HEALTHY, WEALTHY & WISE?

Healthy, Wealthy and Wise?

A dear friend in Jamaica passed after a long illness. Her family’s suffering makes me wonder: Why did God not heal her?Why must those redeemed by Christ endure pain and hardship?

Some say healing is ours to claim as God’s children. Consider this:

“Jesus accomplished your healing on the cross—your wholeness, deliverance, victory—all available through faith, just like salvation.”

Sounds powerful, right? If God is all-powerful and loving, why wouldn’t He deliver us from sickness and poverty?

Another friend believed this fully. When cancer struck, she claimed healing with unwavering faith—yet it didn’t come. Doubt crept in: Can God really be trusted?

These questions pierce to God’s very nature—His faithfulness, power, love, and will. Does the Bible promise a life free from sickness or poverty? Or is God a cosmic vending machine, dispensing blessings when we put in “faith coins”?

Just like a broken vending machine drives people away, many turn from God when they misunderstand Him through false teachings.

Though God could heal everyone instantly—His power is infinite—He chooses what’s best for each child, for His glory, not based on our faith or obedience alone.

• Peter was miraculously freed from prison while James was killed (Acts 12).
• Paul, full of faith, endured countless sufferings (2 Cor. 11:23-30).
• Stephen, filled with the Spirit, was murdered (Acts 7:54-59).

Salvation does not promise immunity from sickness, depression, or poverty. Yet, in every trial, God’s grace sustains us (2 Cor. 12:9). We live in a groaning world, awaiting Christ’s return when:

• Our bodies will be transformed gloriously (Phil. 3:20-21).
• Death will be swallowed in victory (1 Cor. 15:51-54).
• We will leave behind this “groaning creation” (Rom. 8:18-23).

Meanwhile, we are strengthened daily:

“Though our outer self is wasting away, our inner self is being renewed day by day.” (2 Cor. 4:16)

Paul urged believers to persevere:

“Through many tribulations we must enter the kingdom of God.” (Acts 14:22)

– G. Steidl