I’m interrupting our Holiday Wellness Plan for a very special guest post from my pastor, mentor, and friend, Rev. Kenton Wendorf. He embodies my approach to wellness: we can be well, whatever our circumstance. His inspiring faithful walk through a difficult situation has inspired me and many others. I’m thrilled to share his wise wellness observations that fit right in with our wellness plan.
This song title has a profound message as we think of health and healing. In John 5 we observe a man at the pool of Bethesda, a pool with healing properties. We can learn much by observing what happened. An angel was believed to stir the waters of the pool each day and the first one in the pool would be healed. We can just imagine the many waiting to jump in! One man, paralyzed for 38 years, was at the pool.
The obstacles to his healing were huge. Everyone was waiting to be healed. What were the chances his paralyzed legs would allow him to jump in the water in time? Nonetheless, he was there! He did not give up doing what he could do. He did not lose hope. And because he was there and had hope, his healing was about to arrive, though not from the pool.
I have a voice issue that makes talking extremely difficult and it is often impossible for others to understand me. Nothing has worked thus far to help and my specialist is frustrated with my lack of progress. Your situation may be better or worse, but my observation based on this story is to keep on trying! Do not give up. The man at the pool did not give up for all those years and neither should we.
Back at the pool, a man walked up and asked if the paralyzed man wished to be healed.
When Jesus saw him and knew he had been ill for a long time, he asked him, “Would you like to get well?” ~John 5:6 NLT
Then this man told him to get up and walk! What? Just get up? Why not give it a try? He got up and walked.
Sometimes healing and encouragement come from unexpected directions. [tweetthis]Sometimes healing & encouragement come from unexpected directions #Wellness[/tweetthis]
Many things in life happen when we least expect it. Notice he was not looking for this man. In fact, he did not know until later it was Jesus who healed him.
What a lesson. This miracle was not dependent on what the paralyzed man did, how faithful he was, or even on the basis of a pleading request. His healing took place solely based on the mercy of God.
Sometimes we are told we have to do more…pray more…trust more…hope more…but at the end of the day this story reminds me that it is not up to us, but HIM. So as you and I battle situations in life, we struggle but are not without hope. For our hope is in Jesus!
My prayer for the healing of my voice continues. This is my daily prayer. I want to jump into the pool! But even if the healing never comes, my hope is in the Man who comes to us with His love, His forgiveness, His peace, and one day His healing.
Rev. Kenton Wendorf is a retired pastor living in Grafton, Wisconsin. He is married to his wife Janice for 39 years and has 10 grandchildren. Before retiring, he served as Senior Pastor at St. Paul Lutheran Church in Grafton, WI.
Linking up with Crystal Storms at #HeartEncouragement, Deb Wolf at #FaithnFriends, CrystalTwaddell at #FreshMarketFriday, Kelly Balarie at #RaRaLinkup and Holly Barrett at #TestimonyTuesda
Priceless wisdom here. We have a strong and sure hope in Jesus. No matter what.
Agree wholeheartedly Betsy!
Healing comes in many ways, doesn’t it. And often the healing we end up receiving is completely different than what we had prayed for.
Thank you for sharing, Jill … blessings on you as God brings healing into your life.
Agreed Linda, love this wisdom from Pastor Wendorf! Thanks!
Love it! I admire your positive attitude and your strength and overwhelming obedience to the ultimate healer!
I too love his inspirational obedience, Deanna. Thanks for stopped by by!
Love this encouragement from Rev. Kenton Wendorf: “We struggle but are not without hope. For our hope is in Jesus!”
Thank you for sharing, Jill. Even if … yet I will praise Him! Sweet blessings to you, friend. xoxo
Thanks Crystal & I love switching our thoughts and dwelling on hope as well. Thanks for stopping by and your thoughts!
I have recently written on Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-nego. Their story reminds me of yours. They believed whether God saved them or not.
This is so encouraging. “This miracle was not dependent on what the paralyzed man did, how faithful he was, or even on the basis of a pleading request. His healing took place solely based on the mercy of God.” So true! I need this reminder when I think I can make things better…it’s totally up to Him!
It is totally up to Him! Thanks for your comments, I loved Pastor’s encouragement too!
Such encouraging words! Never give up. Those three words can be easier to say than do. Encouragement from God’s Word and His people really help.
Agree Kelly-let’s never give up!
I love how it says that the man’s healing came from God and not anything the man did. It is so easy to get caught up in trying to perform better for God as if there is some power in our works. We can find ourselves full of anxiety if we try to work to change circumstamces that may not be part of God’s plan. Thanks for sharing!
Oh yes, I know that anxiety well from when I try to function in my own way. Loved this encouragement to trust only in God’s plan, too!
Such wonderful encouragement and wisdom. We place our trust and hope in Jesus – no matter the outcome. His ways are best. So grateful to have read this post today. Blessings!
Thanks Joanne, agreed, our hope remains ever in Jesus. Thanks for stopping and your comments!
Such a great post! This part especially spoke to me:
“This miracle was not dependent on what the paralyzed man did, how faithful he was, or even on the basis of a pleading request. His healing took place solely based on the mercy of God.”
I’m thankful that we don’t have to “earn” a healing. And, that even when God doesn’t opt to give it, it doesn’t mean He loves us less than someone He did choose to heal. I guess that’s where trust comes in . . . trusting that God’s best for us may mean living with certain conditions. And leaning into Him in the living.
This is a thought-provoking post!
P.S.—Jill, I’m your neighbor over at Testimony Tuesday today. 🙂 I’m so glad too. 🙂
Thanks Jeanne-yes let’s lean into Him in our living! Thanks for stopping by and your thoughts-I agree and loved Pastor’s post too!
I never thought of this story as having the lesson to not give up. But it makes sense.
Great post! 🙂
Thanks for sharing this!
You’re welcome Ruth-I agree it was a great perspective on healing and never losing faith! Thanks for visiting and your thoughts!