Being surrounded with God’s encouragement

Published 9:38 am Thursday, December 26, 2019

It’s true that some people are healthier than others, but the uncomfortable facts reveal the human body is generally frail and vulnerable. I occasionally joke around with my son-in-law about him being from another planet because he says he’s never been sick; unfortunately, like all the rest of us, there will come a day when something will go wrong. As a minister, I’ve been around my share of sickness and pain and it truly hurts me to see others suffer.
My father was a very sick man, and our family watched him go through years of agony. With my parents being faithful members of their church, they received countless thoughts and prayers for him to overcome his health problems. Why was he not healed? Well, I guess that question could also be asked about millions of others since the beginning of time and the answer is always the same – we really do not know.
Do prayers work? Of course, but just because we do not see instant results or for that matter, any results at all does not mean the power of God was not working behind the scenes. I absolutely believe in miracles from heaven and have personally seen them, but we also need to remember this life is only temporary and its true meaning is to develop an awareness of humility, respect, and trust in the God who loves us more than anything.
We’ve heard the old saying about how life was never promised to be a rose garden but even if it was, we are reminded that every rose has its thorns. If our path was always smooth and we always had plenty of money and felt wonderful every day, we would not understand what it means to desperately seek Him. There would be no desire to pray or have a need to demonstrate faith which are essential spiritual building blocks in our relationship with God.
You see, the Lord did not intend for us to worship creation and to only be concerned with living however we want. He desires that we love and worship Him as the creator and live according to His will. Each person is given a few years on this earth as an opportunity to know God and allow Him to transform and prepare us to live with Him forever, which is what life is all about.
Since Adam and Eve sinned in the garden and our relationship with God was broken, mankind has been given a much more difficult fate. Along with things like the atmosphere and the plant and animal kingdom being altered, our DNA is hindered by imperfections and susceptible to abnormalities and disease.
These weaknesses and places of desperation are not only a reminder to keep focusing on the promises of heaven but a window of opportunity to draw nearer to Him. If you or a loved one is facing a serious illness, there is plenty of discouragement and negativity but at the same time His truth can fill us with peace, joy and hope. Having the right attitude even as we walk through the valley of the shadow of death can change defeat into victory.
Here are a few things that illness cannot do. It cannot stop our love. It cannot keep us out of heaven or hinder our faith. It cannot take away our peace. It cannot erase or ruin our memories. It cannot harness our courage or destroy our confidence. It cannot steal our joy. It cannot conquer our spirit. It cannot keep us from Jesus or distinguish our hope.
In Hebrews chapter 4 and verse 16 we are given this promise, “Let us, therefore, come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.” If we are in Christ today, one way or another we will be healed. Whether in this life or in the next, God’s love and mercy will make us whole.
Today, may you be surrounded by His glorious presence as He ministers His comfort and peace to your mind, body, and soul. Hebrews 10:35-36 says, “Do not throw away your confidence; it will be richly rewarded. You need to persevere so that when you have done the will of God, you will receive what he has promised.” Someone remembers, someone cares as your name is being whispered in someone’s prayers.
To receive the free CD “Keeper of my soul” with scriptures related to healing, peace, faith, and encouragement visit: billyhollandministries.com

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