These “coincidences” are wonderful times for God to show His power and might. After the Shunammite woman’s son came back to life, a few chapters later, another story about her describes divine timings. Elisha prophesied that the land would experience seven years of famine and said she should leave. She obediently went to the land of the Philistines. After seven years she returned to find her house and lands taken. She approached the king to plead for restoration. Elisha’s servant “just happened” to be with the king that day and was telling him about Elisha’s miracles. As he was sharing about her son’s resurrection, the Shunammite woman came in (see 2 Kings 8:1-6). Because of this godly timing, her property was restored. God’s chance encounters are powerful intersections to accomplish much.
As often happened with Jesus, you may be going about the business of life when you’re called upon to pray for others’ dire needs—at your seat in church, your child’s T-ball game, the entrance to Walmart. Often it comes at the most inconvenient moments when you’ve run to the grocery without make-up or in your tennis shoes, green from mowing the lawn. In Acts, Peter was also going about life’s business. He may have had a big day planned to catch up on his ministry duties, spend time with his family, or maybe just rest. The Lord changed those plans, though, when men came to him “imploring him not to delay in coming to them” (Acts 9:38). This was a day when Peter didn’t have time to go into his prayer closet for intense prayer. If he’d known in advance, he could have prepared spiritually, but often you must act upon the need immediately. Peter had to be ministry-ready for this dire need: Tabitha had died and needed to be raised. He responded. The result was a resurrection.
Jesus’ power was amazing on earth, but He left us with our own healing mandate. Like Jesus expected the fig tree to be producing though it wasn’t the season for figs (see Mark 11:13), you should be constantly producing the fruit of healing. Jesus taught that He’d take away branches that don’t bear fruit (see John 15:2), and Paul says to be “ready in season and out of season” (2 Tim. 4:2). In other words, show up, prayed-up, because prayer needs are often spontaneous. Being ready in and out of season is a 24-7-365 job because people and their needs matter so much to the Lord and, as His hands on earth, to you, too. The healing of the demon-possessed son occurred as Jesus and His inner circle were descending from the mountain after the most intense glory event recorded in Scripture. A deliverance wasn’t Jesus’ objective that day. At the bottom, they encountered many with healing needs, including this possessed boy. Had they known in advance, they could’ve prepared; but this father approached them desperately, unexpectedly. Jesus’ telling disciples what was needed for victory shows you should make prayer and fasting your lifestyle. Your next intersection may be with someone whose existence or freedom depends on you.
Judging
Another block to healing is negatively judging God’s choice of whom He wants to use or how He wants to heal. One day, Jesus had been teaching multitudes so hungry for the Word they stood on the shore while He taught from a boat (see Matt. 13:1-2). After He sent them away, He returned to Nazareth, where He was reared. There, He also taught in synagogues, but those in Nazareth responded differently from other places. Elsewhere throngs had surrounded Him, voraciously grasping every word and miracle. In contrast, in Nazareth they were shocked, suspicious, and offended about how He could have such wisdom and mighty works (see Matt. 13:54, 57). They were His own people and should’ve realized His substance, character, and calling. Instead, they were side-tracked by being too familiar with Him. They knew his parents—Joseph, the carpenter, was His father; Mary was His mother. They could recite His brothers’ names and still lived around His sisters (see John 6:42; Matt. 13:55-56). Instead of accepting and worshiping Him in His deity, they “were offended at Him” (Matt. 13:57) and judged Him to be no one special.
Suspicion, envy, and self-seeking are aspects of judging and bring confusion and evil (see James 3:16), while impacting receiving. The misjudging in Jesus’ hometown hindered their healing because “He did not do many mighty works there because of their unbelief” (Matt. 13:58). Mark says Jesus “could do no mighty works” (Mark 6:5-6). Nazareth citizens probably needed those miracles as critically as anywhere, but they missed that opportunity. Their judging and unbelief tied Jesus’ hands from accomplishing what they greatly needed. Jesus said, “A prophet is not without honor except in his own country and in his own house” (Matt. 13:57). Does that scenario sound familiar?
As you move into God-ordained ministries, you’re received and celebrated wherever you go. In your families, churches, or hometown, though, you’re often denigrated because people remember you. They babysat for you or saw you sweating at the gym. They can enumerate your prior bad choices. Paul understood these types of trials because others were suspicious of him throughout his ministry because of his former character and choices (see Acts 9:26). After some see what God’s accomplishing through you, they don’t think of you as God’s anointed vessel but as someone with familiarity and a past. I’ve also heard envy from some, even those closest who believe they’d be a better choice for your ministry. The truth is they’re not called to that role, anointed, or couldn’t/wouldn’t do the necessary work.
