Reading stories of healing in the Bible comforts us in times of profound tragedy and points us to the God who loves and cares for us forever.
Sickness, struggle, and suffering are realities everyone faces.
Maybe you or a family member is dealing with a chronic illness.
Or, because of the COVID-19 pandemic, you may feel that you come face to face with death every day.
Perhaps you are enduring struggles that no one knows you are facing.
You may also be suffering from depression, anxiety, loneliness, fear, and grief.
When you look at your surroundings, you may feel disheartened and hopeless.
You may wonder what God thinks and says about sickness and brokenness.
These questions wander in our minds at a time of affliction and grief.
But we can peer into God’s heart as we read healing stories in the Bible.
What are Healing Stories in the Bible?
Healing Stories in the Bible are narratives of God’s healing power as it touches His people.
They are stories of real people who have overcome sickness and suffering through God’s grace.
These healing stories are found in the Old and New Testaments.
There are about 12 healing stories in the Old Testament and 22 written in the synoptic gospels (Matthew, Mark, and Luke).
Significance of Reading Healing Stories in the Bible
To show that God is a healer and to give Him glory
God is called different names in the Bible.
These names show a glimpse of the characteristics He possesses.
One of the names God is known for is Jehovah-Rapha or Yahweh-Rapha.
This name means “God who heals.”
God is not only the Great Physician who performs physical healing of illnesses and diseases among His people.
He also redeems and restores people’s souls through spiritual healing.
He comforts them from mental anguish, anxiety, despair, and fear as He is our wonderful counselor.
Through the blood of Jesus, God’s people are ultimately saved from spiritual deadness and brought to everlasting life.
Healing was part of the ministry of Jesus.
Jesus delivered the sick, healed the hurting, and even raised the dead throughout His earthly ministry.
The gospels account for many instances where Jesus healed people individually and in large numbers.
The people during His time followed Jesus because of His preaching and the many miracles He performed.
These healing stories in the Bible, specifically in the gospels, also revealed miracles performed by Jesus that only the Messiah could perform.
These miracles include raising an individual from the dead.
Part of God’s love and compassion for His people
God’s love for His people is manifested in many ways.
One way God shows His love for His people is by healing and delivering them from sickness and pain.
From Genesis to Acts and until today, we are witnesses of God’s might and love as He extends His healing hands on His people.
Of course, the greatest act of God’s love is giving His Son to die for our sins.
The blood of Jesus heals us from the greatest affliction of our souls.
Throughout His ministry on earth, Jesus was not only sympathetic toward the suffering and sicknesses of people; He was moved to compassion.
He did not merely stand on the sidelines and watch people struggle.
He acted toward helping and healing them.
Most importantly, He paid the ultimate price – death on the cross – to redeem, restore, and save us.
What are Examples of Healing Stories in the Bible?
Old Testament
The Old Testament recounts several healing stories.
The Israelites, especially, were recipients of God’s healing power.
His people gained confidence and trust in the God who delivered and healed them.
Some examples of these healing stories in the Old Testament are the following:
In Genesis 20:17-18, God healed Abimelech, then king of Gerar, and his wife and female slaves.
God caused them not to conceive, and when God healed them, they could already bear children.
1 Samuel 1 narrates Hannah, one of Elkanah’s wives, who could not bear a child, for God closed her womb.
After pouring her heart out to the Lord and after Eli’s declaration, Hannah conceived a child and named him Samuel.
There are also great healing stories from the prophets Elijah and Elisha.
As ones who are called to proclaim the word of God, they become instruments for God’s healing.
God, through Elijah, raised a widow’s child from the dead (1 Kings 17:22-23).
Elisha cured a Shunnamite’s barrenness and raised a boy from the dead (2 Kings 4:8-37).
There were also instances when healing happened for a large group of people, such as when the plague stopped when Aaron offered incense and made atonement for the people (Numbers 16:46-50).
New Testament
There are even more healing stories in the New Testament.
We can find them in the ministry of John the Baptist, the ministry of Jesus, and the disciples’ works in the book of Acts.
Some well-known New Testament healing stories include:
The Bleeding woman, Jesus healing the daughter of Jarius, the blind and the mute
Matthew 9 narrates several healing miracles of Jesus after preaching the good news.
First is the woman who bled for 12 years, touched the cloak of Jesus, and was healed, as Jesus said that her faith had healed her (Matthew 9:20-22).
Second is the daughter of the synagogue leader, Jairus, who died and was raised by Jesus from the dead (Matthew 9:23-26), and lastly, Christ healed two blind men and a demon-possessed man who could not speak (Matthew 9:27-33).
Jesus heals the paralyzed man.
Jesus healed the paralyzed man carried by his friends and put through an opening in the roof. (Mark 1:-15).
The healing from leprosy
In olden times, people with leprosy were cast away from society.
