Ordinary Faith Healing

Ordinary Faith Healing

I have pleaded in prayer for you, Simon, that your faith should not fail. Luke 22:32

When Anthony received a diagnosis of renal cell carcinoma, he called me for advice.

“What do you think about my going to the Mayo Clinic for treatment?” he asked.

“Half the success of any treatment is the patient’s belief that it’s the right plan. If you want to go to the Mayo Clinic, you should go.”

I knew his only real chance for long-term survival was a complete and clean surgical removal of the cancer, and Mayo would do a great job.

A few weeks later, I saw Anthony sitting in his truck with a big grin on his face. “Hey, Dr. Anderson!” he called out. “They got it all. I just wanted you to know.”

“That’s great to hear,” I said.

A year later, Anthony went back for a checkup and found the cancer had returned. The doctors removed three lymph nodes.

“We’ll just keep praying for God’s will,” I said, knowing the news wasn’t good.

“But I need to tell you something else,” he said. One night, around two o’clock in the morning, I woke up and started praying real hard, asking God to heal me. Suddenly, a man and a woman stood at the foot of my bed. They said to me, ‘How do you know you haven’t already been healed?’ And then—I know this is going to sound weird, but—”

“Tell me,” I said. “I’ve experienced a few weird things of my own.”

“As they left, the wall suddenly opened up right next to them, and for about two minutes, I got a glimpse of heaven.”

“What did you see?”

“It was the most beautiful garden with vibrantly colored flowers. I felt as if I could reach out and touch it, but then it was gone.”

“Anthony, that sounds a lot like what I experienced in a dream one time.”

“No matter what happens to this body, my faith has been strengthened, I know I’ve been healed, and I don’t have any more fear.”

“I know what you’re talking about. God gave you a glimpse of home.”

“But, why me?” Anthony asked. “I’m just an ordinary guy. I don’t even know Scripture that well.”

“I don’t know, but I know that the disciples were just ordinary guys until they met Jesus too.”

TODAY’S RX

In his wisdom, God may give you a glimpse of your forever healing.

Thank you for revealing yourself in unexpected ways, Lord. You never fail to astound me by showing me glimpses of your glory. I long to experience more of you.