Hope Makers

How important is it to believe?

And he could do no deed of power there, except that he laid his hands on a few sick people and cured them. And he was amazed at their unbelief. Then he went about among the villages teaching. - Mark 6:5-6

Mark tells us that believing is very important.  Because the people failed to believe, Jesus could do little to help them.

Our attitude matters.  If we are positive and confident, if we truly believe in the outcome, our chances of getting better are vastly improved.

Studies in hospitals and prisons have been done to prove this point.  When people have faith and hope, their willingness to stick with the program to overcome addiction or to stay the course of treatment is higher and that improves their chances.

So why don't we go around boosting people's spirits?

I believe that faith is an action.  We need to participate in our faith to help heal ourselves.  If we read the Gospel stories carefully, we see a pattern in the healing practice of Jesus.

He asks people what they want, and then he tells them that it was their faith that healed them.

This is scary stuff, because it makes us think that our failure to be healed or cured is our own fault.  How could that be?

Well, what if healing is not a one-on-one activity?  What if the energy and power of healing comes from many?

In his own hometown, so many didn't believe that he had little power to heal.  A few received his help, but not many.  Was it because they didn't believe, or was it something else?

When we surround ourselves with negative attitudes and disbelief, we lose power.  We need to surround ourselves with the presence of the Holy Spirit, and that means we need others to help us.

In the story of the friends who carried the man on a mat and lowered him through the roof to Jesus, we see such faith.  It was not the crippled man alone who believed, but all around him.

So, I wonder if we unintentionally have a negative impact on our loved ones when we doubt they will get better?

It is something to consider the next time we visit someone who is sick or troubled.  Sure it is hard to believe they will stick with the program after multiple failures and relapses.  But if we don't believe they can beat this demon this time, what will the outcome be?

We can be hope makers for those we encounter.  We can offer them our prayers, our support, our faith, not to replace theirs, but to reinforce and supplement it.

We need all the prayers and help we can get, all of us.

So, today, as you meditate to get ready for this day, pray for those you know who are struggling and failing to get well.  And when you pray, pray as though it has already happened, as though they have miraculously been cured.  Then go and be with them.

It will make all the difference in the world.  I believe it.

More to come...