Healing.

Delight yourself in the LORD and he will give you the desires of your heart. Psalm 37:4

For many years I have asked God to heal me.  Now you may be surprised at that, but when I was a young teenager we discovered that I had a twisted spine.  The label the medical community puts on it is scoliosis...  For the most part it never really hindered me from doing what I wanted.  But, as time marches on, I have had to battle the effects of imbalanced muscles caused from the curve.  I have been through seasons of migraines, muscle spasms and chronic pain and each time God has healed me ... but not when I wanted Him to.

I have examined this from many angles, but today I was listening to someone that I admire greatly and who has much to say about this subject of healing.  Her name is Joni Eareckson Tada and she is a quadriplegic (she has a new audio-book that is being released and you can download the 1st hour of it free at https://christianaudio.com). Joni said something that surprised me, but that I can totally relate to.  She quoted Psalm 37:4 and said that as much as she desires to be free from the wheelchair and the present pain, she has a greater desire to know God & to grow in Him.  Joni is allowing God to work good in her despite (or is it, 'to spite') what the enemy has thrown her way.

My heart totally concurs.  I started to recall all of the times that I went up for prayer, with absolute faith to be healed (and each time in response to God's prompting for me to do so, I might add).  I have continually come away from each of those experiences with God answering a deeper need, a greater need every time.  My back is still curved.  He eventually healed me from the migraines & spasms.  But again, my back is still curved.

My greatest quest in life is not to have a straight back, although I won't argue if it comes.  My greatest quest is to know God's peace, to really trust Him, to have His mind, to be so intertwined with His presence that I am truly one with Him.  My 2nd greatest desire would be to reflect & wear Him well to my family... and to you.

I'll stop here.  If you are in a hard place, trust God to deliver you.  If He does not alleviate your physical circumstances, trust Him.  Do not let the enemy gain control of your mind & your spirit. 

• Take charge (guard) of your heart PROVERBS 4:23. 
• Submit to God and rebuke the enemy JAMES 4:7.
• Delight yourself in the Lord.  Worship Him.  Trust Him.  He will give you the desires and secret petitions of your heart.  He loves you. LAMENTATIONS 3:22-24
  
• Allow Him to work His purposes out in your life. PSALM 57:2
  

I am praying for you.