A Response: Gods Will…
April 15, 2007
I received the following question in my email this morning… I would like the opportunity to respond.
If this is from God per your quotation of the verse 2 Cor 12:8-10, then why are you going to the Mayo Clinic?
Are you trying to get them to thwart the Will of God for your life?
Doesn’t make sense, does it?
“MacMan”, First of all thank you for your comment and for taking the time to push me to a closer understanding of where I am in this journey.
I want to start with my daughters journey, because it is so tightly wrapped into my outlook on my own Journey. I am not sure if you have read her story- but long and short, she has a donated heart beating in her little chest at the age of 5. As much as I believe God’s hands were all over the medical aspects of HER situation- I firmly believe He is all over mine.
I think the first mistake you make (and I say that with the utmost respect) is that you assume that God isnt telling me to go to Mayo Clinic. You are assuming that my faith in God and my faith in the medical provisions he has given cannot be intertwined. You are assuming that you understand more abundantly the will of God’s life for me than I do or my family does- the people who are walking this road with our ears FIRMLY pressed against the word of God, listening… and waiting.
Do I believe in miracles- without a shadow of a doubt. I would stand on the highest mountain top and declare that. Do I believe it has to be a great and mighty miracle to qualify as such- ABSOLUTELY NOT. Many times in our lives (mine included) we miss God because we are waiting for that “Mighty and all compassing Miracle”. Look at my daughters story again (I am learning more and more daily from that sweet child’s testimony). There are so many small miracles in her journey that you will miss if you only focus on the ‘perfect healing of her body’. Gods not in the business of desiring only physical health- His desires are far more reaching than that.
Here is the scripture you are referring to:
Three times I pleaded with the Lord to take it away from me. 9But he said to me, “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. 10That is why, for Christ’s sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong.
My questions to you (again said with the utmost respect) Why do you desire to put God in a box? Why are you putting limits on God’s ability to work. Why do you feel that God’s will can only work if it is a mighty and profound miracle? How did you come to the conclusion that the medical advantages we have been blessed aren’t a provision from a loving God?
*Christ speaks mightily regarding this:
Jesus Speaks Regarding the Use of Medicine
The Good Samaritan
Jesus replied and said, “A man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho, and fell among robbers, and they stripped him and beat him, and went away leaving him half dead. And by chance a priest was going down on that road, and when he saw him, he passed by on the other side. Likewise a Levite also, when he came to the place and saw him, passed by on the other side.
But a Samaritan, who was on a journey, came upon him; and when he saw him, he felt compassion, and came to him and bandaged up his wounds, pouring oil and wine on them; and he put him on his own beast, and brought him to an inn and took care of him. On the next day he took out two denarii and gave them to the innkeeper and said, ‘Take care of him; and whatever more you spend, when I return I will repay you.’
Which of these three do you think proved to be a neighbor to the man who fell into the robbers’ hands? And he said, “The one who showed mercy toward him.” Then Jesus said to him, “Go and do the same.”
Luke 10:30-37
Consider the following briefest of summaries of this world-renowned story:
The Samaritan poured oil and wine into the wounds of the injured Jew and then bound up the wounds with bandages. Then Jesus tells all who have been listening to His story, “Go and do the same.” -source
*Timothy Uses Medicine for His “Frequent Ailments”
Paul was Timothy’s spiritual father and mentor in the Lord. Paul, who had the Spirit-given ability to heal other men’s maladies freely and to validate the gospel with miracles, signs, and wonders says something utterly astonishing to Timothy.
“No longer drink water exclusively, but use a little wine for the sake of your stomach and your frequent ailments.” (1 Timothy 5:23) -source
*Luke Was Known as “the Beloved Physician”
Luke is given the title “the Beloved Physician” in Colossians 4:14. This was no reference to his work in the past. Titles in the New Testament were given as a matter of recognition to current activities, professions, and gifts. Consider Philip the Evangelist, Paul the Apostle, Agabus the Prophet. That Luke continued to practice medicine, in obedience to the command that Christ gave to his disciples to “go and do the same” (imitating the righteous deeds done by the Good Samaritan) is all but certain. It is also all but certain that Luke was a man of faith.-source
*Jesus is the Great Physician.
He has called us all to be good Samaritans and care for the physical wounds (and the spiritual wounds) of our neighbors with the compassionate use of medicine and medical knowledge. We will not heal others perfectly, God alone does that. We will not counsel others perfectly. God alone does that. We will not shepherd other perfectly, God alone does that. But we are compelled by His Word to try. To not try is to deny Him, to be unfaithful, and to be uncompassionate.-source
*What Jesus Did Not Say
Please take note of what Jesus never said. It is nowhere recorded that Jesus said, “do not seek medical assistance for yourself, nor provide medical assistance to the helpless”. Why is this important to note? Because where there is no biblical command against something, such as medicine, there is also no penalty or accountability to God for doing that thing. Consider this principle of “no law means no sin” with regard to the following verses about the Old Testament Law:
“for the Law brings about wrath, but where there is no law, there also is no violation.” (Romans 4:15).
“for until the Law sin was in the world, but sin is not imputed when there is no law.” (Romans 5:13)
Where there is no law, there is no violation, and therefore, no sin is imputed. If it is not pushing the principle too far, we can understand this to mean that where there is no explicit commandment condemning an action (in this case the action is seeking medical attention) then there is no violation of the law.
