We are exposed to illness and cancer-causing factors every day. Our environment is literally toxic.
If you research carcinogens in our world the list is endless: flouride in our water, sugar, preservatives, pesticides, plastics, cosmetics, cleaners, etc, etc, etc. The one that always makes me shake my head is that one of the common ingredients in sun blocks is a known carcinogen.
After considering this list, it's more amazing that we ALL don't have cancer. Actually, our body has cancer cells in it right now. The difference between those that "get cancer" and those that don't is our immune system.
God has given us an immune system to protect our health. It's like a wall of protection for our body. When germs, infection and carcinogens enter our body it sends anti-bodies to fight against these and retain our good health. We support our immune system with good nutrition and soul-health.
III John 2 says, "Beloved, I desire that you be in good health and prosper, even as your soul prospers." Not only does God desire to always bless us with healing, He desires that we walk in good health and never need healing! There is a direct correlation between our soul - our mind, will, and emotions - and our health. Negative emotions and sin manifest in our bodies as illness.
A wounded heart will often result in a sick body. When we are discouraged, sad, weary, rejected, angry, holding a grudge, resentful, vengeful, etc it can greatly weaken our immune system and leave us vulnerable to the germs and cancer cells in our bodies. And we become sick.
The first thing I do when I start not feeling well is seek God to see if there is sin in my life. Maybe I was offended yesterday by something someone said, maybe I judged someone, maybe I did not obey God in something He directed me to do. Sin gives the enemy legal license to attack us.
But sometimes I realize that my feelings are hurt (offense), or that I'm discouraged (not resting in God) or I'm exhausted (not following the Holy Spirit). As I repent of these things (change what I am doing) and ask God for forgiveness, I'll often see the sickness disappear immediately or within a few hours. If I clearly realize where I've gone wrong I repent, ask God's forgiveness and then begin to bless my body, rebuke the sickness or headache, and begin to praise God for His healing and seek to receive it. As my soul is healed, my body is healed.
Job was a righteous man that stated, "the thing I have feared has come upon me." 'Fear' was the sin that gave Satan the legal right to attack him. God would have never given His permission for Satan's attack unless there was an open door in Job's life. As Job put his full trust in God, God restores everything to Job in a double portion.
Several months ago I had an opportunity to pray for a lady who had suffered from a degenerative spinal condition for years. She had multiple herniated discs in her back and was in constant pain and limited movement. After talking to her for a few minutes and listening to what was wrong, I placed my hands on her back and prayed as the Holy Spirit directed.
After a few minutes I paused and asked her if there was any change. She answered that her upper back felt good but there was still pain her in lower back. I moved my hands lower (with her permission) and prayed some more. When I finished I asked her to try to do something she'd not been able to do before.
She twisted around, swung her arms and bent down and touched her toes. Her eyes became wide as she looked at me and told me that "nothing hurts!" She moved all around again. I gave glory to God and told her how much God loved her and wanted to her to be whole. She exclaimed and marveled as she left that she was healed. BUT...
Within the next few weeks her condition returned to a lesser degree. I haven't heard but I suspect it may return completely.
I believe that she has a very wounded soul. I sensed bitterness and unforgiveness and many complicated emotions as I lay hands on her. These negative emotions may very well be the cause for her body's deterioration and until she allows the Holy Spirit to soften her heart and bring repentance, she may battle this manifestation.
The Word tells us that 'Jesus bore our illness and our disease and by His stripes, we are healed." (Isaiah 53:4) God has compassion on us and He is not without mercy and love for us and our wounded souls. However, He knows that holding unforgiveness and anger will weaken us and allow sickness to dominate us. In His compassion He sent Jesus to pay the price and provide salvation. The very name "Jesus" mean "He heals/He saves" Salvation and healing are synonymous.
The Bible also tells us that "God sends His Word and He heals us." (Psalm 107:20) The Word of God is healing to our soul and body. When we are battling sickness it is so beneficial to us to spend large amounts of time reading, memorizing and meditating on God's Word.
As we renew our minds in the Word, our soul is healed of hurts and of 'wrong thinking.' Romans 12:2 says, " And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect." The Word teaches us to think like God and to know His will.
"For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war according to the flesh, 4for the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh, but divinely powerful for the destruction of fortresses. 5We are destroying speculations and every lofty thing raised up against the knowledge of God, and we are taking every thought captive to the obedience of Christ,…" 2 Corinthians 10:3,4,5
As we draw near to God, we begin to realize His mercy and love for us and for others. We are able to receive healing for our wounded souls and extended forgiveness to others.
Love and blessings!
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