Part XXXIII:  

Where's Your Faith? 

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     Is anyone among you in trouble? Let them pray. Is anyone happy? Let them sing songs of praise.  Is anyone among you sick? Let them call the elders of the church to pray over them and anoint them with oil in the name of the Lord.  And the prayer offered in faith will make the sick person well; the Lord will raise them up. If they have sinned, they will be forgiven.  Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective.   ~James 5:13-16

     That same morning Alex was surprised to find that he had overslept. After showering and a quick bite to eat he was about to head out the door when his phone rang.

     "Hello?"

     "Alex, thank God you're home," Bill breathed a sigh of relief.

     "Bill?  What's wrong?" 

     "It's Anna. Can you come over?"

     Alex noted the desperation in his voice and knew something was seriously wrong.  "I'm heading over there now."

     As he arrived at their house he found Bill waiting for him at the door.  "What's going on with Anna?"

     "She won't get out of bed, come see."

     Following Bill to their bedroom he found Anna in bed with the covers over her and the blinds closed.  Alex then knelt on the floor beside her.  "Anna, it's Alex, how are you?"

     No response came, just the sound of shuffling under the covers.  Alex then grabbed the top portion of the covers and began to slowly pull them back to see her face but Anna pulled them over her head again while saying, "I'm so cold."  

     "Anna, let me take a look at you," Alex softly instructed as he pulled the covers back again.

     "Alex, I look horrible," Anna stated weakly as she covered her face with her hands.  "I don't want you to see me like this."

     "Anna, please, let Alex take a look at you,"  Bill pleaded.

     At the urgency in his voice Anna gave in.  Alex noted how pale she looked and the dark circles under her eyes.  He could also tell that she had dropped more weight, and she looked even more fragile than the last time he had seen her, then reaching up he touched her forehead.  "Anna,  you are running a high fever.  Why don't we take you to the clinic and have Angela take a look at you?"

     Before she could respond Bill exclaimed, "No Alex, we don't receive that."

     At Bill's words Alex felt his temperature rising within.  Generally he was patient with Bill and others but it was short-lived when their beliefs appeared to disregard the wellbeing of others and even put them in danger.  Alex then got up and with a nod in Bill's direction indicated to him to step out of the room.  Once out of earshot he turned around to firmly address him.

     "She's fine?  Bill, she running a temperature and from my estimation it is dangerously high.  There is nothing wrong with stating the physical evidence before us.  Sure we don't base our faith from that and our circumstances but on the Word of the Lord and that runs beyond natural evidences, but it doesn't deny them.  Faith is in God and one can state physical evidences without losing our faith in Him.  The fact is that your wife is running a high fever.  Can God heal her without any human intervention?  Of course, but He does use his people too.  We are a body working together and this is Angela's area of expertise, to disregard how the Lord uses us as parts to his body will hurt us.  Furthermore, you need to let Anna speak for herself without the fear of what you would think of her or say to her.  She is very capable of hearing from the Lord for herself, although I have to wonder how much your influence would interfere with that process for it is apparent to me this isn't something she is accustomed to doing." 

     "I'm her husband Alex, as her husband God will speak to me about her and God will honor her if she honors me."

     "I hear what you are saying Bill but when your word and God's Word does not line up, or He doesn't confirm your word to her she has the responsibility to hear from God foremost.  She can do that without dishonoring you.  No one should supercede the voice of the Lord in our lives and our Lord takes that very seriously, the bible testifies to that."

     Bill then asked with a note of indignation, "How can you say my word doesn't line up with God's word when I am speaking God's Word?"

     "Bill, there's a difference between having a knowledge of God's Word and how He would lead us by his Word alive in our spirits for the various circumstances in our lives.  I suspect the basis for the two of you not seeking help is more grounded in knowledge, and partial at that, rather than hearing from his Spirit within.  You have a beautiful wife but for some time now Anna has not been looking well.  As I said, we don't base our faith in external appearances or circumstances but if the Lord tarries it can be a sign that there are other issues going on that we haven't factored in.  If you both tell me you have sincerely sought the Lord regarding his view and will on this and heard from Him, then I will stay and seek the Lord too and stand with the two of you, but Bill, can you honestly tell me that you both have?"

