Helping Healing

Job 4: 4 Your words have supported those who stumbled; you have strengthened faltering knees.

I can remember visiting a young woman in hospital many years ago, who had a foot blown off by a terrorist bomb. She had been holidaying in Tunisia, North Africa and, unfortunately, was in the wrong place at the wrong time. She was quickly flown home to Scotland, where she spent many weeks in hospital recovering from the injury and the shock.

It took her a while to learn to walk again with an artificial limb, but the whole community, indeed the whole of Scotland, sent her many cards of encouragement and support. This helped her immensely as she faced the struggle of being permanently disabled at such a young age. I can remember visiting and praying with her, and all the while I was amazed at her positive outlook and strong determination to get better.

A couple of months ago, I went to our local post office here in Knoxville and the counter attendant struck up a conversation with me when he heard my Scottish accent. As we talked, he told me about his relatives back in Scotland and I knew exactly who he meant. When he mentioned the young woman’s name, I told him that I visited her in hospital and at home several times. He then told me that the cards, visits and prayers meant a great deal, and enabled her to heal inside whilst dealing with the scars and disability on the outside.

There’s always someone out there who needs our prayers and support, encouragement and love. As Christians, part of our ministry is to be God’s vessels for wholeness and healing, for recovery and restoration. Wherever we are and whosoever we meet this week, let’s show them God’s care and kindness through our friendship and faith.

Prayer: Lord Jesus, when You walked the earth, You healed the sick and cured the lame. Your compassion enabled thousands of people to recover from all sorts of illness, tragedy and disaster. Today, You call upon us to be instruments of Your peace and the channels of Your support. Help us to do all that we can to support, love and encourage those around us in great need. In Your Holy name, we pray. Amen.