one that we currently have (Philippians 3:20-21).  You have the Holy Spirit of God living inside you (Ephesians 1:13).  You are dead in Christ but also risen with Him in newness of life (Romans 6).  You are dead to sin (Romans 6:2; 6:11).  God sees you sitting in Heavenly places with His Son (Ephesians 2:6).  

        Let me also encourage you to continue to renew your mind with the Word of God (Romans 12:2; Ephesians 4:23).  Faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the Word of God (Romans 10:17)!

        Please allow me to leave you with these two passages:

 

2 Corinthians 4:7-18

But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellency of the power may be of God, and not of us.

We are troubled on every side, yet not distressed; we are perplexed, but not in despair;

Persecuted, but not forsaken; cast down, but not destroyed;

Always bearing about in the body the dying of the Lord Jesus, that the life also of Jesus might be made manifest in our body.

For we which live are always delivered unto death for Jesus' sake, that the life also of Jesus might be made manifest in our mortal flesh.

So then death worketh in us, but life in you.

We having the same spirit of faith, according as it is written, I believed, and therefore have I spoken; we also believe, and therefore speak;

Knowing that he which raised up the Lord Jesus shall raise up us also by Jesus, and shall present us with you.

For all things are for your sakes, that the abundant grace might through the thanksgiving of many redound to the glory of God.

For which cause we faint not; but though our outward man perish, yet the inward man is renewed day by day.

For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory;

While we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen: for the things which are seen are temporal; but the things which are not seen are eternal."

 

Romans 8:18

"For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared WITH the glory which shall be revealed in us."

 

        Whichever state we are in, Bill.  No matter how hard things get.  Try to overcome it with God's Word.  You want to be filled, so you can be spilled to others who need it.

        The gospel of the Grace of God, the Gospel of Your Salvation, is the main thing!  Keep sharing as you always do!

Have a very blessed day!

Brother Michael