Welcome to another episode of Repurpose Journey, the podcast where we explore how to repurpose our lives and find purpose, even in the midst of chronic illness. I’m your host, Laura, and today we’re diving into a topic that so many of us with chronic illness face: the delay in healing. For those of us who live with ongoing health challenges, the waiting can be incredibly hard. But as Christians, how do we make sense of these delays, and how can we trust God through the waiting? Let’s explore that together.
The struggle of Delayed Healing
Let’s be real—waiting for healing, whether physical, emotional, or even spiritual, can feel frustrating, painful, and isolating. We pray, we seek God, we go to doctors, try treatments, and yet… nothing. The delay continues. Maybe you’re like me, living with a chronic illness that doesn’t seem to have a clear solution. For me, that’s Meniere’s Disease—dizziness, tinnitus, headaches, and vision issues that come and go. Sometimes the symptoms subside, but sometimes they come back stronger. And in those moments, it can feel like God is silent.
If you’re in that place right now, I want you to know: you’re not alone. Delay in healing is something countless people in the Bible faced. It’s something many believers today are still struggling with. But the good news is, God is with us in the delay. And sometimes, His delay has a purpose that’s bigger than we can see.”
Delayed Healing in the Bible
“Let’s take a look at some stories from the Bible where healing didn’t come immediately, and yet God was still at work. One powerful example is the story of the woman with the issue of blood in Luke 8:43-48. She suffered for twelve years—twelve long years of physical pain and societal rejection. She had spent all her money on doctors, and no one could help her. Imagine the agony of waiting for over a decade, wondering if healing would ever come.
But here’s what’s amazing: when she reached out in faith and touched the hem of Jesus’ garment, she was healed instantly. Jesus tells her, ‘Daughter, your faith has healed you. Go in peace.’ But that healing came after a long season of waiting. Her delay didn’t mean God had forgotten her; it meant He was preparing her for a miraculous moment of faith.
We also see the story of Lazarus in John 11, where Jesus intentionally delayed going to him after hearing he was sick. By the time Jesus arrived, Lazarus had been dead for four days. His sisters, Mary and Martha, were devastated. They believed if Jesus had come sooner, Lazarus wouldn’t have died. But Jesus had a different plan. His delay wasn’t denial—it was a setup for a greater miracle. Jesus raised Lazarus from the dead, showing His power over death itself.”
God’s Timing vs Our Timing
“As Christians, one of the hardest things to accept is that God’s timing is not always our timing. Isaiah 55:8-9 reminds us:
‘For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways,’ declares the Lord. ‘As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.’
Sometimes, what we see as a delay is really God working behind the scenes, doing something deeper in us or setting up something greater than we can imagine. Romans 8:28 assures us that ‘in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.’ This includes the delays we experience in healing.
The waiting period can be a time of growth. God may be using the delay to build your faith, teach you patience, or draw you closer to Him. While this may not always bring immediate comfort, it’s a reminder that the delay is not without purpose.”
What to do in the waiting
“So, how do we navigate these times of delay? How do we continue trusting God when the healing doesn’t come as quickly as we hoped?
- Stay Anchored in Prayer:
Keep communicating with God, even when you don’t feel like it. Prayer isn’t just about asking for healing; it’s about seeking His presence, asking for strength, and surrendering our desires to His will. Sometimes, God gives us the grace to endure even when healing hasn’t come yet. - Meditate on Scripture:
God’s Word is full of encouragement for those waiting on Him. Verses like Isaiah 40:31, ‘But those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength… they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint,’ remind us that God renews us while we wait. Cling to these promises. - Lean on Your Community:
Don’t go through the waiting alone. Lean on your church family, friends, and other believers who can pray with you and support you emotionally. Sometimes, God’s comfort comes through the people He places in our lives. - Find Purpose in the Present:
It’s easy to focus on the future and wait for healing before you start living fully. But what if God is calling you to find purpose in the present, even in your illness? As I’ve shared on this podcast before, I’ve learned to repurpose my life around Meniere’s Disease, not just waiting for it to disappear. I’ve found new ways to serve, to connect with others who are struggling, and to seek God’s peace even when the physical healing hasn’t arrived.”
“If you’re in a season of delay right now, I want to encourage you to keep trusting God. Healing may not always come in the way we expect, but that doesn’t mean God is absent. He is with you in the waiting, shaping your story in ways you can’t fully see yet.
Let’s close in prayer:
Father, we come to You in our weakness, in our frustration, and in our waiting. We ask for healing, and we ask for the strength to trust You while we wait. Help us to remember that Your timing is perfect, even when we don’t understand. Give us peace in the delay, and use this season to draw us closer to You. Thank You for being faithful, even when healing is delayed. We place our trust in You. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Thank you for joining me today on Repurpose Journey. If this episode encouraged you, I’d love to hear from you. Feel free to reach out to me at repurposejourney.com or on social media @RepurposeJourney. Until next time, keep seeking God’s purpose in every season.”
