Let us approach God’s throne of grace with an attitude of expectation of blessings. Sometimes we are really tired, indeed worn out and weary because over the past years, we may have experienced many challenges to our faith in the form of loss, pain, unfulfilled expectations, rejection and other failings. This feeling of weariness may be compounded as we observe that some of our acquaintances, friends or relations are being blessed – their dreams and aspirations fulfilled. Their prayers are being answered and our own prayers seem to go unanswered. This watching as others are being blessed while we are waiting for our own blessing can take a toll on our spiritual lives and relationship with God.
In Luke 8:40-58 we read the story about a woman with an issue of blood. She had bled for 12 years. Although she sought treatment for her bleeding, she had found no cure. We may not have experienced an issue of physical bleeding for 12 years, but some of us have been dealing with one issue or the other for a very long time. Some of us may be facing challenges, which have gone unresolved for years. These issues may include financial challenges, drug or alcohol dependence, feelings of loneliness, depression, children with physical or emotional challenges, or some other problem. For example, many of us may be familiar with a couple or couples that have been waiting on the Lord for the fruit of the womb some for as much as 12 years or more. These challenges may not have resulted in physical bleeding but in spiritual bleeding. Like any other type of incessant bleeding, this spiritual “loss of blood” has left us weak, tired, and without the necessary energy to face life and its challenges with faith in God and joy in our hearts.
We must look to the faith of the bleeding woman, challenged physically, financially and spiritually; she had the faith that once she touched the garment of Jesus, her problem will be resolved. She did not let the law governing the unclean person deter her. She was focused on her desire for healing; she knew Christ could heal her. And with that pointedness of purpose she reached out and touched Jesus’ garment. According to the scripture, “immediately her bleeding stopped.”
Whatever challenge we are now facing, wherever we are “bleeding from”, Jesus can deal summarily with the source of our hemorrhaging. He will bring healing and wholeness to our lives. All things are possible to all who believe? Do you agree with this statement? If you do, then you must back up your faith with action because faith without action is dead as St. James tells us. Therefore, in order to resolve our “issues”, we must reach out and touch the hem of Jesus’ garment.
Before the woman with the issue of blood sought out Jesus, she had made up her mind that she needed healing, she believed that Jesus could heal her, however there were obstacles on the way to her healing:
- She had a crowd blocking her from Jesus.
- She also had Leviticus codes, which was very clear that a woman in her
state was in no condition to touch Jesus.
However, she reached beyond all of these barriers, and touched the hem of his garment.
Whatever the challenges or issues we are facing currently in our life, we should not be discouraged; we must not give up on our blessing, our healing, or our deliverance.
We should look to Jesus who is ever ready to direct us on the right path. We should not allow our relations, friends, acquaintances or whosoever, not even our personal hang-ups or feelings of unworthiness to keep us from touching the hem of Jesus’ garment or seeking his face for deliverance.
We read in John 21: 1-6 that Jesus will guide us aright and deal with whatever it is we are battling with.
“At that time, Jesus revealed himself again to his disciples at the Sea of Tiberius.
He revealed himself in this way.
Together were Simon Peter, Thomas called Didymus,
Nathanael from Cana in Galilee, Zebedee’s sons, and two others of his disciples. Simon Peter said to them, “I am going fishing.”
They said to him, “We also will come with you.”
So they went out and got into the boat, but that night they caught nothing.
When it was already dawn, Jesus was standing on the shore;
but the disciples did not realize that it was Jesus.
Jesus said to them, “Children, have you caught anything to eat?”
They answered him, “No.”
So he said to them, “Cast the net over the right side of the boat and you will find something.”
So they cast it, and were not able to pull it in because of the number of fish.”
Yes, Jesus is ready, willing and able to direct your steps and actions so as to resolve all your issues and challenges. He will tell you in which direction to “cast your net” for the desired result.
http://www.pridemagazineng.com/refresh-on-sunday-jesus-will-restore-you-to-wholeness-of-body-and-spirit/
