Recently I watched an online church service where the pastor was calling out to those who needed prayer for healing. Soon the altar was filled with hundreds of people. I also joined that altar in faith. In faith, I reached out to my computer screen and joined the throng of seekers desperately seeking healing.
Are you currently reaching out to God for healing while enduring health challenges?
The Lord Jesus’ ministry on earth was marked by healing. For more than three years, Jesus approached healing not as an afterthought, but as a primary activity at the heart of his ministry. Whether He heals Jairus’ daughter or the blind man in Bethsaida, or the leper, Jesus shows us His compassion for the sick. And God’s Word further shows us that God is impartial in that He healed all who were brought to Him.
“And he went throughout all Galilee, teaching in the synagogues, preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing every disease and every affliction of the people. So his fame spread throughout all Syria, and the people brought to him all the sick, and those who were suffering from various diseases and pains, and those who were oppressed by demons, and those who had seizures and paralysis, and he healed them.” Matthew 4:23-24 (ESV)
These words are a great encouragement to those of us who are patiently waiting for healing amid health problems. While we wait, we are building our endurance. Miriam Webster defines patience as remaining steadfast and unyielding in the face of suffering and misfortune. Endurance may not be good for you physically, but it allows you to endure when the winds of life blow.
We are currently doing some diagnostics. Doctors say there is no cure for one of them. I know firsthand how difficult it is to deal with chronic, debilitating health issues. You may feel exhausted physically, emotionally, and even spiritually. Emotional strain can lead to further fatigue and create a vicious pain loop that feels impossible to escape. These cycles can shake even the strongest of us to the core. But as believers in Christ, our faith in Christ gives us a solid foundation to stand firm in even the loudest of storms.
Ephesians 6:13 inspires us by saying, “Let us rise up with all our might.”
Here are five keys to finding the strength to stand and endure amid health challenges.
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1. Cling to God’s promises
How you feel in your body right now does not invalidate what God has said. So what has God already said to you? Yes, you may be feeling weak right now. Although you may feel broken, hurt, or frustrated, I ask you to remember God’s promises. Let me remind you of some of God’s promises regarding your health.
“You shall serve the Lord your God, and he will bless your bread and water, and I will remove sickness from among you.” Exodus 23:25 (ESV)
“Behold, I will bring health and healing there, and I will heal them, and I will reveal to them abundant prosperity and security.” Jeremiah 33:6 (ESV)
“Bless the Lord, O my soul, and remember all his benefits; he will forgive all your iniquities and heal all your infirmities.” Psalm 103:2-3 (ESV)
Tell me about these promises. Remember and meditate on these promises. Immersing yourself in God’s Word of healing strengthens your faith in the midst of suffering. Remember God’s truth every day and let that truth be your stronghold.
Spend some time praying the above scriptures. Journaling is a practical way to write down scriptures and write down prayers. Expressing your emotions is very important. The Lord invites us to come boldly to the throne of grace so that we can receive help in our time of need (Hebrews 4:16). Additionally, ask God, your present helper, to help you trust His plan, even if you don’t understand it.
God’s Word is a lifeline in the face of any challenge, including health problems. It is filled with promises that remind us of the Father’s faithfulness, love, and care for us. And the scriptures can be a powerful tool to strengthen our faith, especially when we are facing hardship.
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2. Command the soul
The Bible has a lot to say about the soul. Many times we see David and other psalmists lamenting the condition of their souls. If we want to have the mental and emotional fortitude to endure health problems, we must take command of our souls. Pay attention to the words of Psalm 45:5-6 (ESV). “My soul, why are you cast down? Why are you confused within me? Put your hope in God, for I will praise God again, my salvation, my God. My soul is cast down within me. Therefore I remember you from the land of Jordan and from the land of Hermon, from Mount Mizar.”
