The Bible doesn’t provide a simple, one-size-fits-all answer to why some people are healed and others are not, but it does offer several insights to help us understand God’s purpose in both healing and suffering.
1. It is appointed once to die: As Hebrews 9:27 states, “And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment,” death is an inevitable part of the human experience. Physical healing, while a blessing, is not always guaranteed in this life because death is part of God’s sovereign plan for all people. This doesn’t diminish God’s power to heal, but it reminds us that there is a time for all things, including death. In the context of healing, God’s will and purpose extend beyond immediate physical restoration, and death is part of His overall plan.
2. God’s Glory in Sickness: Sometimes, God allows sickness and suffering to reveal His glory. In John 9:1-3, when Jesus encounters a blind man, His disciples ask whether the blindness was caused by the man’s sin or his parents’. Jesus replies, “Neither hath this man sinned, nor his parents: but that the works of God should be made manifest in him.” This shows that certain conditions, including sickness, may be allowed to bring God’s glory in ways we don’t fully understand, even without immediate healing.
3. God’s Will in Healing: Healing, when it happens, is a manifestation of God’s will and power. As James 5:14-15 says, “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…” Ultimately, God’s decision to heal or not is guided by His perfect will. We may not always understand the reasons behind it, but we are called to trust in His wisdom.
4. Suffering Brings Growth: In 2 Corinthians 12:7-10, Paul shares about his “thorn in the flesh,” and despite praying for healing, God chose not to remove it. Paul learned that God’s grace was sufficient and that in his weakness, God’s strength was made perfect. This passage reveals that suffering is sometimes allowed to bring about spiritual growth, not as a punishment, but to cultivate deeper dependence on God’s grace.
5. Trust in God’s Plan: Whether or not a person is healed, it’s essential to trust that God has a higher purpose. As Romans 8:28 assures us, “And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.” Whether through healing or suffering, God is working all things for His glory and our good.
In conclusion, some people are healed, and some are not, not because God is unwilling, but because His purposes transcend the physical realm. Healing may come, but even in illness, God’s glory can shine through. Through suffering, we can experience His grace and power in deeper ways. God’s will and purpose go beyond immediate physical healing; in some cases, even in sickness, He reveals His glory through a person’s faith, perseverance, and witness.
As it relates to grief, the Bible does not promise an absence of pain or suffering in this world, but it assures us that God is present in our grief and can bring comfort. 2 Corinthians 1:3-4 says, “Blessed be God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies, and the God of all comfort; Who comforteth us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort them which are in any trouble, by the comfort wherewith we ourselves are comforted of God.” Even in illness or grief, God’s presence and purposes can bring healing, comfort, and glory. Some may experience physical healing, while others may undergo emotional and spiritual healing, leading them to a deeper understanding of God’s love and faithfulness, even in times of suffering.
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