Had Jesus, or any of the apostles or prophets, created a law by commanding us to not seek medical treatments, then we would have such a command written into the Scriptures and it would be a law indeed. However, since the canon is complete and because there is no command to avoid medicine and medical treatments, we are free to seek such therapy without danger to our faith and without danger of being trapped in sin. -source
“For everything created by God is good, and nothing is to be rejected if it is received with gratitude; for it is sanctified by means of the word of God and prayer.” (1 Timothy 4:4,5)
Im choosing not to put my God in a box.
* Denotes text was taken from this source: Faith Healing — God’s Compassion, God’s Power, and God’s Sovereignty I encourage each of you to read this article, It addresses this issue (and others) head on.
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Note From Heather: All comments are welcome, but I reserve the right to delete at any time. All comments are solely the opinions of the individuals submitting them and the publication of them on this blog does not imply my endorsement or agreement. By posting your comments to the blog you are granting me the right to use them. Your submission of a comment constitutes your acceptance of this comment policy.
In other words: Play Nice
95 Responses to “A Response: Gods Will…”
I would love to hear from you!
Heather. I truly believe that God has gifted many doctors and surgeons with a special ability to heal that goes above and beyond the norm. In my book, that’s “a miracle.” Hugs to you, Girl. Keeping you in my prayers.
God IS the Great Physician..
MANY prayers going up for you and for your beautiful family and friends.
Thank you for turning your experience a learning one for us as well. ((Hugs))
Heather - I firmly believe, too, that God uses others to minister to us…in many ways. Not using trained physicians, many of whom are called of God to that task, is almost like sitting at your kitchen table waiting for God to deliver the manna…instead of going to the grocery store and buying food!
Thank you for your well thought out (and prayed about) response. Maybe God sent that to give you something else to focus on for the moment!!! You are in my prayers…
Once again this is evedence of why, possibly, YOU have been allowed to go through this trial. You bring everything right back to the Lord and His precious Word. I am learning so much my dear friend. I am not sure if you can feel it, but His glory is beaming and reflecting off your precious face. He is so in love with you.
Thank you - hugs!
To God be the glory, yes even this can be used to bring him all the glory. You are a great source of encouragement and such an inspiration! May God bless you and keep you today!
Blessings & Hugs,
Tiany
Heather…
I have been visiting your blog since learning of your recent news. I am blessed by your testimony and your openness to share your heart with us.
I agree with what you have said about God being able to use others in our sicknesses.
I thought of Job…Satan said to God (paraphrased) ‘Well of course Job honours you, you have placed a hedge of protection around him. Take that away, and he will curse you to your face’ (Job 1:7-12) So God gave Satan permission to take the hedge away with God’s hand upon the limits.
I wonder what kind of witness we would be to the world if we were not touched by all the things they were, and not allowed to go through them as they are…sometime without healing at the end. They would never see the difference between someone who doesn’t have the Lord as their hope and someone who does have that HOPE going through a brain tumour, for example, with their hand firmly placed in the Lord’s.
We hurt and suffer just as the unbelievers…but not as those without HOPE (1 Thes. 4:13). What a wonderful witness you are of God’s grace…through all of the tears and fears and joys of the journey. You are showing the REAL heart of one whose faith is anchored in Christ…REGARDLESS of the outcome…whether it be full healing, or going home to be with the Lord.
I will continue to pray for you and your family as you pass through this part of your journey!
hugs,
Brenda
This is an excellent post. We do ask these questions. And you are right, they help us figure out what we believe and why. I agree with your answer but I have asked the question a lot myself - how do we gel the will of God (and trying to follow it) with the situations and opportunities that are placed before us?
I do not know what you are going through. But I do have a friend who has brain tumors and brain cancers. I do know what it’s like to watch. In all your frailty and vunerability, you seem so strong and prepared. Your family and friends are there and you are covered in prayer - I love that phrase “covered in prayer” - like an umbrella so nothing can touch you. I think about you all the time. You make me think about our physical bodies and our brains and our souls and God. At my bible study we talk a lot about “the journey” and “a life worth living”. Try as I might, sometimes I need a “human” example to help me keep my eyes on the Lord and His will. Your journey is helping me. I am praying for you, your husband, your children, your parents and everyone else in your life. Peace be with you.
Excellent, thought-out response, Heather. My reaction to people putting God in that tiny little box like your commenter is to get angry and indignant. You handle it much better than I would! Never forget that God has mightily gifted all these doctors and nurses for the benefit of all of us. Use them as much as you can!
Oh Heather, God has blessed you with a beautiful gift of writing. You are so talented and I learn so much from you and your walk in faith. Thank you.
You remain in my prayers.
I look at Christ and his healings that he did not only in the scriptures but continues to do around the world today. They way that they are done vary greatly in different parts of the world. In developing nations or nations where Christians would be persecuted or killed if the got medical treatment, God often directly heals them if that is his desire. In the western world we have healings also, but they happen in hospitals, because of the medical technology that has been given to us. While in the western world we still have healings that are miracles, we also have healings that are the result of surgery, or of medicine. They are all God working, but God working in different ways. Jesus used mud to heal the blindness of one man, who is to say that he is not going to use a scalpel to heal the cancer of another.
Twart the will of God? So MacMan knows that going to the Mayo Clinic is outside the will of God for you. Amazing isn’t it?
I admire your restraint and composure. I don’t possess it.
Blown away by you tact and patience. I wouldn’t not have been so gracious.
Prayers and intercession for you during this time.
