Healing is one of the most difficult things for me to talk about as a pastor. I think my discomfort traces back to a seminary class I had on able-ism or discriminating against those who are differently- abled. For this particular class we had discussion groups that met afterwards, and my discussion group got into a heated discussion about whether people who were different in some way or another needed to be healed.
I have several friends who others would label as disabled, but that is not how they would describe themselves at all. Instead, they have embraced what has made them different and often say that it is exactly through that trait that God is using them to bring God honor and glory.
I think sometimes we get too caught up in the idea that the only way for God to be glorified is for healing on our terms, but is that true when we examine our lives? Or can God's glory the ultimate goal not the healing itself? Pastor Mark Batterson in his book the Grave Robber states that Sometimes you need to hold out for a miracle and sometimes you need to accept the new normal - recognizing that this is an opportunity to glorify God. Jesus doesn't define our ability to glorify God on our terms. While, yes, in this particular chapter of the book of John the man born blind from birth is healed, in the end that was to bring God glory. Let us seek out ways each and every day to glorify God, traditional healing or not.
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