Restoration and Healing

TELL GOD WHERE IT HURTS . . .

“For I will restore health unto thee, and I will heal thee of thy wounds, saith the Lord;…” Jeremiah 30:17

In Jeremiah 30:17, God extends the promise of restoration and healing to those who are in need. Notice with me, in the verse, the concept of being restored is distinguished from being healed.  I propose that one can be restored and not healed as well as healed and not restored. 

Restoration can happen quickly whereas healing involves a process. In the story of the prodigal son, when the son returned home, even though he was willing to accept the status of a servant, he was immediately restored to his rightful place as a son rather than a servant. The restoration occurred immediately after his confession of hi wrongdoing to his father. Like the father in the parable, when we confess our sins, God separates our transgressions from us as far as the east is from the west (Psalm 103:10-12). He allows us to be restored into fellowship with Him once again. Even though as believers we remain in relationship at all times, the practice of sin hinders the fellowship with God, our heavenly Father. However, the necessary healing needed as a result of being being separated spiritually may require time particularly if there’s a battle with guilt and forgiving oneself. Although restoration can be implied as something intended for the inner man, the impact of the occurrence flows outward into inward. While healing takes place internally and over time is expressed externally. For instance, after taking medicine, the effects of the medicine begin to take place inside of the physical body before the signs of improvement are revealed visibly. Psychologically as well as spiritually, an inner resolution to be made whole ignites the healing process. Although even in an age of advance medical technology, a person’s will to live reigns strongly in circumstances some refer to as miracles. The phenomenon of healing requires us to desire it and to go after it. In John 5:6, Jesus asks the question will though be made whole. The question implies we can choose healing or continue in the state of where hurt diminishes us. The man was cripple for thirty years, it’s almost impossible to believe one will choose to live in pain for such a long time. Unfortunately, the  choice not to be healed is more common than we may thing, particularly, in regards to spiritual healing. Many have chosen to illness over wholeness  which is found in relationship with God. Like the man in John 5, many have made the choice to only exist in close proximity of the healing rather than to obtain it.

“When Jesus saw him lying there, and knew that he already had been in that condition a long time, He said to him, “Do you want to be made well?”” John 5:6

Restoration without healing never quietens the hurt, seek God for both, the complete package.”_ASA