Just when we are “weary and weary,” we must command our souls to praise, just as the psalmist did here. It’s not easy to praise or be grateful when you’re in pain and suffering. That is why you must command your soul. You must command your soul to bless the Lord. You must command your mind to meditate on what is worthy of praise. This will give you the spiritual stamina to command your soul as you cling to God’s promises by reading and obeying His Word. You may feel too weak within yourself to command anything, but you can command by the Spirit.
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3. Talk about life
“Oh, it always hurts,” the voice repeats over and over in my head. It’s like the refrain of a song that never ends. But is it a soundtrack I want to listen to on repeat? Although I am currently “feeling” chronic pain, chronic pain is not the only thing in my life. I have family love. I have a meaningful job. I’m blessed.
Life and death are created by words (Proverbs 18:21). Words have so much power that we need to pay attention to both our inner chatter and our outer chatter. Our speech must align with God’s truth. Should we talk about healing or illness, life or death? One day, as I was lamenting to a friend about how I was feeling, she asked me to check the way I was speaking. I told her I was just stating the current reality that I was suffering very much. She provided a different perspective. The idea was that, sure, you might be in pain, but your body is healing every second. Since then, I remind myself every day that my body is indeed healing. Cells are renewed and healed day by day. I want everyone to say the same thing, “I am healed!”
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4. Get more rest
How can we create more space for rest during this season? What can we say no to? Some of the things on the table are good, but are they what we need during this season? As a wife, mother of six children, entrepreneur, and missionary leader, I know the demands of a busy life. But this season they had to scale back to make room for rest. This includes evaluating what’s on your calendar, saying no to things that aren’t urgent, and releasing your need for control. I also had to open myself up to ask for and accept help. It was a humbling journey, to say the least, but doing so allowed me to enter God’s rest in a way I had never experienced before in my life.
What can you do to distract yourself from the pain while you rest? Whatever you focus on will be amplified. Therefore, the louder you say about your pain and the more attention you give to it, the more it will feel. It’s important to engage in distractions such as coloring, Bible study, crossword puzzles, or even some light stretching.
I would also like to add that you don’t have to be a “strong person”. If you have worn that badge of honor in the past, we urge you to throw it away. You don’t have to be everything to everyone. In this season, God is perfecting everything that concerns you (Psalm 138:8), so place all excess into His capable hands.
Sometimes our bodies suffer because we take in too much. Our hearts are pounding. Our emotions are overstimulated. Our hearts are overwhelmed. And when health concerns are added to the list, we could reach a tipping point. How fortunate we are that God has promised rest to his people (Hebrews 4:9). Please accept his invitation to rest.
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5. Find joy in this season
On this journey, you must recognize that there may be new physical limitations that you are not accustomed to. It’s very humbling to accept that you can no longer do some of the things you used to be able to do. But instead of mourning what was before, you can find joy in the season you’re in now.
When faced with hardship, it can be difficult to find joy. That’s why you have to look for it. Ask the Lord to change your perspective and give you new eyes to see. The joy of seeing a child’s smile, the joy of deep gratitude, and the joy of achieving a desired result. This kind of pleasure is so transformative that it may make you want to run.
The irritation may last overnight. The pain may last overnight. The crying may last all night, but rest assured that joy will come. Joy is coming! Be thankful for everything because joy is coming.
When we embrace joy, it doesn’t mean we’re denying our pain, it means we choose to recognize God’s mercy in the midst of our pain. When we focus on God’s goodness, we invite joy into our hearts.
Finally, the words of the Apostle Paul, “At last, brethren,” resonate loudly in my heart. As he concludes his letter, I can only imagine the church in Ephesus holding its breath and clinging to his words. In the same posture, bend down and accept this final truth into your heart. “After you have suffered a little while, the Lord will restore you” (1 Peter 5:10).
Your suffering creates perseverance to get through this season. There’s more. Your perseverance amidst these health challenges is creating hope, and that is worth celebrating.
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First publication date is Friday, October 17, 2025.
