Question: Dear Greg,

About five years ago, I was involved very heavily in bicycle racing. It took up all my time including time I should have devoted to God. One night at a Bible study I looked at my friend and said, "I feel in my heart that God is telling me to give up cycling or he is going to get me off the bike himself. It was not a mystical experience, just a deep feeling in my spirit. Well, I must not have believed it because I kept on racing and one day – bang! I herniated a disk in my back and that was it. The injury was enough to keep me off the bike, but not bad enough to require surgery (but according to the MRI, I should be in great pain).

Of course, the minute I realized I was done racing, I remembered that night at Bible study. I went to the Lord in prayer and again the same feeling in my spirit came over me and I knew the Lord said that if I would draw close to him, he would heal me. I am a conservative person, and not quick to get too wrapped up in emotional nonsense, but I believe that God is interacting with me. I need another Christian that does not know me (again emotions aside) to discuss biblical healing with me. I am drawing close to God as best I can and have been without pain in my back for nearly three years, but the constant irritation and stiffness always reminds me of why I am in the shape I am in (not heeding God to begin with).

Can you provide me with any insight into what is happening to me, and should I call upon the elders of the church to pray and anoint me with oil?

Thank you for your time and God bless you.

Joe

Answer: Dear Joe,

Plain Truth Ministries believes in divine healing – but we do not believe that the healing that God gives is always understood by humans. In negative terms, we do not believe that the Bible teaches us that God will heal us once we "stop sinning" – once we "get within his will" – once we etc. etc. God’s healing is beyond our comprehension, sometimes out of our time limitations, and often not within the limitations and scope we desire. God does not heal only those who are superior Christians, or have special insights, or those who deny themselves in specific ways. God’s healing is certain and sure, but it is far beyond our efforts to quantify and understand.

The process you describe is natural for a believer, given the circumstances. Seeking God is what God desires for us – for he wants us to know him, and to enjoy an intimate relationship with him. But it is also possible, as you note, to "subjectivize" this experience. God does work with us, he does guide us – but there are many very human emotions that God’s communication passes through, and often our human emotions are not filtered, but "pollute" the pure and clear message God has for us.

Counsel is important, and as you describe, it can even be helpful to have independent input from those who do not know us. But the Bible teaches us to value the counsel of those who do know us, and who will give us impartial and honest input.

Plain Truth Ministries offers an excellent book titled, Where is God When It Hurts? – I would be happy to send you a free copy, because of our partners and supporters who help us make such resources available. If you would like a copy, provide your address and a copy will be on its way. May God bless you.

In Christ,

Greg Albrecht