BIG IDEA
God wants to heal our emotions, our minds, and our bodies. He also wants to use us to bring healing to our world.
READING
James 5:13–20
THOUGHTS
Broken
As we have already discovered, when we walk away from God (life’s source), we embrace different levels of death. This turning away from God is called sin. As a result, we experience broken- ness in our society. Sin affects our physical bodies and our souls— the way we think, our emotions, and our desires (Ps. 51; Isa. 53:6; Rom. 6:23).
Re-creation
God is re-creating our world and removing sin and death. We are promised a future with new physical bodies unaffected by sickness and disease (Rev. 22).
Healing
We can receive a measure of healing as we wait for the ultimate process of full healing. The Spirit in us can bring a measure of that future reality for us to experience today (Mark 16:17–18).
Physical Healing
While our bodies will ultimately die, we can ask God to temporarily reverse the process of decay (pain and death) in our bodies. Jesus healed many people during His ministry. He encouraged his disciples to heal the sick and seek God for healing (Mark 16:15–18).
Are any of you sick? You should call for the elders of the church to come and pray over you, anointing you with oil in the name of the Lord. Such a prayer offered in faith will heal the sick, and the Lord will make you well. And if you have committed any sins, you will be forgiven. James 5:14–15
Healing of the Mind
As we are open to seeing God’s truth replace lies, we will come to believe and will experience personal freedom. This becomes a daily habit that slowly transforms us. What did you once find to be true that you now know to be false? What other beliefs about God, yourself, or others do you think will be challenged?
Don’t copy the behaviour and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Rom. 12:1–2
Healing of Our Emotions
As we invite the Spirit to heal past hurts, help us to forgive offenders, and release bitterness, we can find emotional freedom. What areas of past hurt do you need God to work on in your life (Matt. 18:21–35; Heb. 12:15)?
He heals the brokenhearted and bandages their wounds. Ps. 147:3
Challenges
As we grow in our relationship with Jesus, read the Bible, pray, and allow Him to heal our mind and emotions, we will be better able to face challenges. Because healing is gradual, we grow stronger each day. We cannot get discouraged if we fail but must continually ask God to help us with whatever we face (Deut. 7:22; Gal. 5:17–24; Eph. 6:10–18; 1 John 2:1–17).
The temptations in your life are no different from what others experience. And God is faithful. He will not allow the tempta- tion to be more than you can stand. When you are tempted, he will show you a way out so that you can endure. 1 Cor. 10:13
The World
God can use us as agents of healing in our world. We can make a difference in our relationships, in our community, and through our vocation. We can invite people to let God work in their own lives and use our influence to see kingdom ideas take shape (2 Cor. 5:11–21; Col. 3:17).
DISCUSSION
- Describe the brokenness that you see in the world.
- What areas of your life do you need God to bring healing to?
- How might God want to use you to bring healing to the world through your vocation?