"Healing Biblically"
Part I

"What Hinders Healing?"
or
"What Is Hindering My Healing?"

 By Diana Gray, Bible Ref. K.J.V.
Copyright (c) 1999, 2000 All Rights Reserved

     Let's talk about healing and where and whom it comes form. Jesus died on the cross for the atonement of our sins. People did not deserve to have Jesus do that for them.  We certainly do not deserve to have anyone die on the cross for our sins. He suffered the torture and pain of a horrible death for us. The third day he arose from having been dead and today He is alive ruling Heaven with God the Father.  Praise the Lord! He will be coming back for us soon during a time called the ‘Rapture of the Christian Church.’

     Isaiah 53:4-5 Surely he hath borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows: yet we did esteem him stricken, smitten of God, and afflicted. But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed

     Matt. 8:16-17 When the even was come, they brought unto him any that were possessed with devils: and he cast out the spirits with his word, and healed all that were sick: That it might be fulfilled which was spoken by Esaias the prophet, saying, Himself took our infirmities, and bare our sicknesses.

     "With His stripes, we are healed." So why are we walking around with sickness, pain and suffering instead of being healthy and well? This is a good question and through this writing I will attempt to throw some light upon this troublesome subject.  
     We know that Biblical people were healed, but were there any un-healed people in the Bible? Yes, there was the Apostle Paul himself who had a "thorn in the flesh," and he himself tells us why he did.

     2 Cor. 12:7 And lest I should be exalted above measure through the abundance of the revelations, there was given to me a thorn in the flesh, the messenger of Satan to buffet me, lest I should be exalted above measure.
     
     People seem to be divided as to the proper interpretation of this passage. Some people interpret this to mean that Paul had a demon bothering him, but I agree with the other side of the interpretation that this was some kind of medical problem which plagued him with constant, aching pain.  Pulsating pain or an ache can bother a person and make them feel as if they had a thorn in the flesh.  
    God told Paul "His grace was sufficient for him." I do not believe that God would have left Paul, one of the greatest disciples with a demon so the interpretation of a medical problem sounds very reasonable. 
      You see, in Paul's case the thorn in the flesh  (we do not really know what kind of trouble it was in his body,) would keep him humble.  He was a highly educated man who was raised as a Pharisee to be educated in one of the finest schools in the land.  Taught from childhood on all of the Old Testament Biblical laws and teachings.  The memory work for him must have been impressive and it is easy to understand how such a background could allow a person to become prideful.  
      Paul would have to still  rely upon the Lord instead of his own puffed up self pride.  He knew that when he was weak, then he was strong through the power of the Holy Spirit. "Pride" could have been his downfall, so "lack" of healing kept his eyes in reliance toward the Lord.   In Paul’s case the Lord allowed him to keep the thorn in the flesh from Satan-"lest he should be exalted above measure"
     How many of us have received healing for a serious sickness or disease that Satan gave us, only to have another medical problem left unhealed such as having to wear glasses?  I have been healed of Crohns disease brought on by Satan.  Complete and total healing by Jesus praise the Lord, but I still have to wear glasses for reading.  Does knowing that I have to wear glasses remind me of my human weaknesses and frailties keep me humble?  I like to think so! 

     2 Timothy 4:20 Erastus abode at Corinth: but Trophimus have I left at Miletum sick.

     Another person mentioned in the Bible that had a delay in healing for a time was Trophimus. He was a companion to Paul, and was left in the town called Miletum because he was sick. The Lord through Paul healed a lot of people. Why did He take his time healing Trophimus?  
     There was also Epaphroditus who was sick in presence of the Apostle Paul to the point of almost "dying." The Lord healed many people through Paul, why not heal immediately his two friends? Could it have been that they were too close to Paul, knowing all of his frailties and weaknesses. 
 
     Luke 4:24 And he said, Verily, I say unto you, No prophet is accepted in his own country. 

