Heal me, O Lord, and I shall be healed; save me, and I shall be saved, for you are my praise. Jeremiah 17:14
Several years ago, I was in a season of difficult health struggles; to the point my doctor recommended a medical leave of absence from my job. It felt weird. As if I was playing hooky. At the same time, I didn’t have the strength to sustain work. I was so grateful for time to heal.
“Heal me, O Lord, and I will be healed. . .” (emphasis mine)
Apart from one of my internal systems barely functioning, I had a longstanding muscle and joint condition which dated many years prior, contributing to heightened pain and inflammation. Many physical therapy sessions were the prescription with no guarantee they would be effective.
I wanted a quick fix and boy did I pray for it. I’ve experienced a spontaneous touch of the Lord in the physical area. However, this healing was a process. God touched more than my body.
“. . .save me and I shall be saved,”
He delivered me from feelings of worthlessness because I couldn’t contribute much to life; He delivered me from guilt of wondering what could have been done differently; He delivered me from bitterness toward situations and people who made my struggle harder; He delivered me from a prideful self-sufficiency by giving me grace to allow others to help; He delivered me from financial concerns by providing; He delivered me from unwise food choices by giving me strength to say “no.”
“. . . .for you are my praise.”
As I think back, one particular occasion stands out when Jesus was definitely “my praise” during this time. I decided to gather a dozen or so friends to join “pray the symptom away” day. The symptom is part of the muscle and joint condition which had been in existence for quite a while. I emailed my friends, asking for them to offer their prayers and faith for something which seemed unable to be treated.
Toward the end of “pray the symptom away” day, I received a phone call from my uncle. He heard about my struggles and called to check on me. After the conversation, God used him to open a door at Mayo Clinic. As a follow up to a doctor’s order while at the clinic, I was directed to undergo injections for pain relief.
The scheduler told me I was very “lucky” to have an appointment time for the next day as it usually takes a couple of months! I knew it was the hand of God. I did receive some results and helpful wisdom. The symptom remains to a certain degree to this day. I am still praying.
My health struggles operated as a vehicle for me to experience God’s tender care and mercy. I saw evidence of His presence with me. I am grateful He is the God who heals, saves, and gives me reasons to praise. I’d love to pray for you or a loved one facing health struggles. Sister, leave a comment or prayer request below. ~Laura
