Matthew 9:20-22 -- On Faith, Patience, and Healing

"And, behold, a woman, which was diseased with an issue of blood twelve years, came behind him, and touched the hem of his garment:
For she said within herself, If I may but touch his garment, I shall be whole.
But Jesus turned him about, and when he saw her, he said, Daughter, be of good comfort; thy faith hath made thee whole. And the woman was made whole from that hour."
Matthew 9:20-22


This woman was amazing. After twelve years dealing with one problem, she still hadn't given up or given in to it and let it run her life. She had hope, and even after all that time, she believed that just touching the hem of Christ's robe would make her whole. And her faith and hope and persistence led her to the place and time that could free her from that burden and challenge. I wonder if we have some of that same strength within us. 

We face long-term challenges as well... things that are hard for us individually, and that we can't seem to overcome. And do we just give up and give in, thinking that is just the way life is, or the way that *we* are? Or can we, like the woman, continue to have hope and faith that God will heal us and free us of our burdens? I don't think it is easy to have that kind of faith and patience. We want our challenges to be over NOW, and if God says "only twelve more years" it's pretty tough to hear... just like when we're little and we ask how long till we're grown up. :) But, just as when we were little, patience and faith can get us through. If we became adults overnight without learning all of the things in between, we might be pretty scary adults. 

And perhaps it is the same with some of our long-term challenges. We might still have things to learn... even if only about patience and hope and faith. Today, let's remember the woman who could still believe after 12 years that she could be freed from her disease of body... and let's have faith and hope in God that we can yet triumph over our obstacles and be healed of our diseases, whether they be physical or otherwise. And let's have the patience to seek out Christ, however long it takes, to receive that healing.