     Maybe they simply did not have the faith to receive  healing, or did the Lord have another purpose, maybe to win souls? (Lack of faith is not always the reason!) Timothy often had problems with his stomach 

     I Timothy 5:23 Drink no longer water, but use a little wine for thy stomach's sake and thine often infirmities. 

     Worry and stress of the ministerial job that Timothy did, overtook him and his stomach suffered the consequences. Timothy was just plain overworking himself and his lifestyle hindered his healing.  Do you know of any Pastors or Evangelists today (bless their hearts,) who are doing that? 
     What are some of the reasons that people do not receive the manifestation of healing? The first thing that believers will answer and say is lack of belief and faith. There are other reasons other than that one. Let us discuss lack of belief and faith for a minute.

     Heb. 11:6 But without faith it is impossible to please him: for rewarder of them that diligently seek him.

     This verse says that we must do more than just believe, all of  the devils and demons believe that there is a God. They were in Heaven, and actually were in the presence of the Lord Almighty. They were with Him before they fell from grace and were cast out of Heaven because of their sins.
     We can not get to Heaven ourselves without total, complete surrender of all of our pride. This means that we must have a personal relationship with our Lord Jesus as our Lord and Savior. We must ask for forgiveness of our sins and ask Him into our hearts accepting His forgiveness. We then can  walk in His grace and love knowing that Heaven is our reward.

     Matt. 13:58 And he did not many mighty works there because of their unbelief.

     Heb. 13:8 Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and today, and for ever.

     Does the Lord want some of us sick and some of us well?  No, it's his desire that we all accept him as our Savior and claim that healing anointing through Jesus Christ for ourselves.  It is God’s desire that we all receive healing.  So why do you wonder was Paul left unhealed?  
     It was not the desire of God to refuse to heal him but the Lord allowed the "thorn in the flesh" to keep Paul a humble man who had to rely upon the Lord.  God knew Paul’s heart and special calling upon his life.   Winning the souls of the world was at stake by the Salvation of Jesus Christ was at stake! Jesus is alive today as He was then and this means that He can still bring about our healing. Unbelief can hinder healing and He heals in His righteous time.
     Remember this important fact, that we all are different and we all have different levels of faith and trials. So be kind to one another seeing each other through the gentle eyes of Jesus.  Do not judge each other harshly.  Lack of healing may be for a divine reason.  Sometimes people receive the manifestation of healing fairly fast, and others seem to take longer, but when we give it to God He is in control of the circumstances.
     Everything you say and the way you act when you speak, are indispensable to your good health!  By professing in a verbal way God's positive healing Words with a positive attitude, you begin to have a manifestation of healing through the positive saving blood of Jesus Christ.  
     God is a God of positives!  Your positive attitude of faith believing confidently in the Lord, believing in his Word you start to manifest healing into your life.  You see, when you believe as a small child with innocent trusting faith miracles begin to take place in your life.  
     Remember,  Romans 10:17 So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.  When you speak the Holy Word of God into your life------boldly with confidence out loud being self-assured in your faith ---- your strength of faith builds, and builds until it has grown large enough to believe accept the Lord’s healing power.
     Jesus desires to heal people but sometimes their lack of faith and belief does hinder them from receiving healing. When people do not walk in true faith turning their eyes away from Bible truths they are in trouble. Jesus is our healer and He wants to heal us as a reward of diligently seeking Him.
     What is another way that people do not receive their healing? SIN! Yes, you see there are a number of other reasons why people do not receive their healing. Sin is a strong reason why here is hindrance of healing.

     I John 3:21-22 Beloved, if our heart condemn us not, then have we confidence toward God. And whatsoever we ask, we receive of him, because we keep his commandments, and do those things that are pleasing in his sight.