     Bill was silent for a moment before replying, "No, we've just stood on his Word that by his stripes we are healed."

     Alex then continued, "And granted, that is the truth, yet along with that word we should consider how He uses us collectively as a body.  Furthermore, there may be something that she or the both of you may be engaging in together that the Lord would like to rectify. I am going to give her some words to help her feel comfortable speaking for herself, then I am going to ask her what she wants to do.  Do you have a problem with that?"

      Bill sighed deeply before saying, "I guess that will be ok."

     Alex then continued, "I would suggest to you that you stay out here and pray that she hears from the Lord and heeds his voice however He may choose to speak to her, but if you insist on coming back in I don't want you intimidating her by looks or words."

     Bill nodded and opted to stay in the living room praying while Alex went back into the bedroom.

     "Anna, Bill and I discussed the situation and you should know that he will agree with whatever decision you make.  You are capable of hearing from the Lord.  The Lord is also more than capable of healing you yet he also uses the services of his people too.  The key is to put our faith in the Lord while acknowledging how he may use others to help us in that process. Angela is a fine Christian physician that cares deeply for her patients and seeks the Lord on their behalf.  Anna, you are a beautiful woman  yet you've lost alot of weight and you've seemed quite frail and weak for sometime...What's going on with you?"

     Anna began to cry as she stated, "Alex, I don't know.  I haven't felt well for sometime.  I've tried to talk to Bill about it but he just tells me I don't have enough faith.  Do you really think Angela can help?"

     "Yes, she'll seek the Lord with you to get to the root of the problem.  Sometimes we put more faith in a certain way the Lord will work than in the Lord Himself.  Jesus didn't heal everyone the same way.  Some he healed instantly.  Others he had them do something first, sometimes with the aid of mud and spit.  As they did what He said they received their healing.  One blind man he touched twice before He received his full sight.  Then we have Lazarus whom he actually allowed to die before he ministered to Him and raised him from the dead for there was a greater purpose in the delay and what came with it.  To me it tells me that we are to put our faith in Jesus, not on a certain method he would use."  Alex then paused before asking, "Tell me, has God spoken to you personally about your condition?"

     "No," Anna whispered. 

     "Have you even asked Him?"

     She nodded no, "I just believed it was a lack of faith on my part and have been trying to stand on his Word." 

     "That's very admirable Anna although we shouldn't be ignorant as to how God works.  He doesn't need people, but He does also choose to work through others, especially his children for we are parts to his body.  Maybe there is something that is being overlooked.  For instance, if my diet mainly consists of junk food that can cause me to become ill.  God's grace can hold me but eventually He will enlighten me for my good.  This can apply to spiritual food too.  You understand?"

     Anna's eyes clouded over with tears again.  "Yes Alex.  I suspect that is the reason for my condition, I just haven't been able to speak freely of these things to receive help. 

     Knowing her situation Alex was quite sympathetic.  He knew she needed to understand her responsibility to hear from the Lord for herself and foremost, but felt now wasn't the time. 

     "Why don't we go see Angela?  She can also help you with nutrition, not only for your body but with Spiritual food too." 

     "I'd like that." Anna said looking more hopeful.

     "Then that is what we will do and we will put our faith in the Lord for a full recovery.  Now, I'm going to step outside and have Bill help you get dressed and then I will drive you both to the clinic.  Wait for Bill." 

     Alex then entered the living room to find Bill with tears in his eyes.  He looked up as Alex approached him.

     "Oh Alex, I've been a stubborn fool.  I haven't even sought the Lord on what He wanted but as I was praying for Anna to hear from Him I heard from Him.  His peace entered my heart, that peace that passes all understanding and I just knew that it was his confirmation that we are now going about it the right way...seeking Him, and it will be ok.  It's different Alex, it's more than head knowledge but something deep within my spirit. I know the difference now."

     Alex was overjoyed.  "I'm glad you shared this Bill as it confirms what you both told me and what I felt I was discerning on the matter.  Anna wants to go see Angela at the clinic.  She's waiting for you to help her dress."

Part XXXIV:  Angela