There is a time for every purpose under heaven–a time for miraculous (through the Holy Spirit alone) and a time for miracles (God bringing things together to get the exact treatment at the exact time.) We have through this (medicine vs. “healing”) several times and have had a hard time explaining to family that God was obviously in things (with many miracles sprinkjled throughout) regardless of whether things worked the way they thought they should in the end. I have so often been flaberghasted at the way the Lord hasdeliberately led us through the labirynth of medical specialists and hospitals, showing over and over that He was there with us regardless of the outcome. He IS the “Great Physician” and sometimes He works through people and sometimes He is more “hands on”. Heather, you put into words what my thoughts have been over the past few years as God has proved Himself again and again. He is in this as well and has revealed Himself once again. Praise be to God.
A wonderful, well thought out and respectful response, Heather. There are some who do view that if we are sick and it is God’s will then we should do nothing about it. But then why has god blessed people with healing talents?
The comment you received is reflective of the deeper question…why does God let bad things happen to good people? We have all gone through difficult situations in our lives and non-Christians will question…how can you still believe in God…how can you worship a God that allows harm to come to you.
My answer is that each unhappy event in my life has given me more faith in God. It has helped me to draw closer to him and it has given me opportunities to reach out to others going through similar situations and share my testimony with them and help them grow as they see how God helped get me through.
You did a great job with your response. God is using you and your situation in so many ways! God bless!
I found your blog through Janice at 5minutesformom. I am in awe of your courage and your willingness to share your fears and sadness so honestly. It’s not easy to take something we all take for granted - words, language - and use it to create something beautiful from suffering. God grants us each gifts - count me as one more reader who’s thankful you’re using yours to inspire us all.
Dear Heather,
You are right God is the great Physician. Your response was beautiful , loving and brought the Glory and focus back to the Lord God Almighty. You are such a beautiful fellow Sister in Christ, mother, wife and person. Even in the mist of your situation you not only gave grace, love, wisdom, clarity brought glorified the Lord . Blessings to you.
In his endless love,
Angel Mama ( D.)
Heather, what a blessing you are - to me! I marvel at your strength and compassion in answering the email you received from “Macman”! This, to me, is evidence that your journey through this illness will be used to glorify God! God’s Word is so complete on all topics if His word is read with faith and belief in our God. You are such an amazing woman and I continue to pray God’s blessings and healing power on you and thank Him that he does lead us and that He goes before us in the steps needed for healing. God hears our prayers and God’s will is done, but if we can’t “Be still and Listen”, how can we possibly allow Him to lead our way!
I continue to pray for God’s healing power for you and for comfort and faith for your family!
I learned sooo much (yet again) through your rsponse today, Heather. I’m failing to put into words the impact it has on me, so I’ll just say you challenge me to continue to grow.
What I reaaaally hope right now though (with all the hope that is in Jesus Christ) is this; for all the little miracles that “MacMan” may have been missing along the way, that today, RIGHT NOW, MacMan doesn’t miss the living God speaking to his (or her?) heart through your tender response. The God who will not leave you nor foresake you in the midst of this trial is the same God that sees “MacMan” at the bottom of a 100 foot stairway. Our God loves him so much that He will walk down 99 of those steps to meet MacMan right where he is, if only MacMan will take just ONE step in faith toward the living God. And to that end, I will pray.
Heather, I’m asking God to give you a miracle of healing, even as I trust in His will and plan. MacMan, if you read this, consider Matt 26:39.
And he went a little farther, and fell on his face, and prayed, saying, O my Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me: nevertheless not as I will, but as thou wilt.
We *can* submit to God’s will while at the same time revealing our hearts to Him where our hopes and desires for Heather are concerned.
(((Love to you, Heather))).
Blessings,
~Toni~
so very well said. I found your blog from Holy Experience blog…..
I so believe in miracles…. what you posted was so right on~ God works His will in our lives in so many different ways and so often we do not understand …but we are to TRUST.
I am praying for you and will be back often…
Lifting you up to the Father, Heather~
Thank you for taking the time to respond with respect and boldness. Thank you for allowing God to work in and through you amidst the circumstances. Many have been touched and educated as a result.
Praying for you!
very well said Heather…
..and it a blessing and inspiration how you handled such “insensitive inquiry” with so much grace and compassion… what a testimony of faith …what a reflection of Jesus ….
By the way, I’m not sure if someone already suggested to you to read Lance Armstrong’s book on his life..I can’t remember the title of the book, but it’sabout his journey on his brain cancer …and needless to say - he not only survived, he overcame and was victorious. I’ll try to title and will link it here later. In the meantime, take care of yourself..get a lot of rest…I know this can be draining..not just physically but emotionally and psychologically as well…
HUGS….
Heather,
I couldn’t get you off of my mind all through worship this morning as we sang about God as our Healer. I kept lifting you up in prayer - you were bathed and covered in my prayers to God today….
What a terrific response. It is all about the sanctification process. You going through this, your family and friends, readers watching. God uses everything in our lives to refine us. Bless you as you go the distance so that God may say “well done, my faithful servant” when you finally finish the race He has eet before you.
Amen Sistah!! I believe all good and perfect things come from God and that includes medical care. Praying and thinking of you today.
I can only echo what Toni said. I pray that your response strikes a chord in MacMan’s heart.
God bless you, Heather. You and your loved ones are in my prayers.
Great response girl! Having an attitude such as your commenter would lead me to believe that it would be “thwarting” God’s will to assist in Third World Countries, and offer assistance to the elderly, and sending missionaries out to spread His Love and His Word. And doesn’t that lead us back to Karma? God has gifted Dr’s and Surgeons with the ability to help heal. And in turn made that available to us. If God is leading you to the Mayo Clinic, besides for the obvious reasons, I am sure there are many lives there you are meant to touch with your story. If I were you I wouldn’t miss it for the world!
