Stand Firm on the Healing Power of Jesus Christ

As I stood looking at my mail by the mail station at my condo complex, I felt a hit to the back of my knee. It was with such a force that it literally catapulted me up into the air. As I came down, my left hip landed on the sharp edge of the sidewalk. As I got up, I saw no one —nothing! Embarrassed by the episode, I quickly gathered my scattered mail; got into my car and left. In my rush, I took no time to examine my body or my left hip. That was in the spring of 2016.

Another incident occurred that year while I was visiting my daughter and her family in the Los Angeles area. I remember receiving a call from my son-in-law at LAX Airport. I rushed to grab my fifty pound luggage from the baggage turntable which resulted in a back injury. I felt the pain immediately.  I naively thought that it would subside eventually because, of course, of my health and fitness regiment.

As the year progressed, I began to feel excruciating pain in my lower body. By that time, the pain had become so great that I winced whenever I got into bed each night or into the shower each day–even getting into my car became an ordeal.  I began to put pillows under my legs to ease the pain so that I could sleep at night.  I continued to go to the gym every day, but I could no longer stay on the elliptical for forty-five minutes to an hour.  Eventually, I found myself on the bicycle.  At the time, I could not even push the bicycle pedals forward in a riding motion, so I had to pedal backwards which put no pressure on my joints.  I did that for thirty to forty-five minutes each day, five days a week.  In my mind, I had to continue my fitness regiment, not just for my body, but for my mental sanity (if that makes sense). There were even several times during the latter part of the year when I could not move my body to either get up or sit down.

I sought healing by changing my church membership to a healing ministry.  My mobility improved, but it was still painful to move my lower body.

After seeking divine healing for over two years, I shared my pain with my primary doctor who referred me to an orthopedic surgeon. The orthopedic doctor diagnosed osteoarthritis in my hips. He said my back was out of alignment, as well. I had already figured out that I had a back injury, but the arthritis diagnosis completely floored me. (I had forgotten about the mail station injury.) Wanting to  know the underlying cause, I asked the orthopedic surgeon if in some way my back or some other injury had precipitated the diagnosis of arthritis in my hips.  He dismissed the back injury as the cause of the degeneration in my hip. He then looked at me incredulously, as if to say (but he did not), “Lady, you are getting older; these things happen to the body.”  (To his credit, he did later realized and acknowledged that an injury—in my case—the mail station incident—could have caused the hip issue.) He said that I would eventually need hip replacement.  That statement did not even register in my psyche. I wanted to say, “You have got to be kidding. You do not know my history.  I am an avid physical fitness person.  I go to the gym five times a week.  Before I started having this tremendous pain, I worked out on the elliptical, the weights and the Body Master machine. I said nothing. I never get sick.”  However, in a state of shock, I was emotionless.

As I sat in my car that day, it took me several hours to process what had been said.  I was a healthy person—aging, yes—but I never considered my age a deficit.  I still don’t.  I had worked most of my life at staying healthy by eating the right foods, exercising, among other things.

A later MRI showed substantial damage to my left hip joint, so I went into proactive mode.  In my research, I discovered that cortisone injections eliminated pain. The doctor confirmed this. The injections would last for several months if they were done correctly.  They were not a cure; however, they eased the pain for some time. And, they could only be used for a period of time—not long term!

Looking back at that traumatic time, the Holy Spirit showed me that my attitude and behavior reflected pride (of life). (1 John 2:16) I had been, for most of my life, taking credit for my life accomplishments, my intellect, my gifts, and in this case, my health regiment. I had always reasoned—God created me with talents and gifts, so he wants me to used them to the best of my ability.  Yes, he wanted me to use them, but not take credit for them! How prideful of me! I cannot take credit for my creation by Heavenly Father; just as I cannot take credit for my salvation through Jesus; or the Holy Spirit’s conviction of my sin of pride in this matter! Let me tell you: I remorsefully repented of the sin of pride!

Sicknesses and injuries do occur, my friends, and even though I continued to pray, I ended up having left hip surgery. That was not my preference. However, I had to let go of my vain imaginations (2 Corinthians 10:5) and concentrate on what Jesus was revealing to me. He may have used a doctor in my case, but he was still my Healer. He can use doctors or other sources, or he can heal miraculously. Doctors, too, are an extension of his healing power. Never forget that—I know I won’t!  Make no mistake about it, Jesus is the Ultimate Healer!

I have told you my story, dear friends, because I want to be real with you and just maybe it will inspire you or someone you know who may be going through an ordeal.

May your hearts and minds remain steadfast in the delivering power of Jesus!

Stay healthy and be blessed.

Scriptures Meditations:

Psalm 103:3 — Who forgives all your iniquities, who heals all your diseases.

Isaiah 53:5 — He was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our iniquities; the chastisement for our peace was upon Him, and by His stripes we are healed.

Exodus 15:26 — I am the Lord who heals you.

Psalm 103:3 — Who forgives all your iniquities, Who heals all your diseases…

Matthew 8:17 — He Himself took our infirmities and bore our sicknesses.

James 5:5 — . . . the prayer of faith will save the sick, and the Lord will raise him up. And if he has committed sins, he will be forgiven.

Revisions, May 4, 2025