I remember the first time I heard Mike Wells’ phrase “There is nothing the nearness of Christ cannot cure." I got really uncomfortable and thought that he should not put things out there like that because I just didn't think they could be true. I mean, come on, let’s be reasonable here. I had to examine all the other things that perhaps could bring a cure. Maybe there is nothing the nearness of therapy cannot cure. Or drugs. Or really hard work. Or more knowledge. I tried many things because I just could not come to grips with the simplicity of Jesus being the One to bring healing to every area of my life.
Of course, none of it worked. I tried to counsel that way, too. I just burned out and hated every minute of counseling for a year or two, and finally the Lord took that away for a spell. I had to get to the place where I firmly believed that Jesus held everything together by His power and could fix anything that was wrong or out of place. That does not mean He always does. Sometimes, we are left with a broken piece because that is the thing that pushes us back to God’s presence. It is not up to me to heal myself through more faith or better belief or more extravagant good works.
When I was a child, I used to want to be blonde with blue eyes (because I thought that would make me prettier!), and I prayed for it often. There was nothing I could do to make that happen, no matter how “good” I thought I was being to earn it. The truth of it is, we don’t earn anything. We can acknowledge that Jesus can heal us (whether that be emotional, physical, or spiritual in nature) but also recognize that we have no right to demand that He do so. He knows what is best for us, and the exact circumstances that will allow us to know Him best. So, instead, I align my heart and choice with Him, believing in His nearness, and I am made whole. My weakness may not be permanently fixed as I would like, but with His Life I have all the strength I need in that area. He may heal me, but it is not because I have achieved a certain level of something to earn it.
Jesus knows what is best for me at every given moment of my life, and allows those things there. As we draw near to Him through the painful things in life, we discover a Life overflowing that we could not have on our own.
I think sometimes we seek Him for the gift of healing, instead of for Himself. In these times, often He will allow us to wait for what we want until we realize that even if we never get it, He will be enough for us. As we focus on Him and draw near to Him, the things that need to be healed are healed, the things that need to be left broken are transformed by His incredible love, and the things that seem as if we have messed up beyond belief become beautiful and purposeful. He does not waste anything, but allows us to draw near and find Him.
But he answered me, “My grace is always more than enough for you, and my power finds its full expression through your weakness.” So I will celebrate my weaknesses, for when I’m weak I sense more deeply the mighty power of Christ living in me. So I’m not defeated by my weakness, but delighted! For when I feel my weakness and endure mistreatment—when I’m surrounded with troubles on every side and face persecution because of my love for Christ—I am made yet stronger. For my weakness becomes a portal to God’s power. 2 Corinthians 12:9-10