Faith in All Circumstances

“Now there was a woman who had been suffering from hemorrhages for twelve years; and though she had spent all she had on physicians, no one could cure her. She came up behind him [Jesus] and touched the fringe of his clothes, and immediately her hemorrhage stopped.” -Luke 8:43-44, NRSV

This painting is found in the Catacombs of Marcellinus and Peter in Rome. Unknown author, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons.

A First Century Woman’s Struggle

Jesus healed many during His ministry, and He acknowledged the faith of those who trusted Him. The gospel of Luke tells a story of a woman who had been experiencing hemorrhaging for over a decade, and she had been failed by doctors (Luke 8:43). This woman experienced years and years of bleeding, and no one could help her.

In the midst of a crowd surrounding Jesus, this woman found herself within arms reach of Jesus (Luke 8:42-44). When this woman had the faith to simply touch Jesus’ cloak, she was healed immediately (8:44). Jesus knew that something had happened, because, “. . . Jesus said, ‘Someone touched me; for I noticed that power has gone out from me’”(8:46). When the woman revealed herself to Jesus, and in front of everyone else stated why she had reached for him, Jesus said to the woman, “Daughter, your faith has saved you; go in peace” (8:47-48). This woman had the courage to tell everyone what she had been experiencing, and Jesus recognized her faith and courage. She had experienced so many years of pain and suffering, but yet . . . she . . . still . . . had . . . faith.

A Twenty-First Century Woman’s Pain

A month before my second wedding anniversary, I was diagnosed with bartonellosis (commonly known as cat scratch fever) and Lyme disease. I have always struggled with a variety of health issues but was told they were problems I would have to live with. Anxiety, depression, thyroid problems, migraines – these are health issues that many people face in our fallen world and were the big ones I was suffering from. However, with my new diagnosis, I was told that the likely cause of some of my most debilitating symptoms was Lyme disease/bartonellosis. There was hope for healing.

I resigned from my youth ministry position at my local parish to pursue treatment. Life was full of antibiotics, tests, supplements, and lab visits. I was feeling miserable, in despair, and broken. Suddenly I found myself at home full-time, with no job, with no children yet to raise, and with a chronic illness at age 26. This . . . was not part of the plan!

I began to feel a little like the woman from Luke 8. How had I been sick all these years and not known the cause? I had grown so accustomed to living with symptoms, I didn’t recognize that what I was feeling was not normal.

After several months of getting into the routine of my treatment plan, my husband helped me realize that the Lord was calling me to write. Even when my body was failing me, writing was something that I could do from home. I began writing my first book, which is still in the works. Fast forward to July 2024: I started a place to share my writings, The Persistent Christian.

A God Who Strengthens Us

Health issues are a part of our own stories and nothing to be ashamed of. Like the woman with hemorrhaging in the gospel of Luke, we can still be strong in the midst of weakness. We can still turn to God every day and ask for His strength. He loves us, and He wants us to continually rely on Him.

The Lord remains unchanged throughout our lives. In spite of life changing drastically in the blink of an eye, “Jesus is the same yesterday, today, and forever” (Hebrews 13:8, emphasis added). We can be assured that the love God has for us will never change! God can use our circumstances in life to bring us closer to Him.

I have found new joy in writing for the Lord. I was not healed instantly like the woman in Luke 8, but I hope that I can have as much courage as she did to share. The gospel tells us that “when the woman saw that she could not remain hidden, she came trembling. . .” (Luke 8:47). This woman was very afraid to tell the world why she had sought Jesus for healing. But . . . she did!

For many months after my diagnosis, I felt ashamed and broken. It is my desire to emulate our Luke 8 woman, who had the courage to share.

St. Paul wrote in the letter to the Galatians:

“Bear one another’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ” (6:2).

In Christ,

Lauren

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All scripture quotations are from the New Revised Standard Version (NRSV) of the Bible

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