The Ups and Downs of Health

Good health is a wonderful blessing, whereas disease robs us of freedom to expect good things to come our way in the future. William Byrd wrote, “I have good health, good thoughts, and good humor, thanks be to God Almighty.” An ancient proverb states, “He who has health has hope, and he who has hope has freedom."

Our tendency is to think of good health as something we deserve, forgetting that everything that has life will eventually fall victim to disease. Hippocrates, the father of medicine warned, “A wise man should consider health as a great human blessing and learn how to derive benefit from his illnesses."

Experiencing healing should build faith in God’s plan and purpose for you although disease will remind you how fragile your health can be. Disease makes crystal clear how short a timeframe you have to take advantage of opportunities God has given you. God gives you faith so you can rejoice and be glad that he cares for you.      

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Everything on earth has its own time and its own season.

~Ecclesiastes 3:1 Contemporary English Version

 

My prayer for you, my very dear friend, is that you may be as healthy and prosperous in every way as you are in soul.

~3 John 2 Phillips – New Testament in Modern English

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The 'Inner' Doctor

Medical doctors are aware of patients who refuse to participate in recovering from a serious illness. Entrusting yourself into the care of doctors by following their supervision requires faith and trust. Louis Birch wrote, “Illnesses change us by making us consider our past and future. Illnesses give us a chance for health and life itself.”

Ralph Beicher, a Swiss physician, discovered that treatment is a cooperative effort of the doctor, patient, and the ‘inner’ doctor. The ‘inner’ doctor sets off an alarm when something is wrong and seeks ways to get treatment. The determination to recover releases the mind, body, and spirit to work against a disease.

This happened to a woman Jesus healed from an incurable bleeding condition. Imagine her attitude toward life and the opportunities that were available to her once she was restored to health. Jesus told her, “Your faith made it possible for you to be healed.” God gave her a second chance for life and happiness.                 

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I pray that from his glorious, unlimited resources, [the Father] will empower you with inner strength through his Spirit. Then Christ will make his home in your hearts as you trust in him. Your roots will grow down into God’s love and keep you strong.

~Ephesians 3:16-17 New Living Translation

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Faith in Action

Good health is a treasured possession, yet it can be intentionally neglected. Some individuals make their health a priority only after years of negligence. To be healthy, wealthy, and wise may be out of bounds for most people, but there are those who would give all their wealth to be healthy again.

While faith may not be a deterrent to illness, it can be a factor in recovery. Luke 8:43 begins a story concerning a woman who had been hemorrhaging for twelve years. She believed by touching the hem of Jesus’ garment she could be healed. Jesus responded with, “Daughter, your faith has healed you. Go in peace.”

What a wonderful gift to be healed! Faith moved this woman to do something she believed would restore her to health. For her to touch Jesus was a display of faith in action. Are you in a position to step out in faith and trust others to help you? Faith in Christ Jesus can make possibilities a reality.                                 

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Jesus replied [to the boy’s father], “…Anything is possible for someone who has faith!”

~Mark 9:23 Contemporary English Version

 

Jesus asked, “What do you want me to do for you?” The blind man answered, “Master, I want to see!” Jesus told him, “You may go. Your eyes are healed because of your faith.” Right away the man could see, and he went down the road with Jesus.

~Mark 10:51-52 Contemporary English Version

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Hallmarks of Faith

Faith gives life vibrancy like nothing mankind is capable of manufacturing! In fact, faith is indispensable for contending with life’s challenges and grasping opportunities that come to those who venture out to seize what God makes available. God gives each receptive individual faith that can endure whatever life presents.

Where there is struggle and temptation, faith provides a defense as well as an escape from each situation. Where sin abounds God's grace abounds even more. He unleashes his mercy, protection, and provision, which give faith endurance. God’s wisdom is available to those who seek to live within its power.

Faith cannot be separated from God’s undeserved favor and compassion, his grace, which is an attribute of God by which we receive his kindness and mercy. Faith produces compassion that reflects the values God wants his followers to demonstrate to others. Compassion and kindness are the hallmarks of faith.          

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If you believe that Jesus is the Christ – that he is God’s Son and your Savior – then you are a child of God. And all who love the Father love his children, too. So you can find our how much you love God’s children – your brothers and sisters in the Lord – by how much you love and obey God.

~1 John 5:1-2 The Living Bible 

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The Work of Faith

Faith may be difficult to define, but when it has the freedom to be active, it’s difficult to deny its existence. A distinctive attribute of faith is that it cannot be defeated by evil’s attempt to nullify God’s purpose for you. Faith does not deny the challenge each day may present, but faith listens to the Holy Spirit for wisdom and guidance for staying true and loyal to Christ Jesus.

