Why Does God Heal Some And Not Others?

This afternoon my wife and I were watching a movie called "I Still Believe" about Jeremy Camp's brief 3 1/2 month marriage to Melissa, who died of cancer. They both believed in God for healing, and the cancer did disappear miraculously. But then it came back with a vengeance, and Melissa is now home with Jesus.

The movie took me right back to my marriage with my first wife Leni. Leni had breast cancer, 19 years. She was a fighter. The cancer had its ups and downs. For example, one day the cancer caused an infection, excruciatingly painful. During the night, the swollen infection site opened up, as though a doctor had lanced it. Blood poured everywhere. I took Leni to the hospital, where they stitched her up. The infection had completely disappeared! That was a miracle! Leni walked around the hospital encouraging and praying for people a few days, before she was able to come home. But in the end, the cancer spread, and took her.

Why did God heal her once, but later not? Why did He take her home? Why are some people healed, but others are not? I don't know the answer. As a chaplain, I believe God heals. I have seen him heal my wife. I have seen many healed. I had pneumonia in 2012 and I believe I was at death's door, slipping away, but God restored me. I know God heals.

God promises healing, He says "I am God your Healer" (Exodus 15:26). Everyone who came to Jesus for healing was healed (Matthew 8:16). So why does He heal one and not the other? Like I said, I do not know. But one thing He said to me in the hospital was "Do not fear, only believe." The day before Leni died, He said to me, "Don't ask me what will happen tomorrow, only believe."

The writer to the Hebrews tells us "The just shall live by faith" (Hebrews 10:38). Job says "Though He slay me, yet will I trust in Him" (Job 13:15). We trust God. No matter what the circumstances.

God is sovereign. He knows the big picture. He is at work, He never stops working. His purposes will be fulfilled. He knows why Melissa Camp died, and was taken home, just 18 months after Leni preceded her. One day as Jeremy Camp said, there will be no more tears. One day we will see Melissa, and Leni, and the countless others who died in Christ, on that glorious day when Jesus returns (1 Thessalonians 4:16-17). One day we will see Him as He is.

In the meanwhile, as we wait, we choose to trust God. It's a choice we make, to trust Him. In spite of our circumstances, in spite of our grief and heartache. And He comforts us in all our trouble, so we can comfort others in turn (2 Corinthians 1:4). Come, Lord Jesus! Sincerely, with love, Gerry van der Wende www.advancelifetransformation.com