Christian Faith and HealthKeeping faith in the face of illness

Can illness come to a person of faith? Is taking medication a measure of my faith?

What does healing mean to me?How do I know I've been healed?

My grace is sufficient for you, for my

power is made perfect in weakness.

Therefore I will boast all the more gladly

about my weaknesses, so that Christ's

power may rest on me.

2 Cor 12: 9-10

Faith is an important element in the lives of

many people and is a source of strength and

well being. This leaflet seeks to speak to

people of faith who may be facing challenges

with chronic illnesses such as Diabetes, High

Blood pressure, Hepatitis C, Arthritis, HIV,

Lupus and Asthma among many other

illnesses that need constant medication and

treatment.

This leaflet reflects the invaluable comments,

discussions and responses made by Christian

faith leaders, people living with chronic

illness and health workers.

Introduction

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Many questions can cloud the mind of a believer when faced

with illness, coping with illness can therefore be a difficult

challenge to face.

Illness is not a sign that you do not have faith in God. For

Christians, it is paramount to remember that our bodies are

flesh and therefore we are still subject to the same natural laws

as everyone else on earth. We can still experience hunger,

illness, and disease. It is possible to be sick and still be all that

God wants you to be. In the bible believers often experienced

illness, Job was a blessed man who lived righteously but God

allowed illness to come to him to test his faith. Jesus also

reveals to us that illness is not a punishment for sin; He healed

many people as a sign of His abundant love. It's by His grace

that healing is received.

“I have been faithful to my God. What have I done to deserve this illness?”

Can illness come to a person of strong faith?

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Elisha, a powerful prophet of God became sick for a very long

time, even in sickness, his faith was so strong people kept

coming to him for healing and prayer. Even as he lay dead in his

tomb, another dead man laid beside him was raised to life just

by being in contact with Elisha's body. Elisha was still used by

God and filled with God's Spirit even in illness.

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I was sick you visited me.

When Job's three friends... heard about all the

troubles that had come upon him, they set out

from their homes and met together by agreement

to go and sympathize with him and comfort him.

Therefore, since Christ suffered in his body, arm

yourselves also with the same attitude, because

he who has suffered in his body is done with sin.

Matthew 25:31-46

Job 2:11

Peter 4:1

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“I've been told I'm diabetic. I'm supposed to take an injection everyday. I'm worried that I may be doubting Gods power to heal me if I take the injections.”

Is taking prescribed medication for chronic illness a measure of my faith in God?

Taking medication is not a sign that we do not trust in God.

When as Christians we take medication for a chronic illness, it

is a sign of having a strong faith in a generous and loving God.

Medication is one of God's gifts to human kind. In His creation

of the universe He has provided us with health giving- plants

for our use and has given knowledge and wisdom to physicians.

Christian physicians have often testified about God's power in

their work. If someone is ill, they are encouraged to take

medication and pray for healing as these are signs of faith in a

living and giving God.

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Fruit trees of all kinds will grow on both banks

of the river. Their leaves will not wither, nor will

their fruit fail. Every month they will bear,

because the water from the sanctuary flows to

them. Their fruit will serve for food and their

leaves for healing.

Is there no balm in Gilead? Is there no physician

there? Why then is there no healing for the

wound of my people?

Ezekiel 47:12

Jeremiah 8:22

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“When I was diagnosed with HIV I thought I was dying, I was too weak to get out of bed, to cook, to eat. I also was diagnosed with TB. The nurses thought I would die, but thank God; today I am strong and can sing and praise my God. My HIV is being managed well.”

What does healing meanfor me as a Christian?

Physical health is a wonderful blessing and everyone longs to

be well. As Christians when we are ill we often pray for

healing and health and this is good. However, when healing

does not come we may begin to question God's love for us.

We must remember that God may have healed us but not in

the way we expect.

As Christians, we have the gift of the Holy Spirit which makes

us whole. No matter what the flesh is going through, the

spirit can still praise God. Spiritual health is an inner peace, a

sense of wholeness no matter what our physical bodies are

going through. A healthy spirit thinks positively and focuses

on success. Within illness you can find wholeness and

strength in faith.

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Nevertheless, I will bring health and healing to it;

I will heal my people and will let them enjoy

abundant peace and security.

He saved us, not because of righteous things we

had done, but because of his mercy. He saved us

through the washing of rebirth and renewal by

the Holy Spirit.

Jesus answered, I tell you the truth, no one can

enter the kingdom of God unless he is born of

water and the Spirit.

Malachi 4:2

Titus 3:5

John 3:5

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“I have received my healing and I have no need for these pills. I am throwing them away and I will never again take them. My God has been good to me.”

How do I know I have been healed?

We believe Jesus still heals today, when He heals us it's a

wonderful and joyous moment. We want to testify and

celebrate as a way of declaring God’s goodness to us. Anyone

who believes they have been healed is encouraged to return to

their doctor for confirmation of healing before stopping

medication. We see an example of this with the lepers who

Jesus orders to go and show themselves to the High priest for

examination. The physical healings that our Lord Jesus

performed left onlookers convinced a person had been

restored, so confirmation from a doctor is by no means a lack

of faith but actually an act of faith.

Blessed be the God and Father of our

Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us

in Christ with every spiritual blessing

in the heavenly places.

Eph 1:3

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Jesus went through all the towns and villages,

teaching in their synagogues, preaching the

good news of the kingdom and healing every

disease and sickness.

When he saw them, he said, “Go, and show

yourselves to the priests.” And as they went,

they were cleansed.

Matthew 9:35

Luke 17:14

As we serve and seek to understand the ways of God, we hope

the message in this leaflet has helped you to reflect on the

deeper meaning of faith and a relationship with God even in

the face of a challenging illness. We encourage you to work

alongside Health Care professionals in managing your medical

condition as their aim is to manage your health and not to

undermine your faith.

… give thanks in all circumstances, for

this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus.

1 Thessalonians 5:18

Finally...

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Scottish Charity Number SCO36500MECTIS

Waverley Care African Health ProjectThe Renfield Centre260 Bath StreetGlasgow G2 4JP

Tel: 0141 333 9393Mob: 0772 398 4209 (Outreach Worker) or 0795 662 0461 (Health Worker)Email: ahpglasgow@waverleycare.orgwww.waverleycare.org