      There are any number of things that we do to our bodies which can hinder healing.  Illegal drug usage, Cigarette smoking, (if it harms the body, it is sin and we  know that cigarette smoking does damage the body,) Prostitution, Homosexuality, Drinking, Murder, Rape, Lying, Gossiping, Cheating, Stealing etc., are all sins.  Anything that hurts the body in a negative way is sin.  
     Our bodies are vessels of the Holy Spirit and it's a sin to destroy and abuse it.   No matter how mild the sin against our body is, if it brings harm in any negative way, then it is sin and we should not do it. Our body becomes a vessel of the Holy Spirit when we ask Jesus to come into our lives.   As a child of God and just as we sin against other people, we sin against ourselves when we harm our bodies.  When we live our lives with  unchanged sin, unchanged attitudes and an unchanged heart, then we have trouble receiving our healing.

     James 5:14-16 Is any sick among you? Let him call for the elders of the church; and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord: And the prayer of faith shall save the sick, and the Lord shall raise him up; and if he have committed sins, they shall be forgiven him. Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.

      Now let’s consider the Biblical reference to the use of anointing people with Holy Oil while praying for healing.  Why is this important?  Oil is not only a spiritual symbol of God, but it is also used as an ingredient as a medical medicine. Oil represents a total healing of mind and physical body through the precious name of Jesus.  He is our Lord, helper and healer.  A doctor can do surgery on a person or give them some medicine but only the Lord can bring about healing.  
     Our sins are forgiven as well as receiving healing when we go up for prayer at church. What a wonderful blessing the Lord has given us by His sacrifice that He made upon the cross. When we live our lives in healing faith, our sins are forgiven because we use that faith to believe.  These sins are forgiven for past and present sins only! Future sins will still need to be repented for as a person commits them.  At the same time we go up for healing prayer, we still have to repent and ask for forgiveness   
     Just because a person has been forgiven of their sins, does not mean that they are forever without sin.  Confession and  forgiveness may be the way God uses to bring about salvation  through the sickness that Satan has given to a person.   
     What greater witness of the power of God, than when a person was told by the doctors that they were going to die of cancer, only to find out that total healing has happened through faith and forgiveness of sin.  Some people have to go through some pretty rough surgeries only to have the doctors perceive the revelation of healing and the power of God in the healed person's life. Many doctors and nurses receive salvation that way, by  peoples' healing testimonies. 
     Does God desire healing? Salvation can be the reason for the delay or seemingly lack of healing. Yes, he does, but we must be the kingdom of God. The Lord's timing, always remember that! I have suffered terribly in my life time from car accidents and sickness, but now after compete healing, what a testimony I  have to use for winning souls to the Kingdom of God.
     "Continue doing all medical procedure ordered by your doctors until you have received a confirmation from them of that healing." In other words "wait until the doctor says" that you are well before you quit undergoing medical treatment. That is God given common since! Remember that this could really be a tremendous witness for the doctors to see about the miracle working power of the Holy Spirit!
     Here is another reason that hinders healing, bad attitudes and wrongful thoughts. Negative confession and acting upon one's feelings make a person feel  helpless. You are "not" helpless, no matter how sick your  mind thinks you are. It helps if you can say your prayers out loud, but if you can only think them God will still hear you even if you pray in your thoughts. Even if the rest of your body cannot move,  you can still pray with your mind the thoughts of faithful healing scriptures.     
     If you can speak out loud your prayers, than do so.  There is real strength in voicing a prayerful confession of healing through the blood of Jesus Christ.  Your faith will grow stronger if you can speak out loud because not only will you be praying but your ears will also be hearing your prayer. 
     There is so much power in the prayer of a strong believer.  It’s Holy Spirit anointed and powerful! More power then people normally realize. Don't under estimate that power of praying.  When you pray with all of the faith that you have, the Lord sends His angels to do His bidding on your behalf. 
     I have had pain in the hospital so bad that they had to give me a medicine called Morphine every hour.  How did I handle the situation, with prayer! I prayed, "Lord help me still to witness and tell people about  Jesus, in spite of these seemingly bad circumstances." He did, and I did witness about Jesus to a lot of people. God was able to still use me even though I was in a hospital bed because my positive attitude and eyes were fixed firmly upon Him in solid faith.
     Did I cry from the pain? Yes! Did I share Jesus with people? You bet I did! Was I physically helpless? Yes, but I did not allow myself to wallow in helpless feelings and a pity party. I said, "Lord no matter what, I will keep my mind and heart on you.  I know that you will help and heal me." You see, if we train our attitudes and thought lives, we will be able to fight back with great faith when needed. There is something important and special about talking and confessing God’s Words of healing in a positive way.  Bad attitudes and a wrong thought life can hinder healing of our physical health and spiritual growth.  Good positive attitudes filled with faith is truly anointed with the love of God.
     Now let's talk about neglecting one's health. Some people lead  lives of rigorous self denial and physical neglect.  They tend to get so involved with other people’s lives or various types of jobs, that they forget to take care of their own bodies.  
     Quick fix, greasy fast foods can play havoc on one’s stomach.  When people get in too big of a hurry to eat a calm meal, it begins to cause upset stomachaches.  This can make them fall pray to sicknesses, diseases or mental breakdowns.  By not taking the time to eat calm healthy meals in a relaxing atmosphere they set themselves up for serious problems.  
     This not could happen not only to people in the general population but people in Christian ministry as well.  Devotion to one's ministry must not prevent common sense to take place. You see, each on of us is not immune! 
     Delegating authority to the right church people helps! Jesus sent His disciples out by twos on various jobs, did He not? Delegation certainly is a healthy answer to  fatigue and burn out!  Please understand, that before someone can do any job in ministry, they need to spiritually be moving and flowing on the same level as the Pastor.  Spiritual unity is so important to a well run church.  All the delegation in the world won’t help if people aren’t moving at the same level.  
     The idea here is to illuminate stress, not increase it.  Jesus told us to pray for workers, did He not? More workers would ease up a Pastor's responsibilities, and enable them to be winning souls for the Kingdom of God.  Not only shepherding the body of believers to become more spiritual, but saving souls is their main calling?  
     How many people sit in church pews who are sick, over weight and generally get little or no exercise?  A lifetime of lazy physical neglect has set them up for physical problems.  It is surprising how quick and easy it is to get into this lifestyle.  The easy way out is not always the best.  If you want to be in good health, you have to do your part in taking good care of your bodies.  

