We often think of healing as the complete removal of physical illness or injury. However, in the Scriptures, healing encompasses the restoration of physical, mental, and spiritual well-being, encompassing everything that makes us human.
Physical healing is the restoration of the different parts of our bodies to normal functioning. It involves recovering from diseases that cause us pain and suffering. There are many Bible stories recounting instances of people being healed from various diseases and disabilities, with 51 cases in the New Testament and 21 in the Old Testament.
The Bible also has a great deal to say about mental health. We find an example of depression in Elijah when he ran away from Jezebel, or the anxiety in Martha when she was overwhelmed by hosting her guests, and of mental distress in David, who was burdened with the responsibilities of leadership and constant threats from his enemies.
Beyond healing the body and the heart, the Bible points to an even deeper need: spiritual healing. This gift, which comes through Christ, is mentioned in Isaiah 53, where it says, “But he was pierced for our rebellion, crushed for our sins. He was beaten so we could be whole. He was whipped so we could be healed.
The Bible contains many promises for the restoration of health, physical, mental, and spiritual.
- If you are struggling with sickness, know that “The Lord nurses them when they are sick and restores them to health.” (Psalms 41:3).
- If your heart is broken, you can be comforted that “the Lord is close to the broken-hearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit” (Psalms 34).
- And if you are struggling with regret and guilt, you can praise the Lord “who forgives all your sins and heals all your diseases, who redeems your life from the pit and crowns you with love and compassion,” Psalm 103:2-4
God wants you to find healing. Having a mystery disease, an ongoing struggle with cancer, mental health struggles or a long-term disability is never easy. And God understands that. He is there to walk with you, encourage you, and strengthen you. And he works through many different avenues for healing.
PLEASE NOTE: First and foremost, God gives us His promises to encourage our hearts. But He also gives us wisdom to seek out the right kind of care and live out simple principles for a healthy lifestyle. The promises of healing in the Bible don’t take away the necessity for seeking medical help or professional therapy. God often works through professionals who possess the skills to meet our specific needs. He employs various means to bring us healing, so seeking help is not a sign of a lack of faith.