I think we are mistaken if we believe that everthing that is man-made is from man’s intellect alone. God inspires men and women here on earth and he uses us and the things we create to bless the lives of people all around us. “Modern” medicine is one of those things. God made the universe, why shouldn’t we take full advantage of the blessings he has given us?
Amen, Heather. Well said!
God works the way HE wants to work, WHERE HE wants to work. Sometimes it’s through the gift of faith for miracles, sometimes it’s through Divine guidance through mazes of allopathic medicine, sometimes it’s through herbs or diet changes. Let God lead and let God be God!
His plans are not our plans and His ways are not our ways . . . it is hard to grasp that when something like this happens. You have done an awesome job of explaining it. You were on my mind, too, this morning at church as we sang How Great is Our God. His blessings continue to flow over all of us.
Beautiful! Absolutely beautiful. I do not have the grace that you do to respond so respectfully to someone who is not walking in your shoes. You prove over and over again that you are not on this journey alone, that our Savior is by your side and this is God’s will to seek the medicine he has bestowed on us.
Truly beautiful and inspiring you are in this trial you are facing.
Prayers are coming your way from Lansing, Michigan.
God Bless you!
Your response, Heather, was sensitive and gracious. The position of your heart in replying to the email a testimony that your ear is firmly pressed into the Word of God.
It is absolute truth that with God nothing is impossible. It is also equally true that with God nothing is predictable. That’s why He is God and we are not. His ways are not our ways. His ways are mysterious. And the miracle of faith is trusting Him when everything looks like a dead end or a detour. God is sovereign. He sees the beginning from the end, nothing escapes His eye. We are finite beings with vision problems… :)
My prayers for you and your family continue AND they include asking Him to protect your heart and mind from any attempts of the enemy or any human to sidetrack or discourage you through insensitive assumptions or judgements. When my son’s cancer treatment continued to escalate there was also an increase of “well meaning” strangers determined they knew what was best for him and what was causing his disease. I’ll never forget receiving an email that declared me to be an “incompetent Christian” because “God’s will does not include bone marrow transplants.” Well, I believe God chooses when His children return to Him and without the transplant He had a matter of weeks. Now, six years later his life continues to declare His power to save.
The Psalms proclaim that your times are in His hands…may you feel the grip of His fingers holding you and the strong, safe, and secure foundation within His palm.
Hi Heather. This morning in church you were on my heart and mind so much- as if you were a friend in my real life and not just someone I’ve read about. Isn’t that incredible about the body of Christ? I cried for you and prayed for you.
I love your response to the email you received. Well-worded, respectful, and intelligent. Jesus used mud in a healing of the blind man. He didn’t NEED mud to heal, yet he used it. The Mayo clinic, medicine, chemo, etc. may all be today’s form of the mud Jesus uses.
Praying for you daily.
Amen. And many prayers and blessings headed your way. I found you through Ann at Holy Experience.
I think about all the different ways people were healed in the Bible and I believe they are accounted for so we would realize that we shouldn’t put Him in a box, His miracles and His healings come in so many different ways–a women who was healed just by believing if she touched his garment she would be healed, people’s faith healing them, Jesus’s touch or spoken word, Jesus laying hands twice on a blind man, Jesus spitting in mud and putting it on a man’s eyes and then sending him to a certain pool, and so many other examples.
What a wonderful woman you are, and thank you for sharing your journey with us.
Love and peace,
Shelley
God is the ultimate healer! The knowledge and the tools available to doctors and nurses are from God. He will heal you, just as He has done for your daughter, Emma Grace.
Heather,
We are again reminded of how God’s instruction is so very crucial yesterday… today… and forever!! God’s Word is clear and without a doubt a guide for us all. To spend time in His Word is healing in of its self… those “small” healings… miracles you mentioned so beautifully.
I love to have a dialog opened and presented before me to share the Mighty God we serve!!! Thank you for sharing this testimony with us on this day… it is something we can all ponder and share with others. In the end God receives all the Glory for times such as this!!
Thinking of you today and lifting your family up in prayer!!
**Lots of Hugs**
Deborah
Praying for you and your family. Believe in miracles and let the doctors help you. Trust that God will work for the best.
A woman in our church at a brain tumor as well (not sure which kind though) and she and her family prayed a scripture throughout their whole experience. I believe it is Psalm 30:2. She also went through some treatments at the hospital.
God isn’t saying not to seek medical treatments… Love from Canada.
Heather - I think the Lord is already using this to bring blessing. Your response comes from a heart filled with love and grace. It cannot help but minister to anyone who reads it. I am hurt for you that such a question should be asked and amazed at the grace with which you have handled it.
I,too, am praying for a miracle of healing for my family - but I also pray for those who are doing research and for a cure. Who knows how the miracle will come? God can work in any way He chooses.
You have been on my heart and in my prayers all the time. May you know the peace of His presence in a very real way. He loves you.
Very well put. He is Jehovah Rapha, and He is STILL the God who heals!
Very well said, Heather.
Good for you to address this out in the open, and with such grace. My answer wouldn’t have been nearly as gracious.
I believe God controls everything that happens to me, yet I still wear a seatbelt and have insurance. I really doubt that means I don’t walk in faith. I think it’s called using common sense.
(See, I told you I couldn’t be as gracious! It just drives me crazy when somebody chooses a time like this to make judgmental statements. It crawls all over me!)
And of course I’m still praying for you, and am excited for some amazing things to start happening!
Heather, you are soooo gracious.
