I have a friend going through a medical problem right now. We just left the hospital, where the family is not able to be with their sick wife and mom. In times like these, in which sickness comes out of nowhere, we don’t normally know how to respond. Instead, there is a default within us that naturally shifts to worrying. The Bible teaches us that worry is a lack of faith, and sometimes Christians are unauthentically forced to not show signs of worry, because we know it’s wrong.
Now I’m not making any theological statements here, but I would submit that worry can be a symptom of a greater love beneath the surface. Although we believe in a God who is the Divine Healer, our frail minds automatically start to wander with all the possibilities and outcomes. This is where the need for fervent prayer enters the scene. We, as humans, know that God is the One in control; but at the same time, we hurt for our sick loved ones.
So tonight, I’m writing a post specifically for that family (you know who you are), in hopes not that we will medicate ourselves with a robotic sense of hope, but that we will consistently place oursleves at the feet of Jesus in humility to His love.
Reading Romans, a few verses pop out to me (taken completely out of context) that might bring peace to our hurting hearts tonight.
1. Romans 8:26 – In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groans that words cannot express.
2. Romans 8:28 – And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.
3. Romans 8:31 – What, then, shall we say in response to this? If God is for us, who can be against us?
4. Romans 8:38-39 – For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
I’m praying for our loved one tonight, swapping worry for hope, in Jesus love for us, and our dear friend. One of the sweetest souls I know is under the Lord’s watch tonight. I rest in Him knowing that He is in the room with her as I type these very words, holding her with His Divine touch.