An essential attribute of faith is its readiness to acknowledge evil’s existence and its influence that each believer must face. Jesus recognized these powerful forces as he ministered to those before him each day.

Faith builds a bridge to the realities and complexities that comprise our character that God desires to redeem. Faith builds confidence in God's word that gives us strength to face whatever struggles come our way. Faith helps us trust in the presence of Christ Jesus to direct our pathway. So always cherish your faith as a valuable treasure.  

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Remembering before our God and Father your work of faith and labor of love and steadfastness of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ.

~1 Thessalonians 1:3 English Standard Version

Be alert, stand firm in the faith, be brave, be strong. Do all your work in love.

~2 Corinthians 16:13-14 Good News Bible

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Activating and Exercising Our Faith

 A shield is designed to protect us from an obvious enemy or something elusive and indefinable. The apostle Paul instructs us to put on the shield of faith to protect against the fiery darts of Satan, who will steal the joy and commitment that binds us to Christ.

Faith fuels determination to stand against all that would attack your faith. Pope John Paul II underlined the seriousness faith plays in the Christian’s life. "How can we profess faith in God and then refuse to let it inspire our thinking, our responsibilities to one another as well as guard against self-centeredness?"

The Holy Spirit inspires us to keep our faith active by being alert for opportunities to use it not only as a guard against evil but as a witness to the presence of Christ in our life. For faith to be strong it’s necessary for it to be exercised daily. By declaring our faith in the Lord Jesus Christ and living by that faith, it grows in personal strength and influence on others.                       

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In conclusion, be strong – not in yourselves but in the Lord, in the power of his boundless strength. Put on God’s complete armor so that you can successfully resist all the devil’s craftiness…Therefore you must wear the whole armor of God that you may be able to resist evil in its day of power…Above all be sure you take faith as your shield, for it can quench every burning missile the enemy hurls at you.

~Ephesians 6:10-16 Phillips – New Testament in Modern English

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The Good Fight of Faith

Faith in one sense is like the wind. You can't see it, but you can witness its force and power. Faith can be like a gentle breeze, or it can be a power force that succeeds over what appears impossible. Sir William Osler wrote, "Nothing is more wonderful than faith, for it is the one great moving force which we can neither weigh in the balance nor evaluate in the test tube."

The apostle Paul urged Timothy to fight the good fight of faith, for there are times when we must fight for truth and what is right. It's a daunting responsibility to keep faith healthy, vibrant, and active, for challenges must be acknowledged and confronted.

Paul encourages us to pursue righteousness and godliness, for an assessment of our faith is in order to determine how we’re functioning. If there is a lapse in faith caused by distractions, then a course correction is necessary. As you pursue a revitalization or reawakening of your faith, God will reward your efforts.  

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But you are a [follower] of God; so run from all these evil things. Pursue righteousness and a godly life, along with faith, love, perseverance, and gentleness. Fight the good fight for the true faith.  Hold tightly to the eternal life to which God has called you, which you have declared so well before many witnesses.

~1 Timothy 6:11-12 New Living Translation 

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Fueling the Fire of Conviction

Convictions play a significant role in every aspect of life. Criminals will tell you they have the right to violate the law. On the other hand, people who pursue peace and friendship also are motivated by convictions. Faith and convictions are close allies. The Apostle Paul reminds us, “We are God's workmanship created in Christ Jesus to do good works.”

The problem may be that it’s difficult to be available or even to imagine God preparing good works for us to do. Faith needs conviction to make us available to God. Conviction is like a fire burning in the heart and mind to produce energy to move us into action. Faith keeps that fire burning. 

Paul was convinced that salvation depends on faith in Christ Jesus,  and that salvation is available to everyone. It was his faith that kept him determined to finish God’s work. Why not, in faith, open your heart and mind completely to Christ you so you can be available to what God has revealed for you to do with your life?

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Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen.

~Hebrews 11:1 English Standard Version

 

Because of this faith, I now remind you to stir up that inner fire which God gave you.

~2 Timothy 1:6 Phillips – New Testament in Modern English

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Faith Gives Assurance and Hope

 Life periodically becomes a struggle after merging with another person to create a marriage, family, or friendship. Conflict is inescapable as differences in personalities clash for dominance and authority. Yet most believers have faith that their relationship can endure any hardship caused by these differences.

