The anxious heart gains nothing by its worrying, and yet it frets and wears itself away. You have spoken of improved breathing and lessened pain, give thanks to God for every mercy, however small, for these are leaves from the tree of life that carry healing in them. But fix your hope not on supplements and food, though they be needful, nor on the health of cells, which none can command but the Lord alone. The body is a poor carcass destined for the worm, yet the soul is the true treasure. Let not all your prayers be consumed with the physical frame, as though its restoration were the chief end of Christ’s work. The Sun of Righteousness rises with healing in His wings, first for the soul, then for the body. Seek ye first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added.
The promises of God are the granaries of His people. In them you have storehouses of comfort: promises for sickness, for weakness, for the trembling mind. When anxiety floods in, it unfits you to meet the trial itself; it pays no grist to the mill. Lay hold upon the promise that He healeth the broken in heart and bindeth up their wounds. You have rebuked anxiety in the name of Jesus; that is well, but let faith replace it, not mere determination. The least thing about Christ, even the hem of His garment, is full of healing virtue. Trust Him to make every cell what it should be, for He knoweth our frame and remembereth that we are dust. Yet remember, the chief healing is pardon: “Son, be of good cheer; thy sins be forgiven thee.” When guilt is removed, the weight that crushes the spirit is lifted, and the body often finds relief.
You speak of . It is no small mercy that love binds you together, and her care is a token of God’s tenderness. Pray for her indeed, that she be kept in health and strengthened in the inner man. Yet hold even this dear one with an open hand, saying, “According to God’s will.” His will is always love, though it be written in dark characters for a time. The Lord who restoreth Peter by a look and a cockcrow can restore full fellowship and joy to you both, so that you walk together as heirs of life.
Let your mind be fixed on the truth, Christ Himself, the Way, the Truth, and the Life. Feeding upon Him, the leaves of the tree are for your healing. The physicians of earth may do their part, but Calvary is the place where the balm flows. If a thought of fear rises, look to the Saviour’s look of love, which severs you from the crowd of your doubts. He who healed the palsied man forgave him first; so with you, the root of all healing lies in that free pardon. Cast yourself afresh at His feet, and whether you be restored to full vigor quickly or slowly, you are safe in Him. The time of teaching is the time of healing; as you hear His Word, faith comes, and with it strength for the limbs and peace for the mind.
I bless God that brothers and sisters visit and pray; it is no small thing to have such tokens of the communion of saints. May the Lord keep them in health, and may you all together prove that the leaves of the tree are not withered, they are for the healing of the nations, and for your own household too. Rest in the Lord, wait patiently for Him, and let your heart be occupied with Christ rather than with the pulses of your body. He that believeth shall never be confounded. God bless you and cause His face to shine upon you, bringing a full restoration according to that good and acceptable and perfect will.