You miss much because you judge God’s message by the messenger. I’ve seen many instances of God healing through unlikely people, even children. A while back I saw a lady for the first time in years. She told me that when we were teenagers, we were at a church dinner, and I received a word of knowledge about her. She’d been experiencing abdominal issues where I’d indicated. As I laid my hands on her, she was healed and hasn’t had that issue now for nearly fifty years. God chooses whom He uses, and you may not understand His choices because you don’t comprehend others’ value like God does (see 1 Sam. 16:7). The Lord rarely chooses the best in the world’s eyes but always employs those with His anointed touch. Today, many preachers are elevated in the world’s eyes, but answers often come not from the king but a shepherd boy who slays the giant or from a Carpenter with callused hands and a dusty robe. Or maybe it comes through you.
The Lord rarely chooses the best in the world’s eyes but always employs those with His anointed touch.
Sometimes you wrongly judge yourself by thinking you’re not good enough to come to Jesus. Many variables keep people from approaching—preconceived biases, a feeling of worthlessness, others’ opinions. But then, like the lady with the issue of blood, desperation drives them toward that humble Master. What a lesson! God doesn’t arbitrarily choose whom He’ll use or whom He’ll heal. Those who go to Jesus get His touch. He proved often He didn’t prefer those the establishment did—tax collectors, sinners, lowly fishermen, lepers. He loves all equally (see Acts 10:34), and His criteria is different from the world’s. What a promise that He will perfect that which concerns you (see Ps. 138:8), and that includes healing.
Words
I’ve written much about the power of words as a healing help or block. Words can impede your healing when they speak fear and doubt. Any time you voice negativity, you speak that reality into being and negate God’s plan. Jesus taught about speaking fear when He said don’t worry, saying what will you eat, drink, or wear (see Matt. 6:31). The fact that He said not to speak your worries says that voicing those fears creates dynamics that impede God. When an angel spoke to Zacharias that Elizabeth would bear a son (see Luke 1:13), he doubted. The angel smote him mute until after the baby was born. Why? God had a plan for John the Baptist to come into the world to prepare the way for His Son. However, doubt spoken by Zacharias or others may have aborted that plan. Rather than his communicating damaging words, Zacharias became mute. You should be careful with your own words and with whom you share secrets because their words are powerful, too. Words, even those said about you, can derail God’s planned miracle. Others’ words about your situation make a great difference, especially as curses to afflict you.
Words can impede your healing when they speak fear and doubt.
As the Shunammite woman sought the prophet to raise her dead son, she didn’t speak about the death to her husband, Elisha’s servant, or to Elisha but said, “It is well” (2 Kings 4:26). Her promised son lay dead, but she never let that pass from her lips because she knew God’s word held more authority than even death. Facts you see versus what you’ve been promised may be different, so you should guard your mouth and speak only God’s reality. Elisha returned, and the boy was raised from the dead (see 2 Kings 4:30-35). What you expect to happen is reflected by your words, so your mouth should speak His promises or not speak at all. Solomon said, “A fool’s mouth is his destruction, and his lips are the snare of his soul” (Prov. 18:7). He also said, “The words of the wise…and…of scholars are like well-driven nails” (Eccles. 12:11). You should use words like nails to ensure your healing rather than to secure your coffin. With words you create the reality in which you walk.
Despite Jesus’ initial reaction, the Greek woman didn’t allow herself to fall into the negativity trap. Instead of destructive words, her response was, “Yes, Lord” (Matt. 15:27). How that word, yes, can change your destiny as you agree with Jesus’ words. Instead of fighting against what He’s said, agreeing with Him brings change. It speaks of faith in His wisdom. After she said that, the woman humbled herself and worshiped, then said, “Lord, help me” (Matt. 15:25). When nothing else gets through to the Master, words of worship touch Him. Too often you focus on what He can do for you rather than the wonder of who He is. He loves your adoration; if He seems far away, worship catches His attention. It’s the great equalizer that lifts you above the natural and into the spiritual realm. It lifts even Gentiles to a place of honor and brings healing.
