Medicine in Our Heart

Yes, when I speak of medicine, I am speaking of medicine to heal not only our emotional sickness, but our physical sickness as well.

22A joyful heart is good medicine,

but a crushed spirit dries up the bones.”

— Proverbs 17:22 (ESV)

I wonder if you have heard the saying, “laughter is the best medicine”. I know that I have and it is true, when we laugh, our mind leaps to a more positive perspective and our body is boosted with endorphins that relieve pain and tension. I currently have some knee pain that I am getting looked at by physicians, and where I will have to have something repaired, I also know that when I am having a good time with things, the pain seems to not affect me as bitterly.

Now, imagine joy in your life that streams from your heart. That joy is not just there in the heart, but moves from your heart to your head and out to the world. Our mental and physical selves would deal with less stress related pain and suffering and we would find relief. Where do we get such joy but from the LORD and His Word.

The LORD does not only bring joy, but we find joy in Him and the worship of Him. Anxiety comes from the unknown and deception. With the LORD, there is no deception, and where we may not know where things are going in the short run, our finality is determined. The LORD is truth and in that truth I can rely. And God’s love for me brings me a confidence that can only be described as joy. And that joy is great medicine to that which is against me.

Medicine in our heart starts with the Word of God which turns to joy in our heart which streams to our mind and body to relieve pain. Joy in our heart is the medicine of our lives. Yes, doctors are still important for the healing in some instances to take place, but in reality, they are not needed as with the joy of the LORD, we have all the medicine we need. And, if it is in the will of God, He will heal us fully without the hands of the doctors. We have all we “need” with the LORD in our heart.

What medicine are you looking for to heal you? Are you looking to outside remedies? What if you were to look inward to the joy of the LORD in your heart and allow Him to be the medicine that heals?

Faith to be Clean

12While he was in one of the cities, there came a man full of leprosy. And when he saw Jesus, he fell on his face and begged him, ‘Lord, if you will, you can make me clean.’” – Luke 5:12 (ESV)

Notice the man’s faith. He knew that Jesus could clean him of the leprosy that plagued him. He did not need to see any additional proof. He did not even know what would be expected of him or what would take place for him to be cleaned, he just knew that Jesus could heal him, or make him clean.

I think that we do not have that kind of faith today. This man was cast out from society based on an illness he contracted. It seems as though he was just waiting on the opportunity to meet Jesus. He knew, without question, that Jesus could heal him. And more than just being healed, he could be made clean so that he could rejoin society.

This was not the only time that someone had that kind of faith in Jesus.

20And behold, a woman who had suffered from a discharge of blood for twelve years came up behind him and touched the fringe of his garment, 21for she said to herself, ‘If I only touch his garment, I will be made well.’” – Matthew 9:20-21 (ESV)

This woman’s faith was so strong that she did not even need Jesus to know. She only needed to touch his garment to be healed and cleaned. Again without knowing how, only that He could, the woman reached out in full confidence and faith.

I say we get back to faith in God that He will heal and clean us. Jesus wants us to have full confidence in Him. He let’s us know that all we have to do is ask and he will be there for us. And not just to fix things, but to bring us back to where we are to be. He cleans us up so that we can rejoin society.

13And Jesus stretched out his hand and touched him, saying, ‘I will; be clean.’ And immediately the leprosy left him.” – Luke 5:13 (ESV)

22Jesus turned, and seeing her he said, ‘Take heart, daughter; your faith has made you well.’ And instantly the woman was made well.” – Matthew 9:22 (ESV)

Notice Jesus’ responses when these two reached out in full faith. In both cases, it was not the fact that they needed to be healed and cleaned, it was that they had faith that Jesus could and would. There were and are plenty of people that have a condition that is not healed and cleaned. But these two did not require severe action from Jesus. They prayed that He was present an opportunity to show Jesus their faith in Him and when it came, they seized that opportunity.

I have to be better at my faith. I have to know that Jesus does what we ask of Him. We only need the full faith that He can and will clean us up. I have to KNOW He will not let me suffer any longer.

What is your view on faith? Do you rely on the physical to resolve things? What if you were to have faith in Jesus and rely fully on His grace and mercy to clean you up?