John 10:10 says, “The thief (Satan) comes only to steal, and kill, and destroy; I (Jesus)came that they (that’s us) might have life (zoe–the life of God), and might have it abundantly.
Jesus spoke these words to us. He came to defeat the snake satan, to crush his head, who is the father of darkness and lies, the evil one, the accuser of the breathern. Jesus defeated the evil one for us when he died on the cross and went to hell in our place to defeat the enemy. PRAISE GOD!!!!
III John 2 says, “Beloved I pray that in all respects you may propser and be in good health, just as your soul prospers.”
It is God’s will for us to be in health, but we are in a fallen world as a result of sin–not necessarily our sin, but because sin has entered the world, through the first Adam. While we are in this world we feel the affect of sin, even though we have been made righteous by the precious blood of Jesus.
I believe that the Lord has given us knowledge in these latter days that facilitates healing–modern medicine. In the Old Testament the prophets said that in the latter days “man would increase in knowledge”. I truly believe this is part of the fullfilment of this prophetic utterence. We do not want to put God in a box and say that is the only method of his healing power (modern medicine). A miracle is a miracle, regardless of how our loving Father manifests it for us. It is a supernatural happening!
I believe your miracle has already started–getting an appointment at Mayo Clinic within two weeks!!!! What a miracle!! Thank you Lord, we praise you for this wonderful miracle that only you could provide. Just look at what has happened in less than one week–the speed at which all your tests were done, a quick diagnosis. The speed at which all of this has occurred has totally amazed me. What a miracle!
Heather, just stand back and watch the glory of the Lord take place in your life. I know your steps are ordered by the Lord. He will guide you and your family with all the decisions that are ahead of you, that is a promise to us, because you are acknowledging Him in all your ways and He IS directing your paths!
I don’t know why righteous people, like you, have to go through stuff like this. We had a pastor tell us once, that when we are born again, we are created in the image of God and because the enemy can’t get to God he attacks God’s children, that’s us. The great I AM is the creator of the universe, He knows you better than anyone else in the entire universe, He has the hairs on your head numbered. What an awesome God we serve.
Just know many, many friends, known and unknown, are praying for you. The prayers of the righteous avail much!
Father, in the precious name of Jesus, I bring Heather before you right now. I place her in your care. Father, I ask that all the decisions that have been made and all the future decisions will be totally guided by Your awesome hand. Father, comfort Heather and her family by your sweet Holy Spirit, give them peace and joy in the middle of this terrible storm. May they be a testamony to your wonderful love to everyone they will come in contact with. Father, I pray for all the medical staff that will be caring for her, you will anoint them with supernatural knowledge to know just the perfect treatment to speed Heather’s recovery. Father I ask that you provide for Heather and her family supernaturally for their spiritual, mental, physical, financial, emotional and social needs. Thank you Father, for the great circle of friends and family that is surrounding her and praying for her. Father, I pray this in the mighty name of Jesus, which is above every name, even the name of brain tumor! Praise the name of the Lord. Amen!
Bless you for your grace under such tremendous pressure.I am praying for your healing whatever means God chooses to use.Whether it be by man’s medical assistance or by His miraculous touch.A healing is a miracle either way.
I believe you are fulfilling God’s will for your life.You are touching many people with your testimony of you and your daughter.You are speaking His love and grace to anyone who will listen.I pray abundant blessing on you and your family.And for macman,I pray that God will bless him with understanding,wisdom and mercy.
PREACH IT SISTER!
((SIS)) Once again I am in awe of your Strength, your Grace, and you writing abilities! Your Rock!
You were lifted up in prayer today in our Church! We are all thinking of you and the family!
Love you!
Amen. Amen. Amen. Amen.
Through reading your amazing response to this question, I can feel your faith. Let it continue to remain so strong Heather..you are a phenomenal sister in Christ!
May the Lord bless you immensely through this time of weakness. Praying for you and His Will.
Leanne
PS- in case you haven’t yet read this blog I’d thought I’d send you the link…
http://wilhoite.blogspot.com/index.html
Another sister going through a difficult time with cancer, but who is staying faithful!!
Heather,
Thank you for handling such questions in a way that Christ would have. My husband and I are of the minds that we are given challenges in our lives to learn from, triumph over and use as a testimony to others on how the Lord has worked in our lives. Thank you for sharing your experiece with us so that we can all lift you and your family up in prayer.
Isn’t it amazing how the Lord can take sin, doubt, confusion, etc. and COMPLETELY redeem it to our good?! I’m sure you’re better off having answered that question than if it had never been asked it. ;)
With all due respect, perhaps your questioner simply has a very short perspective; some folks can’t see that our journeying is important — a means to an end (speaking of sanctification rather than salvation).
Your journey now includes fighting mortal death will all that is in your being until the Lord reveals to you something else. Fight on! You’re in my prayers at every remembrance (which is very often throughout the day).
Get well ’cause I’m going to need a blog design later this year; I’ll wait. ;)
The Lord bless you and keep you; the Lord make His face to shine upon you, and give you peace.
So, so proud of you for your gracious and eloquent response, Heather! Just like Sarah said, I wouldn’t have been so.
Your Christ-likeness is oozing all over, blessing people left and right. I am continuing to pray, awaiting God’s hand moving. Thank you for being faithful and handling this whole situation with a gentle and winsome spirit.
You are precious to so many. May you feel the cover of the prayers on your behalf.
This is a lovely responce, a loving responce too to the comment. I know when my husband’s kidneys failed we recieved e-mails of the same vein.
But like in Job, it is’t about what others are saying - it’s about what God is saying to you.