Faith is the backbone of trust, for it provides hope for whatever the future presents. Before going to Washington, President-elect Abraham Lincoln told friends in Springfield, Illinois, “I am trusting in God who goes with me and who remains with you, so let us then confidently hope that all will yet remain well." Faith and trust gave Lincoln the assurance to fulfill his destiny to change America forever.

God's word in Ephesians reminds us that faith is a gift from God created in Christ Jesus for good works and he will reward those who earnestly seek him. Your faith is strengthened as you make good use of these rewards.                         

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Now God has us where he wants us, with all the time in this world and the next to shower grace and kindness upon us in Christ Jesus. Saving is all his idea, and all his work. All we do is trust him enough to let him do it. It’s God’s gift from start to finish!  

~Ephesians 2:7-8 The Message

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Restoring a Breach of Faith

Faith has been compared to a star that shows its brightness in the darkest night. Faith builds a bridge to commitment which enforces the determination to serve Christ Jesus. It’s a sad day when a person believes they’ve lost their faith or have willingly cast it aside to go their own way.

The Bible speaks of violating faith, as Moses did by striking a rock in anger instead of speaking to it so water could flow for the people. Any act of disobedience is a breach of faith. However, through confession and repentance, faith can be restored. God offers forgiveness and hope to those who turn back to him.

Listen to Isaiah 1:18. "Come now, let us reason together says the Lord. Though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be white as snow; though they are red like crimson, they shall be as wool." By focusing on God's word to direct us to Christ Jesus, we receive strength and courage as well as faith to make the commitment.                       

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Our God, no one is like you…you freely forgive our sin and guilt. You don’t stay angry forever; you’re glad to have pity and pleased to be merciful. You will trample on our sins and throw them in the sea. You will keep your word and be faithful.

~Micah 7:18-20 Contemporary English Version

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Let Your Faith Blossom

Faith is difficult to measure in real terms although it’s not a matter of how much faith one possesses, but of how active it’s expressed in each area of life. Jesus noted that faith the size of a mustard seed has the power to move mountains. Ronald Reagan came to Washington with that kind of faith and ended the cold war.

Faith should be thought of as growing and never reaching its peak. Faith is forever reaching onward to what God has in store for those who love and serve Him. Abraham believed God and by faith set out to discover what God promised was his destiny.

Listen to the Apostle Paul’s testimony. “I consider everything a loss compared to the surpassing greatness of knowing Christ Jesus for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them as worthless so that I may gain Christ and be found in him.” Give your faith a chance to grow and blossom by discarding every obstruction that holds you back.  

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Abraham never doubted. He believed God, for his faith and trust grew ever stronger, and he praised God for his blessing even before it happened. He was completely sure that God was able to do anything that he promised. And because of Abraham’s faith, God forgave his sins and declared him “not guilty.”

~Romans 4:20-22 The Living Bible

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The Powerful Force of Faith

In the farming community where I grew up, I attended a Baptist church where hymns of faith were favored by the worshipers. Faith, like hope, is a power force directed inward toward oneself and outward to God. Salvation and forgiveness are received through faith, made possible by God's unconditional love.

Faith encourages believers to reach for their highest achievement. It includes trusting in God’s deliverance from sin. Faith is an action-oriented virtue calling for the highest moral behavior. A familiar hymn expresses the resounding theme that faith is the victory that overcomes every temptation you face.

Faith is acquired by trusting in Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord. It is the anchor that grips the solid rock Jesus represents. Actually, faith is a gift from God to each believer, and it binds us to him and all the resources at his command. Faith keeps you anchored to God regardless of life's ups and downs.                            

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Every child of God can defeat the world, and our faith is what gives us this victory. No one can defeat the world without having faith in Jesus as the Son of God.

~1 John 5:4-5 Contemporary English Version

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In Times of Need – God's Grace

What is perceived as an absolute need deserves more concern than what is wanted to make life more enjoyable. As a teenager my niece aspired to be a hospital pharmacist. Like most college students, she needed encouragement as she struggled with a difficult curriculum, but with self-discipline she completed the degree requirements.

God intended for our needs to be satisfied independently and by others. Our needs for intimacy and companionship can be realized only in healthy relationships. If needs transform into demands, resentment may evolve into exasperation and alienate the one attempting to fulfill those demands.

Unmet need may evolve into discontent and sadness. However, God promises to meet your needs, but not just what you want. Hebrews 4:16 is encouraging. “Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need."  This invitation is to trust God for all your needs.  

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The Lord is righteous in all he does, merciful in all his acts. He is near to those who call to him, who call to him with sincerity. He supplies the needs of those who honor him; he hears their cries and saves them.

~Psalm 145:17-19 Good News Bible

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