Why aren’t all believers healed? Is it because of our sin or our lack of faith/prayer or because God works through suffering?
I’m almost embarrassed by all these Ask The Pastor questions. After all, I’m supposed to look like I know what I’m talking about, and yet I seem to begin each response with the same statement: we really don’t know.
It’s especially true when it comes to healing. Why are some people healed and others not? Why is an 80 year old person healed from a terrible disease and a child not? Why?
I don’t know.
I don’t believe the Bible gives us a clear reason why. And yet, we are clearly told to pray for those who are sick and to believe for their healing.
After my daughter, K.D., had her surgery, it became clear that she wasn’t recovering as hoped. During her final week on earth, we prayed continually for her healing. We had churches around the world praying for her to be healed. And yet, she died. I have no idea why she wasn’t healed. And yet, I choose to trust God with the reasons.
There are some who feel they have to have a reason. And so, they toss out statements like “There’s sin in your life” or “You didn’t have enough faith.” Yes, the Bible certainly does suggest that in some cases, there are reasons such as these for why someone isn’t healed. But even when you account for those reasons, the fact is, sometimes the best answer we can come up with is, “I don’t know why my daughter wasn’t healed.”
Here’s what I do know. “God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them.” (Romans 8:28) In the midst of trials, sickness, and pain, I can trust God. When healing doesn’t happen, I can trust God. When healing does happen, I can trust God. When the answers are unclear and I am lost as to why things are happening as they are, I can trust God.
After my daughter passed away, I had someone ask me if I stilled prayed for people to be healed. The question completely caught me off guard. It never crossed my mind to stop praying for healing. I believe God heals. And yet, I know that not everyone is healed. I can’t control the end result, all I can do is what I am called to do: believe God for healing. And so, I do. I pray with those who are sick and believe God for healing. Whether they are healed or not isn’t up to me.
If you are sick, trust God with your healing. Have faith that he is able to do what is needed in your life. Maybe doctors have told you there is no hope. There is hope. As long as you can still take a breath, there is hope. So, pray for healing and trust God with the results. No matter what those results are, he can use the situations in our life to cause good to happen, if we simply trust him.
I choose to trust him.