     Changing one's life style may be in order.  This helps bring about healing along with prayer and faith. Wisely exercising and eating wholesome foods on a regular basis is not only wise but  it is preventative medicine. It's a lot easier to take the problems of the world on when one has been consistently taking care of  one's physical body in a healthy intelligent way.

     Ecclesiates 3:1-2 To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven: A time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to pluck up that which is planted;

     A person’s  ‘appointed time to die’ can be a sad thought for some people.’ Let’s face it, dying can prevent healing. This can make a person feel sad, but it is not really. Remember what I was saying about a positive attitude? If you are truly "born again" an eternity in Heaven is your reward. For all eternity we will be healthy and happy!
     Unless the rapture of the Church happens and Jesus takes us away to Heaven, "we are all going to die and face the grave!" Happily, eternity in Heaven awaits those of us who have accepted Jesus Christ as our Savior! I personally refuse to think of this as being a sad thing, dying I mean. 
     Yes, I know what I am talking about, because I have personally had to look  at death.  Many times over the years I have come close to dying.   Going into surgery only to be told I may dye can be pretty scary if I didn’t have the Lord.  Funny thing is, I can remember getting upset that I didn’t die because I was ready to meet my Maker.  I have peace about death and so can you!  Dying maybe painful but we do not have to walk in fear of it.   We have nothing here on earth that is worth keeping compared to the glory of an eternity in Heaven!

