The Bleeding Woman’s story is my story, and it’s Ann Swindell’s story. In Matthew 9, Mark 5, and Luke 8, we read about a woman who suffered from a hemorrhage for twelve years. Twelve long years … until she reached out and touched the hem of Jesus’ garment.
Swindell suffers from trichotillomania, a disorder that causes her to repeatedly pull out her eyelashes and eyebrows. Like the Bleeding Woman, Swindell has tried many remedies and spent many dollars, but she has not found a cure.
Prayer. Christians pray, and they wait. They pray more earnestly, and they wait in expectation. It’s the last minute. Is God going to intervene?
Thirty-nine authors, 40 true stories. Forty answered prayers. Just in time.
Do you not know? Have you not heard?
The Everlasting God, the Lord, the Creator of the ends of the earth
Does not become weary or tired.
His understanding is unsearchable.
He gives strength to the weary,
And to him who lacks might He increases power.
Though youths grow weary and tired,
And vigorous young men stumble badly,
Yet those who wait for the Lord
Will gain new strength;
They will mount up with wings like eagles,
They will run and not get tired,
They will walk and not become weary. Isaiah 40:28-31
Six years ago, I suffered from fibromyalgia and chronic fatigue syndrome. I was to the point of resigning from the job of my dreams. I believed that God had placed me there to make a difference. But the pills and alternative therapies no longer worked. My doctor wanted to put me on disability, but I refused, so he reduced my days of work. I was devastated.
One weekend, I decided to give up. Maybe I misunderstood the Lord’s plan for me.
I decided to go on disability and honor the Lord while in my pain, brain fog, fatigue, and weakness.
Six years ago today, Keith and I slipped into a healing service. I’d been prayed for many times. I’d been anointed with oil. I’d had hands laid on me. Nothing.
That day, my prayer was not “God, heal me.” My prayer was, “Father, I don’t care any more about the healing, I just want more of YOU!”
We saw people we knew healed. One woman was scheduled for cataract surgery that Tuesday. She came back to her seat seeing clearly. One man seated next to us went forward with a deaf ear. He returned crying.
After the pastor called for those in chronic pain to come forward, Keith grabbed my arm and marched me down to the front. This wasn’t the first time the pastor laid hands on me. Two years before, he laid hands on me and told me “You have much to do.” No words of healing … much to do.
After those words, Keith and I pressed into the Word like we had never done before. We had some learning – and unlearning – to do as we waited in expectation for the Lord to work.
Two years later, the Lord healed!
Two months later, I ran, flying a kite, on a San Diego beach. Impossible with the pain I endured before the Lord’s healing.
The kite in the photo hangs in my bathroom. Every day, I see it as I’m taking a shower. It reminds me of His work in me.
The key: We can “know” these truths and not live these truths. If we really believe these truths, we must flap our wings as the eagle does, expending great energy to rise above the clouds, and soar on the warm current of the Holy Spirit.
We have an Everlasting God, the Lord, the Creator, the All-Wise One our HEALER! My Lord doesn’t become weary or tired, but He gives strength to the weary, and to those who lack might, He increases their power.
As we wait for the Lord, He empowers, and we soar, run, and walk in His way.
Everlasting Father, Thank You for Your great and awesome ways. You are Lord. You are our Creator. You are beyond understanding. You are my Healer. Embed these truths deep within our understanding and give us the courage to risk rising above the clouds to soar on the warm current of the Holy Spirit.
Please share how the Holy Spirit is helping you to soar above the storm.
