What comes to mind when you read the words supernatual healing? For me it was always things like an arm growing, vision being restored, or someone who was paralyzed getting up and walking. Those are incredible instances of God displaying His power and glory. There are stories like this all throughout the bible and I have seen such tangible displays of Gods ability to heal. One was just before leaving for the race. My friend was hunched over and hadn’t been able to straighten her back all day, even after seeing a chiropractor. She was in excruciating pain and was using a walker just to get around her home (she’s very young). Sitting on her couch we prayed and to our astonishment her back began to straighten up and she stood up with a look of shock on her face. There we stood in her living room passionately praising God and in awe of the undeniable way we had just seen Him move.
I thought that experience was meant to prepare me for all the supernatural healings I would see on the race. I had read so many blogs before coming about crazy things racers had seen. So, in all honesty, and knowing full well I’m not supposed to be seeking signs and wonders but God Himself, I have still felt at times like throwing a little pity party about the perceived lack of supernatural healings I’ve witnessed on the race so far.
Then in Thailand I met a woman named May. She is my same age and she shared her story as she drove us home. In college she suffered with depression and obsessive compulsive disorder. She began seeing a psychiatrist to get help. During that time, she got invited to some Christian meetings. The first time she heard worship music her body felt warm and she felt peace. Since then she has dedicated her life to Christ. He took her on a slow, step by step journey of healing. Her psychiatrist told her parents of the drastic improvement and eventual non-existence of her condition. The Lord had truly healed her of depression and OCD. She talked about the great peace she feels now and that was evidently rolling off of her like a gentle river. As she shared this story I realized this…A CHANGED LIFE…is just as much if not even more of an example of supernatural healing.
***The Lord is teaching me to take things out of the boxes I am prone to putting them in.***
Healing is not always instant, and it is not always physical. Sometimes it looks like a sin pattern someone has tried over and over again to stop and has finally overcome. Sometimes it is a person who no longer needs medications or therapy to fight depression because now they live in freedom and joy. It could be a womans broken heart finally mended from wounds it incurred as a little girl. It can come in so many forms and look so different. For some it is an instant transaction. In other cases, like with May or in my own life it comes slowly. But either way, it is done by the power of the Spirit and testifies to Gods gracious desire to see people healed, whole, and well.
Don’t get me wrong, I would absolutely love and hope I do witness some wonderful physical healings over the remainder of the race. But now, the cool thing is I can still see and rejoice over how God is magnified and allows us to be a part in whatever capacity of the healing of many hearts and minds.
Being in Eastern Europe has really given me a heightened awareness and appreciation for what the Lord has done in my own life. It is so crazy to be surrounded by the things I used to chase after that had such a hold on me and how they look like filth to me now. They look dark. I can see the empty promises and pain they offer. It is a crazy thing that Jesus can change the desires of our hearts and what we crave.
“Yes, everything else is worthless when compared with the infinite value of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them garbage, that I may gain Christ.” -Phil. 3:8
I still don’t know the logical answers as to how this occurs because Jesus is not a formula, He is not a religion, and He is bigger by far than our limited human logic. I just know that each day I give Him my brokenness and in turn He gives me His love. He gives contentment, satisfaction, and purpose. He truly is Jehovah Rapha: the Lord who heals us.
In light of what I wrote, I would encourage anyone who desires healing of any kind to cry out to the Lord and ask for it and allow Him to do the work only He can do. Also, feel free to contact me to chat or ask for prayer. I would love to share more of my story and/or pray for you!
-Jenna
