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Today,
our world faces the challenge of a large array of
dreaded diseases. The increase in the number of
specialty hospitals and diagnostic centers all over the
world is an evidence. The irony is that people are more
concerned about the physical infirmities than about
mental or emotional ailments. Therefore, the former gets
maximum attention; people assume that the latter will
disappear gradually. We are wise and diligent enough to
fix our domestic appliances on time. But we play down
the importance of resolving a crack in a relationship in
the family. Mental and emotional problems should also be
considered as dreaded as any kind of physical illness.
Medicine can cure or provide temporary relief but God’s
healing leads to complete restoration. Only God can
bring a restoration to our relationships. God is our
healer. One of His names is Jehaova Rapha – "the One who
heals you" (Ex. 15:26) when God revealed Himself in the
Old Testament. Healing was very much evident in Jesus
Christ’s earthly ministry. “When the sun was setting,
the people brought to Jesus all who had various kinds of
sickness, and laying his hands on each one, He healed
them”. (Luke 4:40). Healing the sick was an important
part of the earthly ministry of Jesus. The Apostles
kicked off their witness to Jesus by restoring a
cripple. "Gifts of healing" is one of the gifts of the
Holy Spirit (1 Cor. 12:9).
No medicine has been invented so far that restores a
broken relationship save the mercy and power of God. The
restoration of broken relationships takes place only
with the intervention and help of God. His power gives
us the strength to forgive and forget our hurts and bad
memories.
The story of Joseph, son of Jacob, is a perfect example
for how God restores broken relationships (Gen 37-50).
When he was a teenager he was hated by his brothers for
two reasons - his father loved him more; and he dreamt
dreams that undermined them. He wasn't responsible for
either. Though he continued to love his brothers, their
hatred eventually caused them to sell him as a slave to
Ishmaelite merchants. He was further sold as a slave to
an Egyptian. He received the favour of his master and
was lifted up over all the servants of his household. He
could not continue for long in the same position. His
master's amorous wife, whose overtures he resisted
successfully, wrecked vengeance on him. He was
imprisoned on false charges of attempted rape.
During the journey of his life Joseph enjoyed the favour
of God irrespective of his position as a slave or a
prisoner. He had a clear conscience and he forgave all
who hated him. His complete trust in God brought
blessings and honour in his life. Bitterness in our
hearts blocks the blessings of God in our life. Joseph
was treated with high regard both in Potiphar’s house
and in the prison. God’s favour was upon him and in His
own time He lifted Joseph up over every one in Egypt.
When the brothers of Joseph came to buy grains during a
famine, Joseph was the prime minister of Egypt. The
human nature in Joseph reared its head when he saw his
brothers who deprived him of the love of his father and
all the facilities of his home. For a moment a spirit of
retaliation ruled over him. Memories of all his
isolation and hardships went through his mind. His
concern for his younger brother added strength to the
spirit of revenge in him. He put his brothers in prison
for three days (Gen. 42:17).
After imprisoning his brothers he went to the presence
of God for prayer. He understood that his relationship
with his brothers was broken. He was struggling to
forgive them. It took three days for Joseph to prepare
himself to receive the healing touch from God. Our
effort can’t help us to forget all the things that
people have done to us. We don’t have any medicine to
cure the wounds that people inflict on us. Though people
forgive it is hard for them to forget. But a touch from
God can heal completely all wounds and scars. On the
third day when Joseph came out of his room he was a
person who received healing from God for he expressed
his decision to release them for he feared God (Gen.
42:18).
Further, his brothers trembled with fear. They were
shocked and ashamed of their deeds when Joseph revealed
himself to them. But Joseph who received a perfect
healing and restoration from God took the initiative to
bring healing among them. He asked his brothers not to
be distressed and not to be angry with themselves for
selling him to Egypt. God had sent him to Egypt to keep
the Jacob family alive through a famine. He said: “It
was not you who sold me out here but God sent me here.”
He was imparting the power of healing that he received
to his brothers and their brotherly relationship was
restored.
The dreaded disease of cancer takes only one life but a
wounded relationship can take many lives. Let us not
play down the disaster that can be brought by a broken
relationship. Let us throw ourselves into the hands of
God that works mightily to make us whole. He is the One
who heals you.
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