Beautiful responce, and I read it while I was listoning to your song . . . perfect.
Perfect.
God has worked miracles in my life through the hands of physicians. My two babies are living proof that God heals, and God performs miracles.
Thanks for writing this. It was good to read it.
I have been thinking and praying for you all week, although I have yet to comment. I have been left speechless and not quite sure what to say. I know words can be so trite at moments like these.
My own heart has done some deep soul searching and questioning on your behalf. Your testimony, honesty, vulnerability and openness in the midst of this is truly an example of the God we serve! I can hear in your words that you want to be sure God receives the glory… in all things. May I assure you, He is!
May you sense God and His presence in ways never before experienced!
What a beautiful response to such thoughts and questions!!! Praying you sense God’s hand upon you and His Spirit with you each moment!
Continuing to pray and lift you and your family…
Oh Heather, Well done! Well said!
People forget that Our God can and will use many different avenues to bring about His Perfect will. That will may not be ours, but it will be perfect. And going to the doctor will not thwart God’s will. It was going to the doctor in the first place that gave you insight into the beginning of this journey, why would God change tactics now, although He can at any moment. He is Lord!
Another avenue that unbelievers do not understand is to die for the believer is to be healed completely. To die for the believer in Jesus is as Paul said, Gain. I remember finally getting to that place in my hospital bed and releasing myself to the Lord Jesus and His will. He knew better than me what my husband and my children needed to have in their lives to be the men and women of God HE calls them to be. If accomplishing that meant to do it without me,so be it. Getting to that place of surrender gave me Peace I had never known and hope I had never imagined. I did die on the table for about five minutes. That was 26 years ago. God had a mighty plan! SO much bigger than I even imagined. God wanted me to homeschool my children ( I hadn’t even finished High School nor did I know about Homeschooling at the time) and I taught them through High School. My husband was not a believer at the time. He became a Pastor. I have seven grandchildren! And I live those “26 years” as a gift I never expected to possess.
My mom had two types of renal and colon cancers very advanced. They told her if they got everything (which they did not think they would)the absolute best prognosis she could dream of was seven more years at best, probably only two or three. It has been 16 years now, she is still going strong. When she had her surgery my neice was pregnant with my mom’s first Great Grandchild, she now has 14 great grandchildren.
You responded so very well. We may never know the reason, but we will see God glorified.
Because of Jesus, Bobbie
Great response and obviously BIBLICALLY based!
Praying for you and spreading the word to other believers to pray as well! Much love and prayers!
Tracy
Heather that was an awesome and gracious response. Just a short note to let you know that you are in my prayers.
“Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness.” Isaiah 41:10
Great job explaining that miracles and medicine are NOT mututally exclusive! Continuing to pray for you in Ohio.
Wonderful answer. I hope he “gets it”. I brought Amy Wilhoite’s situation to my SS class a few weeks ago and the evangelist who was with us that week anointed me and prayed for Amy. It was an amazing experience. I was just sure Amy was going to post that week that she was completely healed. She had been “given” two months to live. She was not instantly healed, but her progress has been steady every day since. I believe that is part of God’s miracle!
My son’s deliverance from heroin addiction, almost dying 5 times, is a series of miracles that we didn’t even see at the time. He and I are writing about it and are on Part 6 right now.
As you’ve said, and I say so often GOD IS OOD! ALL THE TIME!
Wow, what a gracious and spiritual response to someone so unkind! I know a few (only 2-3, thankfully) people who seem to have learned the scriptures in the Bible only to allow the devil to use them to stir up dissension with other Christians. “MacMan” seems to relish attempting to be a “stumbling block” to others. To succeed, he would have had to have found someone with far less faith than you. I’m so sorry, Heather, about all of this. But, this I know, God created the brilliant doctors in this world just like He has you and I. He hears his children when they pray and intervenes on their behalf. Maybe you are going through this trial because some of the rest of us need to walk closer with God and step up here to meet this challenge for you. So many care about you and are praying fervently for your healing. Know that you are loved and we care. God bless.
Terri
Sinking Spring, OH
God is using you to touch lives.
Wow…even in the midst of all you are experiencing you take the patience, time and caring to teach others about the Bible and the word of God. I wonder who this person reeally is and what they are trying to say. I agree with one of the other commenters, doctors and surgeons are gifts from God..and they are not to be ignored when we need them. Take care my friend and stay strong!
I agree with my niece, Sarah. My answer wouldn’t have been nearly as gracious. Thank you for sharing your very well thought out response with us.
Heather –
I was thinking of you in Sunday School this morning when this verse was what I read. Matthew 9:12 “When Jesus heard that, He said to them, ‘Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick.’ ”
You have the need for a physician. God gave them to us for a purpose. Use that gift from God and be blessed!!
Heather, you have an excellent understanding of Scripture. :) I too, believe that God can and does crazy, unexplainable physical miracles. But you are so right…all we can do is ask humbly, knowing that God will give us exactly what we need, regardless of what we think that is. :)
I am praying for you still.
–Tiff
Heather, Last night I sat and read your blog for about two hours. I nearly wept. I talked with my sister about you for quite some time this morning. I firmly believe, whther you are healed of your tumor or not, God has ALREADY used it in you for a purpose. You gave me goosebumps while I was reading through your blog. Your trust in God is amazing, and I am in awe of it. I can only hope more people learn about God through this situation. I am sorry you are going through this, and for all you have been through, but I am not sorry for the wonderful things that have come, and are still coming out of this! To God be the Glory!! Prayers for you and your family!