Other Blocks
Not only can these impediments block your healing, but many other hindrances should be eliminated. God’s heart is love, so He can’t abide behaviors that don’t align with His character. Love makes you want good, not bad things for others. Peter instructs you not just to love but to love “fervently [and] with a pure heart” (1 Pet. 1:22). If you love people intensely and your heart is pure, you prefer others. Even the unlovable. Seeing others from love’s perspective is easier when you realize God loves everyone as much as He loves you, even those who are unkind. Anything that violates His law of love impedes your healing and moving into your God-ordained destiny (see Isa. 59:2). As I’ve said before, love is important in healing, more than asserting your faith and hope (see 1 Cor. 13:13).
God can’t look past your sin when you come with petitions. Things God despises must go on that list:
These six things the Lord hates, yes, seven are an abomination to Him: a proud look, a lying tongue, hands that shed innocent blood, a heart that devises wicked plans, feet that are swift in running to evil, a false witness who speaks lies, and one who sows discord among brethren (Proverbs 6:16-19).
This powerful passage describes how many Christians operate daily. Pride and arrogance are about “me” and demonstrate a self-focused nature rather than one centered on Him and others. Those people often work for the Lord from a motive of self-promotion and acknowledgment. When you minister for the good of others, you don’t focus on your own issues but on how He can use you. Changing from the self-focus mode transforms you and makes you more pleasing to the Father. James says, “Selfish ambition [brings] disorder and every evil practice” (see James 3:16 NIV). Evil is a strong word to be used about the actions of many Christians. Obviously, self can’t be your focus if you want a healing ministry.
Other traits mentioned in the passage speak of integrity issues, which show what’s in your heart. Lying, murder, purposely doing evil, concocting wicked plans, and stirring up trouble show a spiteful character. Other behaviors may seem innocent, but they can stand between you and God. Some you should eliminate are “malice…deceit, hypocrisy, envy” (1 Pet. 2:1), “bitterness, wrath, anger, clamor…evil speaking” (Eph. 4:31). These are from that self-motivation stance. Paul calls these and similar character traits “works of the flesh” (Gal. 5:19), which can rise up in any of us. God hates many other flesh works, like a “perverse mouth” (see Prov. 8:13). We should please God, and we can’t do that by operating in the flesh (see Rom. 8:8).
Other personal characteristics impact healing. Some never learn the importance of submission to leadership (see Neh. 9:17), from teachers to parents to policemen to pastors. Disobedience is another block. Both lack of submission and disobedience are aspects of rebellion and linked to witchcraft. Though King Saul perceived that his reasons were good, disobedience caused him to lose the kingdom. During his speech to Saul, Samuel defined stubbornness “as iniquity or idolatry” (1 Sam. 15:22-23). Though you may see these behaviors as just part of your personality, God wants them gone. Paul says, “If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit,” eliminating works of the flesh like envy or conceit that impact our spiritual walk (Gal. 5:25-26). Dwelling in Holy Spirit allows flesh to take a back seat. Do any of these undesirable attributes, which God hates, reside in you? If you check your heart daily to find if these or other sins exist, you can repent then walk according to Holy Spirit. All of us have human traits with which we contend, and some aren’t pretty. My mother used to say, “I don’t want those ugly things in this house,” as she pointed to herself. Through repentance each block to healing and to your destiny can be eliminated and free the way for the Healer. Then, watch heaven’s doors open!
Conclusion
One night as I prayed, I saw a vision of my sister Becky beside a Japanese symbol, which I later found out represented long life and prosperity. She told me doctors had found a lump in her breast, likely malignant because of the mass’ size. She’d told only a few people because she was aware of words’ importance and didn’t want lack of faith spoken. God gave her a promise through my vision—she’d have long life and prosperity. We held on to that promise and didn’t fall into unbelief. During surgery, the lump was massive as doctors first cut; then it disappeared. Protecting her words saved her life through that miracle. What you and others speak is important in receiving your healing and keeping it.
God’s given not only healing but all things as a perk for His children. Healing is essential, like bread for the children, and God doesn’t withhold good things. As a Christian, healing is your inheritance, part of those all things, both for you and through you for others. Helping others to be saved and healed gets your eyes off your own problems. With the gifts comes responsibility. That’s part of the instruction He gave, so you should be ready when needs arise. Though you know healing is yours as a Christian, many things can block it. Hindrances like sin, fear, and unbelief impede healing; but repentance, faith, and perseverance can make it happen. Asserting faith and stepping out of the fear camp opens the door for your own and others’ healings. If you assess yourself daily, God can reveal what’s not pleasing to Him. Removing what hinders healing opens the way for Him to bless through you or other unexpected sources.
