What Is God’s Will for Healing?

I was recently complaining about an ailment, more specifically, something that women in their later years have to suffer through.  My friend’s response was, “Oh, you don’t have to go through that!”  I wasn’t entirely sure what she meant.  I was going through it!  What did she mean that I don’t have to go through it?

We began to have a deep discussion about healing, faith and what God allows to happen in our lives.  While my “ailment” is nothing in comparison to what others are suffering, it raised the question about God’s will for healing.  Is sickness part of His plan for our lives?  I don’t necessarily believe that it is but I do believe that He can use sickness for His glory.

Our discussion quickly turned into a disagreement; nothing heated but it was clear we had our strong opinions.  One of the sore subjects brought up was a friend of mine who died a year ago.  She was a beautiful woman in her early 40s, a wife and mother of four young children.  She was sick with cancer for several years, before it finally took her life.  There were many who questioned why God would allow it to happen.

I guess I am starting to learn to not question God.  There are some things for which there is no explanation.  The problem is that so often we aren’t willing to settle for that.  We want answers and we want explanations.  We want to gain a human understanding for something which may be so deeply spiritual. 

Do I think God wants us to be sick?  No.  Does He allow it to happen?  I believe everything is filtered through His hands.  I also believe that some sickness is brought on by a failure to take care of the body.  Some sickness is genetic.  Some sickness just has no explanation. 

If we had all the answers now there wouldn’t be much need for God.  I believe He keeps many things a mystery from us.  Whether you believe that all healing is not of God or you believe that God can use all sickness…the reality is that none of us fully know.  We know only so much.  1 Corinthians 13:12 “Now we see but a poor reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known.”