Matthew 9:22 But Jesus turning and seeing her said, “Take courage, daughter; your [personal trust and confident] faith [in Me] has made you well.” And at once the woman was [completely] healed (AMP). In our last blog, we discussed a woman facing a complicated health situation. For 12 long years, she suffered from a bleeding disorder that made her an outcast in her community. This condition caused her immense emotional distress, leaving her feeling isolated and misunderstood. Without an emotional support system, she struggled alone. Despite visiting numerous doctors, none could properly diagnose or treat her condition. Her relentless pursuit of a cure led to financial ruin. Imagine the strain, stress, frustration, and depression she endured. Her situation must have felt hopeless, and surely she was exhausted and ready to give up. But then, she heard about a man who was different from all the medical professionals she had encountered. She learned that this man had a perfect track record in diagnosing and healing everyone who sought his help. Surely, he could heal her too. As her last hope, she set out to find this man. Not knowing whether or not he would be willing to help her, she was willing to take the risk and fight for her healing. So, let’s explore more closely this woman’s encounter with Jesus, the miracle worker. Be of Good cheer That statement, “… Be of good cheer…” (NKJV). Some transitions say, “Take courage,” is such a powerful statement. Here is a woman who was hopeless and felt defeated by her untimely health problem. Therefore, I can only imagine, that her mindset was slightly off concerning the possibility of her obtaining the healing she so desired. She had heard about Jesus and the great miracles he had done for others. She knew his track record was perfect. But could he really do it for her? Is it even possible that she can be whole again? Well aware of the many challenges and obstacles in her path to reach Jesus, she did not allow this to discourage her. She was determined to find out if healing was possible for her. And Jesus did not disappoint. As she made her way through the crowd, she got close enough to touch the hem of his garment. She believed that if she could just touch him, she would be healed. And when she did, power flowed out of Jesus, causing him to stop in his tracks. Turning his attention to the crowd, he noticed the woman, who was sitting still, mentally examining her body. Did it happen? Had she obtained the healing she came for? After she touched Jesus, likely, her blood didn’t dry up immediately, based on what Jesus said to her next. It may have taken a moment before she noticed the difference. When Jesus turned and saw her, he immediately said, “Be of good cheer” or “Be of good comfort” (KJV). The Greek word for this phrase is tharseō (G2293). Jesus understood that he couldn’t just address her physical condition; he also needed to heal her emotionally. She had endured so much hurt, disappointment, and frustration from past failed attempts to cure her health issue. By saying, “Daughter, be of good comfort,” Jesus spoke directly to her brokenhearted spirit, filling it with new hope and joy. Every anxiety, fear, uncertainty, and disappointment she carried likely vanished in that moment. She was now not only physically healed but also emotionally sound. Jesus knew it was crucial to speak with tenderness to her emotional state, much like a father would. By bringing her comfort, he was also restoring her spiritually. Can you imagine the level of peace she felt at that moment? Not only had she obtained her healing, but Jesus had also comforted her, restored her faith, and accepted her as his daughter. Jesus did something unique and honorable for this woman: he made her whole by restoring both her health and her dignity. fight for iT None of this would have been possible if the woman had lacked faith, accepted her condition as unchangeable, and given up. After 12 years of battling her disease, she held onto enough faith, even if it was as small as a mustard seed, to believe that if anyone could heal her, it was Jesus. When she heard about Jesus, she didn’t assume he was just another person who would take her money without solving her problem. Instead, she believed in what she had heard about him. Imagine the inner conflict she faced, putting that kind of faith in Jesus’ healing ability after all her past disappointments with other so-called healers. She could have taken the stance that none of the previous prayers, treatment plans, medicines, or medical attempts had worked, so why would this be any different? She could have decided she was tired and resigned herself to her fate, waiting to obtain healing in heaven. BUT THAT WOULD HAVE BEEN A HUGE CONTRADICTION, CONSIDERING WHAT GOD’S WORD SAYS AND WHAT JESUS CAN ACTUALLY DO. Therefore, our plight depends on two crucial things:
In every healing situation we've examined in the book of Matthew, we've noticed a consistent pattern: each individual had faith in Jesus' ability to heal. Often, Jesus was their last hope—they had tried other remedies that failed. Yet, they believed Jesus could heal them. The remarkable thing is that Jesus never denied healing to anyone who displayed faith in him. He met these individuals with compassion, love, and mercy. In the case of the woman with the bleeding issue, Jesus didn’t just address her immediate need but gave her so much more. Her faith was the key to receiving this complete healing. Now, don’t get it twisted—Jesus can heal anyone, regardless of their faith. However, when it comes to healing as Jesus taught, our faith plays a crucial role. Jesus is always capable of doing His part; He is flawless, sovereign, and has a perfect healing record. Nothing is impossible for Him, even today. So, if Jesus is capable, what is the required piece? Our faith. We need to elevate our faith to a level where we do not doubt Jesus' ability to heal. Every individual we've read about in Matthew had this unwavering faith in Jesus’ healing power. They had no doubt He could do it. So, how do we get there? It's a fight. We must battle against the disappointment and frustration that arise when prayers or medical attempts don’t yield the desired results. We cannot let these setbacks determine our belief in Jesus' healing power. We need to fight against such a mindset and place our faith in the only one who can truly heal—Jesus. Also, understanding the mystery behind healing is crucial. There are many reasons why someone may not receive the healing they desire immediately. When faced with hindrances, we must be prepared to fight to understand why there is a delay. What’s preventing us from being healed and experiencing wholeness? It's also important to recognize that healing can occur in different ways. For some, it may happen immediately, but for most, healing happens in stages, much like the woman with the bleeding issue. Although her healing took place within seconds or minutes, the emphasis should not be on the time it took but on the stages, she went through to become whole again. Focusing on these stages can change our perspective on healing and better position us to receive the wholeness we deeply desire. Let’s summarize Ways to Obtain Healing:
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