Shalom: A Prosperous Soul?

² Beloved, I pray that all may go well with you and that you may be in good health, as it goes well with your soul. 3 John 1:2 (ESV)

The physical health is often reflected in our spiritual health and the health of our soul.  For instance broken heartedness is known to be so linked that there are those who have said, “They died of a broken heart.”  Somewhere in our soul, summed up as the mind, will, and emotions, dwells our will to live and seat of our emotions which has great effect on our well-being.

God’s will is our healing.  This is a belief I hold through scriptural interpretation of several scriptures (Psalm 103:3, Mark 9:23-29, 1 Peter 2:24, Isaiah 54:3-5, Exodus 15:26, Matthew 8:17) and the evidence presented in the ministry of Jesus and His disciples as they walked the earth. In biblical times healing was commonplace to believers. However we are left with the question of why so many are not healed today.

Jesus healed everyone.  Not in the same way necessarily, but no one who asked to be healed was turned away.  There were even those who did not ask.  Like the man who lay by the pool of Bethesda for thirty-eight years.  Of all the people who must have been there Jesus healed him.    Some were healed by laying on of hands, others by a spoken word, or their obedience to go and wash.

“Go,” he told him, “wash in the Pool of Siloam” (this word means Sent). So the man went and washed, and came home seeing.  John 9:7 NIV

What if the man had not gone to wash?

After the crucifixion, death, resurrection, and  ascension of Jesus Christ His apostles took on the authority to heal others as they were empowered by the Holy Spirit.  Throughout the book of acts and in the Epistles there is record of people who were healed.  Although their healing could have been instantaneous, or the result of a process commanded by the one appropriating the healing ministry, they were healed.  The shadow of Peter due to the strength of the anointing of the Holy Spirit healed others as he just passed by them. (Acts 15:12-16) Cloths that had been touched and worn by Paul held healing properties.  (Acts 19:12)

An example of a man who received healing immediately is the father of Publius. He was instantly healed when Paul laid his hands upon him and prayed for healing. (Acts 28:7-9) Others who were healed as they followed through with the commands of those exercising healing ministry were Aeneus and the Lame man.  When the Lame man asked for alms Peter and John said they had none to give, but they commanded him to get up and walk and so he did. (Acts 3:1-10) When Peter spoke to Aeneus the words “Jesus Christ heals you get up and take care of your mat.” As the man arose he was healed. (Acts 9:32-35)

These are all supporting examples of God’s will to heal, but what about those who were not.  What about Paul and his bout with illness?

Theologically speaking one cannot ignore that there was a possible illness in the guise of a “thorn in the flesh” which Paul had and although he had prayed multiple times was not relieved of. (2 Corinthians 12:7) He also wrote to the Galatians about an illness.  (Galatians 4:12-20) This shows that the will of God prevails over the how, when, why, and the way in which one is healed. A healing can come to complete fruition in minutes, days, or years, and either on this earth or on the other side of glory.

There is also an instance where a friend of Paul, Trophimus, was left sick. The common belief is that Paul would have wanted to heal His friend. However, the Lord had another plan regarding Trophimus.  Another portion of this theological point of view is in reflection upon those who leave this earthly realm having died due to disease.  Why are there those who battle cancer and are healed, and then those whom believed God would heal them and they passed on?

Somewhere in the intricacies of the make up of a man lies an answer to that question when we recall that the spirit, soul, and body makeup the whole man.

I have battled Fibromyalgia now since 2005.  Over the many years God has led me through a healing process which has led to much healing.  However, I am not made whole.  In fact I actually take a medication called Cymbalta which is known for treating Depression.  The ads speak, “Depression hurts.”  The medication is used for Fibromyalgia as it targets the nervous system.  On stressful days I hurt more than others.  This is a clear indication that what is happening in the soul has an effect on our body.

God wills us to prosper and be in health as we see in the focus on today’s look at Shalom.  He also wants us to prosper spiritually, and in the soul man. In our focal scripture the word prosperous (G2137) is defined by Strong’s Concordance as “help on the road, to succeed in reaching, and a prosperous journey.”  Beloved, where are you in your healing journey, and do you find your soul prosperous? <#Melinda