Choosing The Messiness

Elisha sent a messenger to say to [Naaman], “Go, wash yourself seven times in the Jordan, and your flesh will be restored and you will be cleansed.”

2 Kings 5:10

As you know by now, healing is a step-by-step, day-by-day process. It may not happen overnight, but it can come in unexpected ways.

The Bible tells of Naaman, a valiant army captain who was stricken with leprosy and wanted to be healed (2 Kings 5:1–19). When he learned about Israel’s prophet Elisha and his connection to God, Naaman—with his chariots and his horses—stopped at Elisha’s house. Instead of seeing him personally, Elisha sent a messenger to Naaman with instructions: “Wash yourself seven times in the Jordan.”

Naaman became angry. He had expected the prophet to wave his hand, invoke the name of the Lord—anything that brought instant healing. Not to be told to go into the muddy Jordan River seven times!

Naaman’s healing was a messy, muddy process—just like it is for us. And like Naaman, we have to choose to heal and choose to trust that if we do what God, the Great Physician, asks, we will be made whole. We have to accept that healing is almost always messy—mentally, emotionally, and spiritually. But even in our mess, He is always gentle with us as we experience healing, growth, strength, and wholeness.

Lord, no matter how messy the journey is, I move forward to receive healing. I want to be whole—spirit, soul, and body.