I’m sorry that you received that email, incredibly insensitive.
You said, “How did you come to the conclusion that the medical advantages we have been blessed aren’t a provision from a loving God?”
They are. I attended a birth this week where a friend labored for nearly 48 hours. In the end, after pushing for 3 hours, her baby was delivered by c-section. He was stuck, plain and simple. Without modern medical intervention, I don’t know what would have happened, but I can imagine that mother and baby could have died. These sorts of advances in medicine are truly gifts from God.
I believe in every single word you said.
I too have a child with a heart defect, and that has taught me how to beieve in miracles.
Please don’t let other people discourage you, as I see you have not, live for yourself!
Much love
I am in such amazement of you and your family. I thank you for your strength and your undeniable faith in Christ. I am reaching for your faith and reading about you has helped me. I do not wish your situation on anyone…and I do not claim to understand…I do know this: You are a bright light for Christ. You shine even when others would get angry and retaliate. For this, I thank you. You share the Word of God in such a manner it makes me want to soak up more. For this, I thank you. So, my friend, I am praying for you and hugging you all the way in TN! :)
You’re truly an amazing powerful woman!
Thank you! You said all of that so well. I am sorry that there are such insensitive people in this world. But, alas, none of us are perfect. I believe doctors were given a special gift and I believe that special gift came from God.
There is no box big enough for our GOD!!! You keep the faith Heather. I have been praying for you since Boomama linked you on her site. Sometimes the thorns are blessings - we just have to figure out how God intends them for good.
Good job Heather! I’m so glad you didn’t respond in a negative way to that question :)Our God is truly an AWESOME God and I’m praying that His provision for you at the Mayo Clinic will blow you away.
Great response Heather. I’m sure it stung to read that comment but I’m so glad you wrote a response and shared it with all of us.
We are all here cheering you on because the God we all believe in, the one that cannot be put in a box, is here bringing us all together to love on you.
I think part of Macman’s misunderstanding may stem from a belief that the “this” that comes from God is the cancer. Macman says, if cancer is from God, why should we seek to heal it?
But we don’t believe the cancer is from God. Sickness (death) came into the world with sin - which is why Adam and Eve were banished from the tree of life. We all suffer the effects of sin - it is handed down through the generations. It is inescapable. It doesn’t mean that Heather did something really bad and so she got cancer. It means Heather lives in a fallen world and Heather got cancer.
But, God works in the midst of the suffering. He does not forsake us, but uses all things for the good of those who love Him. God’s will for Heather will be attained, cancer or not. God will be with Heather, cancer or not. God will use Heather, cancer or not.
But, because of the combination of Heather’s love for God and her scary situation, she will likely draw even closer to God. She shares this with us and that glorifies God. It points us to God, and that is God’s will.
Thanks for printing a public response to the email! You just blessed my socks off! I am living proof in both the power of God and the power of God through medicine! I cried out to Him to save me right before they put me under for an emergency C-Section with my first baby girl due to placental abruption. I made it through amazingly well and Had God wanted to take me then, I think He would have. But, He wasn’t finished with me yet and has since allowed me to use that circumstance to minister to others. He is using you in a mighty way, Heather! Thank you for being so open with all of us and sharing you heart! You are reaching more people for Christ than you know! Praying for you!
Good!! Heather!
Even in trial you are beyond gracious. My continued prayers.
There’s nothing I can add that hasn’t been said. You are inspiring. Thank you for allowing God to shine through you!
MacMan,
If you are just seeking or genuinely asking, I hope Heather’s answer helped you to see her perspective and her sincere faith in the God who loves us all. I hope you don’t feel atacked by her fan club here. We just love her so much, we are committed to pray for her, and we so do not want to see her discouraged. She’s got plenty on her plate. Thanks for trying to understand. - Dee Dee
Amen. Praying for you and your dear family!
Heather, I am learning so much from you and drawing such strength in your time of struggle.
God created us all, physicians included. He gave physicians their abilities and access to knowledge. Physicians and the grace of God have saved my children as He did your Emma Grace. What sin could be found therein?
My prayers and hugs continue. Your faith is a gift to us all.
Heather ~
I am new to your blog. Just from reading a few entries I can tell you are a very strong woman. You are beautiful, as is your family. I am sorry to hear of all the pain that is going on in your life. I to have walked the bumpy roads you are walking. My situation is no where near yours, but I believe pain is pain. No matter how big or small. I can contest to the pain you felt standing with your daughter in the ICU. I have 2 sets of twins and my youngest who are 17 months were born 9 weeks premature. We spend 26/40 days in the NICU. By the time my son was 4 months old he needed hernia surgery. By the time My daughter was 9 months and my son was 10 months they both under went total reconstrunction of their skulls because they had craniosynostosis - premature closure of the soft spots. There is no worse feeling then to hand you child over to a surgical team. I am sure you daughters surgery took awhile. Ours last 7 hours.
I do believe everything you go through makes you a stronger person. You’ve been through a lot. God acts in weird ways. I questioned him A LOT when we were hit with all of my youngest medical issues. Everyone told me he only gives you as much as you can handle, but boy, he sure stretches you to the limit.
God has plans for you. I believe he will help you, and your beautiful family through this. I have faith.
Mayo is a great place.You will do just fine.
We will keep you in our prayers.
Hugs to you.
I just have to say that God does still perform miracles. I have a brother to prove it. He was paralyzed, told he wouldn’t walk again and he does now! It was medically impossible!
Again Heather your grace astounds me!!! My friend starts chemo this morning for breast cancer. I shall show her your posts to lift her up! Thank you for the gift that you are to all of us!!!
