April 24 The Woman with the Issue of Blood: Reaching for Healing

 Theme: Having Faith to Reach Out to Jesus for Healing

Dionne Clarke Berea SDA Church

Life's storms can be relentless, seeking to overwhelm us. They can make us feel out of control and try to hinder God’s purpose, plans, and blessings for our lives. These physical, emotional, or spiritual challenges can aim to discourage us. However, on the flip side, these storms can also serve as spiritual battles to strengthen our faith and deepen our relationship with God.

For years, I unknowingly suffered from menopausal symptoms that severely affected my mind. It was a constant struggle to stay sane. Confused and unsure of what was happening, I sought medical advice but received varying diagnoses, with no relief in sight.

One early morning, I woke up in a panic, my mind seemingly turning against me. It felt like I was on the verge of a complete mental breakdown. Desperate, I grabbed my hymnal and started singing, as I had done before, but it wasn’t enough this time. I cried out to God, asking if He had really brought me to this place for me to lose my mind.

I then opened my Bible, and my eyes were drawn to Mark 5:36:

“Be not afraid, only believe.”

At first, I was puzzled, but then the Holy Spirit led me to the left page—Mark 4:39-40:

“And he arose, and rebuked the wind, and said unto the sea, Peace, be still. And the wind ceased, and there was a great calm. And he said unto them, Why are ye so fearful? How is it that ye have no faith?”

At that moment, I was instantly healed. My mind became clear, and it felt as though a great weight had been lifted off my shoulders. God opened my spiritual eyes, and I jumped up, exclaiming, “God, is this what You have been trying to tell me all along? To have faith?”

God is sovereign. Everything that happens in our lives is either allowed or orchestrated by Him for a greater purpose—whether for our growth or to impact others. When we grasp this truth, we can let go of our desire for control, embrace faith, and fully trust in Him.

The Spirit (God’s Word) must feed our souls. Our human understanding has the facts, but true wisdom comes from the Word of God.

God often tries to get our attention in various ways. He was speaking to me, but I wasn’t listening. Healing was available, yet I wasn’t attuned to His voice. The Bible holds the solution to every problem we face, but without studying it and maintaining a connection with God, faith cannot grow.

Key Principles to Strengthen Our Faith:

1.    Stay in contact with God. If we don’t pray, we disconnect from Him. God has already declared our answer, but we must actively seek Him.

2.    Pray with expectation. Trust that God will answer. Pray and be ready to receive by faith what He has already planned. Thank Him in advance.

3.    Shift from asking to praising. Once we’ve made our request known to God, we don’t need to keep repeating it. Instead, spend more time thanking and praising Him.

 4.    Recognize God as the ultimate source. Everything and everyone else are merely resources. Keep your focus on Him.

5.    Focus on God, not the crisis. Worship and praise Him, making Him the priority in your life.

6.    Spiritual healing precedes emotional and physical healing. When we address the spiritual, the emotional and physical will follow.

7.    Build a strong spiritual foundation. As Christian women, our relationship with God should be the core of our lives. A fortified mind strengthens us for the battles we face.

The woman with the issue of blood suffered for twelve years before she touched the hem of Jesus' garment and was healed. Can you relate? Have you suffered for years, perhaps one, two, or even more? Many of us have walked that road, reaching out in faith just as she did. If you are still in your struggle, hold on to God. Keep searching His Word, keep fasting, and keep praying.

Prayer:

Dear Sovereign God, open our spiritual eyes so we may see and do Your will. Help us to pray with faith, believing that You will fulfill Your promises. Remind us that You alone are our source, and if we pray in alignment with Your Word and Your will, You will accomplish what we cannot do for ourselves. Amen!