People believed that individuals with leprosy were unclean.
Therefore, no one came near them.
Matthew 8:3-4 and Luke 17:11-19 show the compassion and might of Jesus as He healed the lepers.
Jesus raised Lazarus from the dead.
This event is one of the best-known healing stories in the Bible, of Jesus raising a man from death.
Lazarus was already dead for four days, and people around him believed there was nothing anyone could do.
At first, Jesus delayed going to Lazarus’ aid for two days.
But when Jesus came, Lazarus’ sisters told Him there might be an odor, for he had been dead for days.
But when Jesus told them that they should not worry, He called for Lazarus to come out from the tomb, and Lazarus came walking out, and the people were amazed (John 11:38-44).
John and Peter healed the paralyzed man.
By the power of the Holy Spirit, the disciples of Jesus could heal and continue the ministry Jesus started.
There was a man, paralyzed for all his life, who begged for his needs at the temple.
After declaring the man’s healing, Peter took him by the hand.
The man could rejoice as he leaped in praise to God (Acts 3:1-11).
How are Healing Stories in the Bible Related Today?
Encourage us to know that God heals even today.
Our hope of healing in Jesus is not dead.
The Healing Stories in the Bible are not obsolete or irrelevant.
God’s power and healing might are present even today.
The same God who delivered the Israelites from plagues is the same God who works in our lives now.
There are countless stories of individuals being supernaturally cured of illnesses and delivered from strongholds in various parts of the globe.
Especially now, when the world is stricken with a pandemic, healing stories in the Bible encourage us of God’s healing.
God cares for us.
He is compassionate to heal and deliver then and now.
Allow us to trust and surrender to God.
The healing stories in the Bible show us that faith can move mountains.
The faith of the bleeding woman, the friends of the paralyzed man, and the lepers drove Jesus.
He would tell these people that their faith in a God who is loving and powerful heals them.
We do not wish in vain when we put our faith in God to heal us.
We allow God to work in and through our lives in one way or another.
Even if healing comes in a way we don’t expect, we trust that God is not against us.
But He is for our welfare and good.
Convict us to repent.
The Bible tells us that there is an association between sin and sickness (1 Peter 2:24).
Although not all illnesses result from sin, God commands us to be accountable and repent (James 5:16).
The salvation offered to us through the death of Jesus Christ heals us from the penalty of our sins.
God is in the business of healing the root cause of all pain and sickness – sin.
Accepting Christ as our Savior and Lord guarantees the joy and hope of having eternal life – a life free from pain, disease, and mourning.
Remind us not to tire of praying for healing.
We can go to God confidently as we are sure it is in His heart to heal and deliver us.
When we pray for healing, we can pour our pains to God.
We can freely tell Him what is happening in our bodies, minds, and hearts.
He is a God who listens and cares.
When we say a prayer of healing, we anticipate how God will move in our lives.
We stay patient to know and accept His answer and response.
It is also vital that we do not cease to pray and have faith that God is sovereign over every pain and illness.
What Does the Bible Say About Healing and Sickness?
Bible verses for the sick
Illness and disease can render us helpless and hopeless.
But the Word of God offers encouragement for those who are struggling with sickness.
Here are a few Bible verses to remind you of God’s compassion and healing.
Is anyone among you suffering?
Let him pray. Is anyone cheerful?
Let him sing praise.
Is anyone among you sick?
Let him call for the elders of the church, and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord.
And the prayer of faith will save the one who is sick, and the Lord will raise him up.
And if he has committed sins, he will be forgiven. (James 5:13-15)
If you will diligently listen to the voice of the LORD your God, and do that which is right in his eyes, and give ear to his commandments and keep all His statutes, I will put none of the diseases on you that I put on the Egyptians, for I am the LORD, your healer. (Exodus 15:26)
Heal me, O Lord, and I shall be healed; save me, and I shall be saved, for you are my praise. (Jeremiah 17:14)
Beloved, I pray that all may go well with you and that you may be in good health, as it goes well with your soul. (3 John 1:2)
Bible verses for those who are grieving
The world has witnessed and experienced unimaginable loss and grief in the past years.
We face disasters such as wars and pandemics.
We are comforted in times of crisis when we immerse ourselves in God’s Word.
Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted. (Matthew 5:4)
But we do not want you to be uninformed, brothers, about those who are asleep, that you may not grieve as others do who have no hope.
For since we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so, through Jesus, God will bring with him those who have fallen asleep. (1 Thessalonians 4:13-14)
Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of His saints. (Psalm 116:15)
For the Lord will not cast off forever, but though he causes grief, he will have compassion according to the abundance of his steadfast love. (Lamentations 3:31-32)
Bible verses for the brokenhearted
This fallen world will not run out of things that sadden and break us.
But the grace of the Lord gives us the strength to overcome and prevail.
