What comes first, spiritual or physical healing?
Over the years, I have seen a pattern when people get sick, hurt, or have any challenge. At first, they are in chaos in which they are searching in a frantic state for a remedy to their suffering anywhere they can find it. They want answers and the problem to be “fixed”. These answers and treatments may take longer which gives them the chance to digest what is occurring and they find something in the physical world that they trust. Then, as time goes on and they are still struggling they may lose hope and turn to God for guidance and healing.
This was very true in the times of Jesus as well. Jesus brought people to God through his healings. I wish it was just his teachings, but it wasn’t until people saw Jesus and the Disciples performing miracles that they believed. Over and over in the Bible, I have read, “Because you have seen me, you have believed. Blessed are those who have not seen, and have believed.” John 20:23.
As I read this, to me it would appear that spiritual healing would heal you physically, but what if the healing was our increased faith in God? What if God’s plan for whatever struggle is happening was to bring you closer to him, not necessarily resolve your struggle?
The healing that we are seeking doesn’t always come in the form that we are looking for. I came across a wonderful blog post titled, “Why doesn’t God heal everyone?” that I highly recommend you read. Here is the link: https://www.gotquestions.org/God-heal-everyone.html
When pain, suffering, and illness enter your life, turn to God first. Do not ask to be healed, but ask for his plan, his will, his desire for you.
Mark 5:34 AMP: “Then He said to her, “Daughter, your faith [your personal trust and confidence in Me] has restored you to health; go in peace and be [permanently] healed from your suffering.”
Voyage to HEAL Weekly Task
Stretch: This week is a bit of a challenging stretch, but a really great one that you can do seated or standing. Place your hands in prayer position at your heart with elbows out to the side. Now rotate your trunk so that your right elbow is up to the ceiling and your left elbow is pointing toward the floor. Soften and breathe into this rotational stretch. If you are seated, you can rest your elbow on your knee and use this for support and to enhance the stretch.
Exercise: Using the stretch above, separate your feet into a lunge position. Turn your back foot perpendicular to your front foot and lunge forward. Now, repeat the stretch above in standing and hold it for 5 or more breathes in and out.
Habitual Change: Finding the right pillow is like finding a needle in a haystack and there is no one pillow I recommend over another except the one that fits your needs. Side sleepers tend to need a fluffy and firm pillow; whereas back sleepers need a thin pillow. I will share that I strained my neck recently and a flat, firm pillow resolved my neck pack; whereas the thick pillow only made it worse. For more suggestions on sleeping positions, check out my 4 video series on Ergonomics for Posture and Pain Management.
Perspective enlightenment: God, I give myself to your will whatever that may be. May I be a beacon of your light and love in this world however I may feel or through whatever I may be struggling within my life which is yours.
Journaling option: What is your pattern of faith in God versus the outside world? What you do rely on more?
This week’s blog post coincides with week 9: God’s Plan. You can purchase this week in the store on the webpage. You can also purchase the Inner Peace Meditation CD or start your full online Voyage to HEAL. Click here to visit the store.
Godspeed on your Voyage to HEAL
Love,
Jocelyn