     Hebrew 9:27-28 And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment: So Christ was once offered to bear the sins of many; and unto them that took for him shall he appear the second time without sin unto salvation.

     Accepting God's perfect timing with trusting faith is the secret to having His peace about death.  If one doubts, fears and hates this idea of permeate death, then they are setting themselves up for resentment, despair and finely rebellion. You cannot "out run" death and you "cannot hide." It will come, in one form or the other, it will come. Make peace with that fact and enjoy the time that you still have winning souls for the Kingdom.   Unless the rapture comes first, you will die! Besides dying is not the real problem, living is!  
     We walk by faith  knowing that everything is in the perfect will and timing of the Lord.  It is like digging a ditch preparing for the rain to come, even though we can’t see the rain yet we know it will come.  Well trusting in the Lord with our faith is the same way.  We prepare and live our lives knowing the Lord will come for us by death or by the rapture, but He will come. 
     Even if you are in a wheel chair or hospital bed, you can still take joy in worshipping the Lord and praying. Your life at what ever  stage that you are at, still has meaning. Read my other writing "THE WINGS OF AN EAGLE" for more on this subject.)  God may have a purpose to delay healing to winning souls or being a mighty witness in other people's lives. There may be a  special purpose, you just do not know. Your job in life is to "walk  in faith" believing for that healing, allowing the Lord to work in all of the circumstances of life. 
    It is "Not" God's desire for you to be sick and hurt.  Some people have suggested that it is the desire of God, but it is not.  Jesus died on the cross for your sins and sicknesses, but He might use the circumstance for His purpose of Salvation. 
    To summarize this special study, let us again ask ourselves what hinders and delays healing?

1. Un-confessed sin (This deals with unforgiveness towards someone.  Holding a grudge and bad feelings towards anyone is sin and this hinders healing.)

2. Believer's thought life and attitudes. (Any worry, fear, and stress have to be brought under control with the help of the Holy Spirit.  These can seriously hinder healing.)

3. If your life style possibly is causing a lasting sickness or premature death, then you need to work at changing it.  This is where prayer and faith come in to play.  (Smoking cigarettes can cause cancer and a mired of related diseases.  Eating right, exercise and changing one's actions can go a long way in living a healthy life.)

4. Death at the appointed time looses its fear when considering eternity in Heaven. Because we do not really know how long we have to live, we still need to be praying for healing and living with solid faith of that healing.

5. Faith and belief go hand in hand in trusting God. (Prayer and Faith must be daily exercised.  Prayer and faith must be coupled with the Word of God to receive healthy results.  These allow the manifesting of healing to take place in one’s life.)

     Prayer must continue until healing has taken place. Ask yourself if God might have a reason for the delay or is there anything you can do or change in your lifestyle.  Continue to stand in faithful belief that it will soon afterwards happen. Sometimes we will not know until we die and are in Heaven the reason for hindered or delayed healing. WE DON'T EVER GIVE UP WALKING IN FAITH BELIEVING FOR THAT HEALING! Never, never, never, never, ever give up believing that after all of this you are healed!
     Your healing is a personal thing between you and God. No one can judge you and your faith. Only you really know for sure. Do not let anyone tell you different. You need to judge yourself and pray for a wise answer from the Lord.
     In 'PART II' of 'HEALING BIBLICALLY' I talk more about 'faith healing!' I hope that you read it. It really has an important teaching on walking in "real faith healing.  IT IS REALLY A "POWERFUL MESSAGE" and I know that  "YOU WILL NOT WANT TO MISS IT!"

Disclaimer:  This information is given out and covered by the "Good Samaritan Act"  It is being given out in worshipful faith and spiritual  beliefs.  No promises or guarantees are made or implied. HEALING IS
A  MATTER BETWEEN A PERSON, THEIR FAITH, AND THE LORD  GOD.  I  ENCOURAGE FAITH THROUGH GOD'S WORD.