Your Faith Has Healed You

Day 3: Luke 8:48

In the United States 25% of adults have at least two chronic conditions. Chronic diseases constitute a major cause of mortality, with the World Health Organization (WHO) attributing 38 million deaths a year to non-communicable diseases per Wikipedia. In Hope Prevails: Insights from a Doctor’s Personal Journey through Depression, Dr. Michelle Bengtson shares on page 27 that 18.8 million American adults suffer from a depressive disorder, and at some point in their lives, about one of four Americans will experience depression. She says that at least 350 million people globally live with depression.

I think feelings of depression would overwhelm me because can you imagine life of our friend in the New Testament. Do you think she felt rejected, unloved, unwanted, and she was ill.  She was bleeding for twelve years now. The law required her separation as one reads in Leviticus 15:19-33.  I AM UNCLEAN! I want to name her Ava. Ava heard Jesus is in town. Is He the answer the her problem? She had been to many doctors and we read in Luke 8:43 she had spent all her livelihood and could not be healed .  Her struggle an age-old problem, she isn’t suppose to be around people because of the bleeding, she is unclean. But, she is desperate, she is bold in her faith. In verse 44, she came from behind and touched the border of His garment. And immediately, her flow of blood stopped.

Verse 45, And Jesus said, “Who touched me?”

Can you imagine with me for a minute the eyes of Jesus scanning the crowd? He is God. He knows. Ava feels the miracle in her body, trembling she knows she can not remain hidden. Falling down in front of Jesus, she declares to Him that she touched him and felt healing immediately.

Jesus said,”Daughter, be of good cheer, your faith has made you well, Go in peace.” Luke 8:48

Just as Ava received healing Jesus offers help and hope to those of us who suffer with chronic illness, and depression. He is here for us. We can run to him. Isaiah 40:31 is a great promise,”but those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.”

Beloved, are you suffering with chronic illness of depression? Will you turn to Jesus like Ava did?

Life Lessons: Faith that Jesus will heal us.

Song: He Touched Me

Father God, For those of us suffering from chronic illness and depression, be with us today Lord. Give us a fresh touch and perspective. Renew us and revive us. Give us relief from the pain. Daily Lord, we come to you not really understanding the reason we must endure the pain from migraines, osteoarthritis, lumbago, the pain from depression, being rejected yet again. Emotional pain and fear threatens to overwhelm us and yet we whisper that you did not give us a spirit of fear but of love power and sound mind. Lift us up out of the pit and let us hear, “Daughter your faith has healed you, go in peace”. In Jesus’ name. Amen.