At a homeschool gathering today, I was talking with a couple of friends. One lady, “Denice”, who attends a very charismatic church, said that she had been to the doctor yesterday and that he was amazed that she had been healed of her thyroid condition. She said that the Lord told her three years ago to quit taking her thyroid medication, and she was obedient, and then she just trusted that she was healed. Somewhere in the midst of Denice’s story, the other lady mentioned that she, too, had thyroid problems.
I just stood and listened and became more and more uncomfortable as Denice told us that God had delivered her from thyroid imbalance and that Satan wants us to be in bondage to health problems but we should know that we are already healed from all diseases. I was thinking, and I’m sure the other lady who still has a thyroid condition was thinking, too: “So, why isn’t she healed?”
I didn’t want to belittle Denice or show disbelief in her story, but I was quite discomfited by the implications of the conversation. I do believe that God can heal us and sometimes does, but I don’t believe that it’s right or wise to quit taking medication that was prescribed by a doctor without getting the advice of that doctor. And I don’t believe that “we are already healed of all diseases.”
So, what should I have said, if anything?
I was in a church that taught people are always healed (God wants them rich), etc. I did see some people healed but most carried guilt thinking something must be wrong with them because they are sick.
Then I watched my sister die of cancer because the church she attended in Texas taught the same thing. She didn’t go to the doctor until it was too late and now her children are bitter (and last I heard, not walking with the Lord) because their mom died.
The church I attend will pray for people to be healed but they never (ever) tell people they should do what that woman did. If anything, my pastor would make certain I’m taking my insulin and thyroid medicine.
I remember when our first child died shortly after he was born. My pastor at the time came to see me and remarked something to the affect our next child would live as long as I had more faith. AAAAACK!
Believe me, having been told some of those things made me be even more careful around others who have afflictions. The last thing they need is guilt because they are sick…or poor…or both.
I think you did the right thing, though. The woman was healed and excited about it. She was just sharing the theology that she believes. It is up to her to realize by stating that particular opinion, she may be stepping on the toes of another Christian…even making them feel worse. All you can do is smile and listen.
Hello. I have been lurking, but I thought I would comment. I would point out that the apostle Paul had some kind of infirmity. He prayed three times for it to be taken away, but it was not. God promises to heal us of our spiritual sickness, not our physical sickness. Physical sickness just comes with living in a fallen world. When we get to Heaven, we will no longer have to deal with sickness of any kind!
Wow. I just read a book called “I Believe in Miracles” by Kathryn Kuhlman (a faith healer during the 50’s-60’s) so this issue is kind of fresh on my mind.
Like you, I believe that God *can* heal people, but I don’t believe that God *always* heals people. And I also think that sometimes God uses modern medicine and doctors to heal people.
I’m very anti-prosperity gospel and basically anti-word of faith movement (if you have enough faith, you’ll be healed. If you’re not healed, it’s because you don’t have enough faith). That’s just hogwash. God doesn’t intend for us to live forever, and therefore we will all grow ill and die eventually. The fall of Adam and Eve made physical death our destiny and that’s why there’s HEAVEN. Yes, all Christians WILL be healed eventually, but for some of us, it won’t happen this side of heaven.
There is a verse in the bible that says, “By His stripes, we are healed”. This is the verse that a lot of people use to “prove” that we are meant to be healed–or are already healed from illness, but I don’t believe that verse has anything to do with physical illness. I believe it’s in the context of SPIRITUAL illness. Yes, by Jesus’ stripes, the Christian is healed spiritually. Based on Christian theology, there is no other way to be healed spiritually except through Jesus’ death on the cross.
Sorry this is so long! 🙂
Yes, I agree. I really like this explanation in the book Authenticity: A Biblical Theology of Discernment by Thomas Dubay:
“God expects us to use ordinary means to achieve ordinary ends. If I break a leg, he expects me to get it set by a doctor. I may pray for divine healing, but not instead of refusing ordinary medical help. We should surely pray for divine enlightment but not instead of refusing study and consultation. Where human reason is sufficient to solve problems, God is not likely to intervene in a supernatural manner.”
Sounds like you’re wondering if you should have spoke up because the other woman was there. If I was bothered enough I would try and touch base with her later.
I’ve finally figured out that my strategy in those situations is to try and come up with a pointed question to ask like, “What would you have done if you’d gotten sicker?” Sometimes it steers the conversation to a place where they are willing to listen to another perspective.