Faith and Symptoms

Abraham showed the correct way to deal with symptoms.

Without weakening in his faith, he faced the fact that his body was as good as dead--since he was about a hundred years old--and that Sarah's womb was also dead. Yet he did not waver through unbelief regarding the promise of God, but was strengthened in his faith (Rom 4:19,20).

Abraham faced his symptoms squarely. He did not pretend they were not there. He faced the facts, but did not waver through unbelief. His faith was not weakened, but was strengthened by the promise of God. Despite the symptoms declaring his age, he kept on preparing for the birth of a son.

The problem for modern Christians is that we can see the “things that are seen” very clearly. We have scans and X-rays that help us to see tumours and fractures much better than was possible in the past. We have tremendous evidence of the things that are seen and tend to focus on them. We have become accustomed to living in accordance with what we see. We must learn to live in the certainty of the promises of God that are not seen.

Sickness among Christians is not proof that God does not heal. God dealt with my sin on the cross. The fact that we still sin does not imply that God does not save us from sin. It just shows that we are a bit slow to take up the salvation that Jesus had earned for us. The problem is with us, not with the cross. In the same way, the fact that we get sick does not mean that God does not heal. The problem is with us (or our church). We should never let our experience determine our theology. Our theology and our beliefs about healing must be based on what God has said and done.

The church should be honest about its lack of faith. We should not pretend, or go into condemnation, but should look to God for a solution. We can pray for faith (Mark 9:21-24). The Holy Spirit will increase our faith if we ask for it.