I must say you handled that with more grace than I would have! In a format for you to pour out your inmost feelings, (this is in a small sense, a form of therapy) you handled that incredibly well. I believe that God created medicine and doctors, so it is for Him to use as He desires. Can God perform an instaneous, dramatic miracle? Absolutely! Does He always? Absolutely not! The older and hopefully wiser I get, I realize that all of life is an opportunity to reflect the heart of Christ. It’s amazing the things that God allows and what He uses to accomplish that goal. We never know the range of influence we have until God puts us in a particuliar situation. We may never know how our trials and struggles here on earth encouraged someone or even helped lead them to salvation in Christ! We can only stand tall because we are propped up with the grace that comes from God alone!
Connie in Texas
God is glorifying himself so much through you. I feel you needed to know that from an outside source.
LOVE in Christ,
Jenn
Wonderful answers. You reminded me somewhat of Sharach. Meshach, and Abednago said in Daniel 3 to Nebuchadnezzar, “Our God is able to deliver us, but if not….” God is more than able to deliver through whatever means He chooses, but if not, He has promised to be with us, to give grace to help in time of need, to uphold us.
Macman seems to be suffering from the fatalistic view that if God is in control of everything then we shouldn’t do anything, but that (the latter half of that) is completely contrary to Scripture. Time and time again Scripture shows God’s working through man’s actions and man acting in harmony with God’s will. God is sovereign and in control — nothing happens to us without His permission. But it is not thwarting His control to then seek His wisdom and means in handling this — all along you have acknowledged His control and His will and are seeking His wisdom in all of this.
This is my first time commenting since learning of the tumor but I have prayed and will continue to do so, and though in one sense I hate like everything that your family has to experience the tumor and everything that goes with it, I am rejoicing at the manifestation of His grace poured out in your lives.
Oops, that should be Shadrach, not Sharach.
Thank you for sharing some of the most wonderful worhip songs and music (you posted in your sidebar).
Just want you to know, I ma now wearing a LIVE STRONG yellow armband with a written note “Praying for Heather”. I believe that just as Lance Armstrong survived his trial when had the rain tumor, you too will come out victorious on this.
Our God is a BIG God!
I’m adding this post to my favorites, as it is the first meaningful perspctive on, as a person of faith, using medical resourses to acheive healing. I’ve struggled with this balance for many years as we decide to what extent we will seek medical help for a health issue in my life. I’m in tears as I feel like so many of my prayers have been answered through your gracious response to macman. We’ve prayed for direction from the Lord, clear direction, and as I read through the scripture you posted, I’m finally sensing some direction. Thank you for sharing your journey with so many you don’t even know. You are a blessing.
Excellent post. You are already growing in your faith. There is a purpose in all things. I pray that your healing is near.
Amen and again I say AMEN! Preach it girl and may God hold you in the palm of his hand, caress and bless you and heal you body, mind and spirit.
Hugs and prayers!
THis is way too long (especially for a first time commenter!), but this kinda stuff just sticks in my craw.
Excellent response. Gracious, kind, and thoughtful. I am praying for you and your family, posting your story on my blog, and asking my church’s prayer ministry to pray as well.
Something that strikes me is that in this experience you (and He that is in you) will have touched the lives of doctors, technicians, nurses, PAs, etc. Every touch allows the Holy Spirit to move in them and through them to you. Medical professionals who follow Christ have the opportunity to know him more, to serve him with the work of their hands, to pray for you, etc. Their faith is encouraged b/c of working with you.
And in sharing your story here, you have connected with hundreds of people, giving us the chance to spend time in prayer, and to give of our time and money to the work of God in your life. We are blessed to see Jesus in you and have the opportunity to try to be a little Jesus *to* you.
That is what the Body of Christ is all about. We live out our faith in front of those who don’t know our God. They see how we can “praise Him in the storm” and how we rally around our brothers and sisters in love.
And we also just plain live out our faith. It is one thing to say we believe in a good God, but here’s where the rubber meets the road for us. We must love you practically with words and money (yay Boomama!) and time. We must remember to praise our good God and to plead with him on your behalf.
Just think how much goodness would have been missed if you had just sat in your room and said, “Well, I guess this tumor is the will of God for me.”
Dear Sister in Christ, He knows your needs.
Sit on His lap, hold His hand tight and rest in the peace of HIS comfort and Love.
I am praying for you and your loved ones.
And all those you will touch through this that will bring Him glory.
Heather,
first of all I don’t expect you to have or make the time to respond to this unless you absolutely want to. It’s not going to hurt my feelings because I know your life is crazy insane right now. I am now an 11 year survivor of breast cancer who was completely healed. I tell everyone who will listen about my healing experience, bu part of my healing was two surgeries, 12 rounds of chemo and 42 rounds of radiation. Medecine does not negate healing, and it is no reflection of your amount of faith if God chooses to heal you through the use of modern medecine. It also doesn’t make it any less miraculous then instantaneous healing. It will mean that you will have a special ministry that will touch so many people who have walked your path. I can minister to many people, but those I touch most deeply or those who “know” about chemo and radiation and all the things we share because that is exactly who God ordained me to minister before the dawn of time. Someone earlier in the comments referenced Daniel and his three friends in the furnace. Some people will be delivered from ever entering that furnace, and some of us have to walk through the fire, and only God fully understands why, but I have no doubt that He will make clear the path that is yours.
You and your family are in our prayers.
pictures of brenda songs…
I Googled for something completely different, but found your page…and have to say thanks. nice read….