He makes the whole body fit together perfectly. As each part does its own special work, it helps the other parts grow, so that the whole body is healthy and growing and full of love. Ephesians 4:16
Not Fitting Together
My body was not fitting together perfectly. Spasms were gripping my back more and more frequently. The pain increased and I got to the stage where I couldn’t walk when a spasm came on, but froze in place, instead. The torment was so intense that when I made it into bed, I didn’t want to eat or drink, for fear of having to make my way out of bed to the bathroom.
No Remedy
The doctor I consulted showed me an x-ray of what looked like a healthy back and said that my injury must be a fracture inside the spine. He would not be able to find it or alleviate the spasms. He prescribed pain killers that lulled me to sleep, but barely took the edge off the pain, when I was awake. People prayed for my healing, but when that did not seem to be the way of God, I told God that I would settle for walking when he allowed it, and lying down when he did not.
When Healing Came
One day, I was sitting at the back of the room, in a class on prayer. Our leader invited us to read Psalm 23 and ask God how he would have us pray through it. I chuckled when I got to the second verse of the Psalm, about God making me lie down in green pastures.
When our prayer leader asked what I heard from God through the Psalm, I surprised myself with a flood of tears. Our sweet leader placed her hand on my back and said a simple prayer that I can’t remember. Probably because I was distracted by the fire that leapt up my spine as she prayed. I was miraculously healed in that moment! That was 20 years ago, and I am still spasm-free.
I don’t have the insight to understand why and when God heals, but I know experientially that he still does. And I know what it feels like when parts of the body don’t work together, and the difference it makes when they do. With good intentions, my back muscles were racing in to stabilize what they perceived to be a weakness in my spine. But they seemed to do more damage than good, in their zeal to help.
The Body of Christ
In the body of Christ, we can also help or hinder. God calls us to help. As I read Ephesians 4:16, I am reminded that God calls us to fit in with the other parts of his body, so that the whole body is growing and maturing. Growing together in love, we beckon the world to look to Christ, the head of his body, the church.
No one is exempt from the call. There is a place for each of us at every age and stage, in Kingdom churches and ministries. I picture my dear Jamaican friend, Leon, shivering out on the frozen parking lot of our community church, so excited to guide newcomers and regulars to the spiritual and physical warmth awaiting them on the other side of the doors. Why wouldn’t we volunteer, pray, give and encourage one another in Kingdom churches and ministries?
Sometimes it is hurt that keeps us at bay. God knows that, like my spine, we may get squeezed too hard by other well-meaning parts of the body and not feel able to participate. So, he gives us principles for Relationships, like the strong, healing balm of forgiveness, and the concept of boundaries, or reconciliation, to heal our people wounds. We consider these principles in the “R” of the SPIRE.
Healing in the Body of Christ
If you have withdrawn from a faith community, know that the world and the body of Christ still need you desperately. If relational hurt has kept you away, believe with me that God can heal your heart, just as he healed my body. He is the God of wonder.
Your unique function in the body of Christ helps the other parts grow, so that the whole body is healthy and growing and full of love.
The inSPIRE video, Hurt by the Church, continues to be one of our most watched pieces—resonating deeply with those seeking healing in the body of Christ, and with those who don’t yet know Christ. I pray it would minister to you.
(Available when you register for “Featured Videos”)
Jesus For My Pain
Singer-songwriter Cory Asbury prayed for healing from a back problem that has plagued him since he was 21, but he has not been healed … he uses his faith to navigate his condition. He points us to Jesus in his song Only Jesus For My Pain.
5 Responses
The theme is certainly about healing for my ladies group. We listened to the Inspire video of the same testimony. Thank you for the encouragement.
Glad for that encouragement of your group! Here’s the link to the video on healing for anyone else who is checking out your comment: How Does God Heal -https://vimeo.com/1037632919
A number of years ago I had severe pain in my right shoulder. My family doctor referred me to a Bone Specialist who gave me a cortisone injection. After one year of physiotherapy which only made it worse, he sent me for an X-ray which revealed an excessive build-up of calcium. The injection did not help, so I was booked for surgery to remove the excess calcium. One evening I placed my hand on my shoulder and prayed. I said, “In the Name of Jesus and by the Power that raised Him from the dead, be healed!” In that instant, the pain was gone. One week later, I asked the Bone Specialist to take another X-ray as the pain was gone. The X-ray revealed there was no more excessive calcium build-up. The Surgeon asked me what I did. I told him I prayed! He said “I believe you”. Praise God from Whom all Blessings flow! 🙏 ❤️
Praising God with you that your shoulder is pain free! Hoorah. Let’s continue to really pray for healing and invite God to do miracles amongst us.
Wow!! Thanks for sharing.