T. D. Jakes - Healing, Blessings, and Freedom: 365-Day Devotional & Journal

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Speaking to the Purposes of God for This
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And, behold, there was a woman which had a spirit of infirmity eighteen years, and was bowed together, and could in no wise lift up herself. And when Jesus saw her, He called her to Him, and said unto her, Woman, thou art loosed from thine infirmity. Luke 13:11-12

T he Holy Spirit periodically lets us catch a glimpse of the personal testimony of one of the patients of the Divine Physician Himself. This womans dilemma is her own, but perhaps you will find some point of relativity between her case history and your own. She could be like someone you know or have known; she could even be like you.

There are three major characters in this story. These characters are the person, the problem and the prescription. It is important to remember that for every person, there will be a problem. Even more importantly, for every problem, our God has a prescription!

Jesus opening statement to the problem in this womans life is not a recommendation for counselingit is a challenging command! Often much more is involved in maintaining deliverance than just discussing past trauma. Jesus did not counsel what should have been commanded. I am not, however, against seeking the counsel of godly men. On the contrary, the Scriptures say:

Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful (Psalm 1:1).

Where no counsel is, the people fall: but in the multitude of counsellors there is safety (Proverbs 11:14).

What I want to make clear is that after you have analyzed the condition, after you have understood its origin, it will still take the authority of Gods Word to put the past under your feet! This woman was suffering as a result of something that attacked her 18 years earlier. I wonder if you can relate to the long-range aftereffects of past pain. This kind of trauma is as fresh to the victim today as it was the day it occurred. Although the problem may be rooted in the past, the prescription is a present word from God! The Word is the same yesterday, today and forever-more (see Heb. 13:8)! That is to say, the word you are hearing today is able to heal your yesterday!

A lthough the problem may be rooted in the past, the prescription is a present word from God!

But if we walk in the light, as He is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanseth us from all sin. 1 John 1:7

T he blood is the only element in the body that reaches, affects, and fuels all other parts of the body. This rich, reddish-purple elixir flows silently through the cardiovascular system like high-powered cars moving on interstate highways. It carries the cargo of much-needed oxygen molecules and nutrients that are necessary to sustain life in every cell of the body. If the blood is restricted long enough from any member of the body, that member will internally asphyxiate, and begin to change colors. Its asphyxiated cells can quickly dieeven without an external assailantfor their affliction is the result of internal deprivation.

Every member, every limb and organ in the human body, needs the blood. Along with its culinary duty of delivering soluble dietary contents throughout the body, our blood has the additional responsibility of functioning as a paramedic. Its white blood cells stand ready to attack adverse intruders in the form of bacteria or foreign cells, or any other foreign substance that may try to disrupt the vitality of the body. The white blood cells are the bodys militia. These cells are uniquely equipped to fight off attacking bacteria and expel it from the bodystripping it of its power and robbing it of its spoils.

For as we have many members in one body, and all members have not the same office: so we, being many, are one body in Christ, and every one members one of another (Romans 12:4-5).

The physical body echoes and illustrates the power of the blood in the Church, the mystical Body of Christ. Every member of the Body of Christregardless of morality, maturity, or positionneeds the life-giving blood of Jesus. Without the blood, we cease to have the proof of our sonship. Isnt the blood what physicians test to determine and verify who is the father of a child? Without the blood, we are only bastard sons camouflaged as real sons. Without His blood, we are pseudo-heirs trying to receive the promises reserved for the legitimate sons of God!

W ithout the blood, we cease to have the proof of our sonship

To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven: a time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to pluck up that which is planted. Ecclesiastes 3:1-2

W e will always have seasons of struggles and testing. There are times when everything we attempt to do will seem to go wrong. Regardless of our prayers and consecration, adversity will come. We cant pray away Gods seasons. The Lord has a purpose in not allowing us to be fruitful all the time. When God sends the chilly winds of winter to blow on our circumstances, we must still trust Him. In spite of our dislike for the blinding winds and the icy grip of winter seasons, there is a purpose for these temporary inconveniences.

The apostle Paul calls such times light affliction, which is but for a moment (2 Cor. 4:17). I say, This too shall pass! Some things you are not meant to change, but to survive. So if you cant alter it, then outlive it! Be like a tree. In the frosty arms of winter the forest silently refurbishes its strength, preparing for its next season of fruitfulness. Its branches rocking in the winds, the sap and substance of the tree go underground. It is not good-bye, though; in the spring it will push its way up into the budding of a new experience. Temporary setbacks create opportunities for fresh commitment and renewal. If you were to record your accomplishments, you would notice that they were seasonal. There are seasons of sunshine as well as rain. Pleasure comes, then pain, and vice versa. Each stage has its own purpose.

One of the greatest struggles I have encountered is the temptation to make permanent decisions based on temporary circumstances. Someone once said, Patience is a tree whose root is bitter, but its fruit is sweet. The reward of patience is reflected in gradually not having to amend your amendments. Temporary circumstances do not always require action. I have found that prayer brings us into patience. Patience results from trust. We cannot trust a God we dont talk with. Do not misunderstand me; God needs men and women who are decisive. However, every situation shouldnt get an immediate reaction. Prayer is the seasoning of good judgment. Without it, our decisions will not be palatable.

T emporary circumstances do not always require action. I have found that prayer brings us into patience.