Healing

We are taught in medical school that healing may come in different ways: physical, emotional, and spiritual (this one is not taught as much). This past week I've learned there is a 4th and more important healing: Eternity with Jesus Christ.

When I applied for medical school three years ago, I was so excited about learning the art of healing. I was so focused on getting in to medical school, learning the material, treating people with medicine and lifestyle changes, and healing them. Then I went to Angola for 5 months and experienced the death of a child in my arms. As I held that child and cried, I realized medicine wasnt a cure-all after all. There were no words that could express my anguish, but even more there are no words to describe the mourning and grieving that went on outside after placing the dead child in the mother's arms. There is absolutely nothing, nothing pretty about the process of death.

This past week, my family and I learned of a Brother in Christ who was diagnosed with lung cancer and was given no more than a few weeks to live. He passed away to be with Jesus a few hours ago. This brother had been our pastor in Chile when I was little, and they had recently in the past few years come to Minnesota following God's call to start a Hispanic outreach ministry there. I was always excited to receive their updates, and God is doing a mighty work there!

In medicine, our professors like to teach us statistics about every disease, risk, ocurrence rate, etc. So, when I am asked to pray for healing, I struggle, because I know the statistics and how medicine works! Yet, I have been reminded time and time again, God is not a God of statistics or human medical knowledge for that matter. He is the God of the universe, HE IS SOVEREIGN.

For this brother, healing did not come while here on earth in the form of physical healing; however, healing has come to him! He is no longer in pain or having trouble breathing. He is united with his Savior, and rejoicing in eternal life! What hope we have in Christ, the worker and perfector of our faith, let us fix our eyes on Him! One of his sons wrote on their blog that one of the things this brother had mentioned was that he wanted to ask Noah how in the world he had been able to fit all those animals into the Ark! Maybe eventually he will do that, but I know that right now he is at the feet of Jesus, worshipping him. What we have to look forward to!

Psalm 73:25-26: "Whom have I in heaven but you? And earth has nothing I desire besides you. My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever. "

It was also so encouraging to see how God united the body to pray for this family. There were literally people from all over the world praying for them. Also, I think everyone's faith in our wonderful and beautiful Savior was affirmed as this family put all their trust in His will and provision. This family showed a peace and strength that is not of this world, one that can only be given by our Father. He is true to His Word to carry us in our sufferings and hardships.

Deuteronomy 31:6: "Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the LORD your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you."