Does healing always come when we pray? Some people say "yes, healing always
comes when we pray. You just may not have enough faith to receive it." That
sounds like a very trite and simple answer especially to someone in pain.
When Saint Paul asked for his thorn in the flesh to be removed, God replied;
"My grace is sufficient for you." There have been numerous studies on Paul's
thorn in the flesh by people more educated than me. You should check with a
minister, a library, or a bookstore if you wish to study Paul's thorn in
detail.
Is it greater for someone to receive complete physical healing or for God to
give them the grace to live with the situation the way it is? Is God being
more gracious or merciful when He completely heals a person? Is it what the
person does that determines God's action in their life? Is God completely
arbitrary in deciding who is healed? These are the questions I want to
examine. I ask these questions frequently because I live my life in a
wheelchair.
First, let me say that so far I have had a pretty good life. I haven't known
serious hunger, I have always had a roof over my head, and have been able to
do just about anything that a person without the use of their legs can do.
However, there are times that that I question "what would my life be like if
God chose to heal me?" Apparently, it is a moot question since I'm not able
to walk in this body. God has given me grace to get through some pretty awful situations; a back surgery gone awry, a near death experience, my parents bitter divorce and
being in a wheelchair. I thank Him for the grace to deal with all of these
things.
So, how does God decide which person gets healed and which person does not?
I believe the key is which condition will bring more glory to God. I am a
living testimony of God's grace every day that I wake up. He gives me the
courage and ability to go on with my life. Does that show God's grace better
than someone who is miraculously healed and able to walk? I don't know which
is greater. Perhaps God can see that I would literally run to sin if I had
the use of my legs. Maybe it is better to be inconvenienced here and reach
heaven rather than be walking here and end up in hell. What about someone
like Joni Earickson? She has no use of her legs and extremely limited use of
her arms. Does God get more glory from her condition? Yes, she has been a
powerful witness of God's grace. She has been instrumental in bringing
numerous people to a closer relationship with God.
I personally know people who have been completely healed of their condition.
This also brings glory to God. Only He knows what will bring Him more glory;
Whether someone is healed or they are given the grace to live for Him the
way they are.
As for the other questions I asked, I don't know the answers. I do not
believe that God is malicious or capricious. I have to believe that God
knows the answers and trust Him. That's where I'm putting my faith.
