When I was diagnosed with Lupus, my husband wrote a song about the healing of the woman with the issue of Blood in Mark 5: “Like the woman with the issue of Blood, we press in, we press in. If only to touch the hem of his garment, I will be washed white as snow.” We fully believe in the power of Christ’s healing touch. We clung tightly to Jesus and waited on his healing power to flow freely within my body. It was a challenge every day, but we acted in faith by holding fast to his promise within this story and throughout Scripture. Nothing is too great or small that God cannot accomplish. But many times, we seek outside or natural sources, first, before touching the hem of Jesus’ garment. Imagine how Jesus must feel when he becomes our last resort. God calls us to press into Jesus and allow his healing power to wash over our being. What kind of people did Jesus’ associate with? Whom did he consider important enough to touch? We witness many of people Jesus’ came to know. Some reached out to him; he reached out to all. Regardless of how young or old, rich or poor, sinner or saint, Jesus loved them all. No one is beyond the loving touch of Jesus.

This woman had been bleeding for twelve years. She had the financial means to call upon every kind of doctor for healing; in fact, she lost all her wealth just to get better, but instead, grew worse. She had heard Jesus was coming to town and thought, “if I could only touch the hem of his garment, I would be made well” (Mark 5:28). What faith? Because of her condition, Jewish law made her unclean, but. Jesus was her only hope. Even though Jesus was her last resort for healing, his power moved by her faith. Her word of faith that is the word of power set Jesus’ healing light into motion. Immediately, her bleeding stopped, and she felt in her body that she was freed from suffering. She was washed white as snow from the twelve years of being enslaved to her sin and suffering and became whole again. She received a new identity that day and was invited by Jesus to become a child of God. Jesus told her, “Daughter, your faith has made you well” (Mark 5:34).

It is only in faith, obedient trust, that one encounter’s God’s healing power of Christ’s resurrection. Faith is both passive and active. It is God’s dynamic force at work in Christ. It releases an activation within our hearts to witness his most precious and powerful healing touch. For example, when we start eating clean foods, exercising, and taking supplements, it releases endorphins and other properties to the brain to help the body feel better and become whole and well. Faith is very similar. Romans 12:3 declares that we have all been given a measure of faith by God, “Instead, be modest in your thinking, and judge yourself according to the amount of faith that God has given you.” Our faith lies dormant within us if we do not take the necessary steps to exercise and appropriate it in our daily lives. How do we do this? Three simple steps:

• Jesus first- not as a last resort or in the middle, he must be your primary concern in all manner of life. No exceptions! You must long to be with him. To share your every need. To rest in his sufficiency by surrendering your self-effort. This is how our faith begins to strengthen. His living character must fill your spirit, emotions, mind, relationships, work, health, and stewardship.
• Words of life-this means the way in which we talk. Death defying words of sarcasm, profanity, negativity, and complaining imprison our faith to remain dormant and stagnant, just like the Dead Sea with no place to flow out. Grace always flows freely. We must speak in childlike tones of life, confidence, and grace-filled ease. We cannot do this on our own, but it is the Holy Spirit who cheers us on and assists us in our weakness amid this great task. The purpose is to strengthen our faith to flow out freely in our lives and to those around us.
• Envision your wholeness- this practice activates the deep loving compassion of Jesus and infuses a courage to stand in awe amid your circumstances and offer grace to yourself and others. When we come to recognize that Jesus’ work has made us whole, it helps us to be ok with however the Lord works and whenever our healing comes to pass. We must see his life and light being poured into our being. Get a picture of your healing and call forth things into existence that do not exist (Romans 4:17).

Reflection:

• Is Jesus your primary concern?
• How can you practice strengthening your faith?

Dear Father,

Thank you for giving us all a measure of faith according to our gifts. Help us to live out this faith in Christ Jesus! We praise you Holy Spirit for your healing power of salvation in Christ! Let us touch the hem of your garment every day!

In Jesus name,

Amen!

Blessings

Dr. Caroline