These Bible verses remind us that God is near. He comforts us, and He is our refuge.
He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds. (Psalm 147:3)
For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us. (Romans 8:18)
The Lord is near to the brokenhearted and saves the crushed in spirit. (Psalm 34:18)
My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever. (Psalm 73:26)
Bible verses for those who are lost
We are all faced with the question of our purpose at one point or another in life.
Some of us seek the answers in worldly pursuits and false assurances.
We can go back to the Word of God and know that we find our purpose in Him alone.
Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God;
I will strengthen you; I will help you.
I will uphold you with my righteous hand. (Isaiah 41:10)
Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding.
In all your ways, acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths. (Proverbs 3:5-6)
What man of you, having a hundred sheep, if he has lost one of them, does not leave the ninety-nine in the open country and go after the one that is lost until he finds it?
And when he has found it, he lays it on his shoulders rejoicing. (Luke 15:4-5)
Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by name; you are mine.
When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and through the rivers, they shall not overwhelm you; when you walk through the fire, you shall not be burned, and the flame shall not consume you. (Isaiah 43:1-2)
Trusting in God’s Power Through Healing Miracles
We encounter numerous healing stories throughout the Bible that showcase God’s power and compassion.
Jesus heals not only the physical ailments but also the spiritual brokenness of people.
His ministry is filled with healing miracles, where Jesus heals the blind, the lame, and the lepers, demonstrating His divine authority.
In the Old Testament, the prophet Elisha performs miracles using God’s power, reflecting the same compassion and might.
God healed many, like the paralyzed man and those possessed by demons, illustrating His unending love.
These Bible stories remind us to trust God and understand that His plans are beyond our own understanding.
When we face physical or spiritual sickness, we are encouraged to turn to God’s word and His promises.
Jesus told the paralyzed man that his sins were forgiven before healing him, emphasizing the importance of spiritual healing alongside physical healing.
The Holy Spirit continues to work within us, and we witness God’s healing hand through faith.
As we experience these miracles, we find ourselves praising God, knowing that He will forgive sins and restore our souls.
Personal Reflection on God’s Healing Grace
In times of deep suffering and uncertainty, the healing stories in the Bible serve as beacons of hope and assurance.
They remind us that amidst our struggles, God is not distant but intimately involved in our lives, offering healing and restoration in ways that surpass our understanding.
Personal Experience and Testimony
One of the most profound aspects of healing stories in the Bible is their relevance today.
Personally, I have witnessed the transformative power of God’s healing grace in my own life.
Like many, I have faced moments of profound grief, physical illness, and spiritual despair.
In those darkest hours, reading and meditating on stories of Jesus’ healing ministry brought me immense comfort and strength.
Finding Hope in Jesus’ Ministry
Jesus’ ministry on earth exemplified God’s unconditional love and desire to heal both body and soul.
His miracles were not merely displays of power but profound expressions of compassion and restoration.
The story of the bleeding woman, who reached out in faith to touch Jesus’ cloak and was instantly healed, reminds us that our faith in God’s healing power can move mountains of despair and doubt.
Relevance and Application Today
In our modern context, amid global pandemics, personal health crises, and emotional turmoil, the healing stories in the Bible offer timeless truths.
They assure us that God remains the same yesterday, today, and forever—always ready to heal, comfort, and restore.
Whether we face physical ailments, mental anguish, or spiritual battles, God’s healing touch is available to all who call upon Him in faith.
Invitation to Personal Healing and Faith
Reading these stories is not just an academic exercise but an invitation to experience God’s healing personally.
As we reflect on the stories of miraculous healings, we are encouraged to bring our own struggles and burdens before God.
He invites us to trust Him fully, knowing that His plans for us are good and His promises endure forever.
The healing stories in the Bible are not mere historical accounts but living testimonies of God’s enduring love and power.
They remind us that in every season of life, whether in joy or sorrow, God invites us to draw near Him.
As we do so, we find healing, hope, and renewed strength in His presence.
This reflection underscores the profound impact of God’s healing grace and encourages us to embrace His promises with unwavering faith.
In Summary
When faced with sickness, depression, and sorrow, we are prone to succumbing to dread and worry.
We look at the status of the world and see no reason for hope or solace.
We feel powerless and resentful because we know there are many things over which we have no control.
But we find healing stories when we go back to the Bible.
We read narratives of healing and deliverance completed by our Almighty God.
These healing stories in the Bible show us that the Lord is a mighty God, and through His Son, we can enjoy eternal life with Him.
God gets the glory in our pains and afflictions, triumphs, and healings alike.
Reading stories of healing in the Bible brings us comfort in times of profound tragedy.
They remind us that God performs miracles of healing and deliverance even today.
These healing stories in the Bible point us to the God who loves and cares for us forever.
