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She had exhausted all of her money on doctors who were unable to help her. Broken - Lonely - Isolated - for 12 years.
I've always had "lady problems," which ultimately resulted in a hysterectomy on my youngest daughter's 4th birthday. I am fortunate enough to live in a time when my doctor could help me. And although I was not forced to live in isolation, my condition was isolating. I avoided going out in order to prevent awkward and embarrassing moments. I was weak and tired and never felt great. And this way of life became "normal" until my doctor offered me freedom from the bondage of my condition.
I remember talking with my doctor and she finally said, "Your quality of life is terrible and it is affecting the rest of your life. I can fix you."
It was like she breathed hope and life back into my weak and tired body.
I had lost hope and resigned myself to live a life in a weak and tired body. And all of a sudden, the hope returned!
This woman was suffering. Her quality of life was terrible. Her body was broken. But she had heard of the One who could restore her and heal her - and she had hope - and she had faith!
She sought out the Great Physician. Even after all of the doctors had been puzzled by her condition, she knew that Jesus was the answer to her pain and suffering.
She was at a place of desperation. And when she finally found Jesus, I wonder if her heart sank for a moment. The crowd was so thick and His disciples were all around Him, trying to get Him to a little girl who was dying. But instead of feeling hopeless she was hopeful! She had faith that Jesus could heal her, even without seeing her face or hearing her story. She only needed to touch a piece of His clothing.
Her faith was so strong that when she stuck her hand out from the crowd as Jesus passed by, she felt the material of his cloak gently brush up against her hand - and "immediately her bleeding stopped and she felt in her body that she was freed from her suffering" (Mark 5:29).
Her faith was so strong that Jesus stopped, turned around and asked who had touched His clothes because "at once Jesus realized that power had gone out from him" (Mark 5:30). He had not commanded the power - her faith had triggered it.
He asks who touched Him, but I think He already knew. I think He wanted to face this precious woman who He refers to as "daughter" and encourage her, as well as those around her. I think He wanted to make it known that it was her faith that healed her. It was her faith that set her free.
What is ailing you today? Physical sickness? Depression? Anxiety? A hopeless situation? Fear? Whatever is holding you in bondage, remember that your faith in the healing power of Jesus can set you free.
**But don't misunderstand. Sometimes we are in a place of suffering for reasons we cannot understand. Don't lose hope. Don't lose faith. This woman suffered for 12 years. But her faith and hope were ultimately in Jesus.**
You can read more about the Bleeding Woman's story at She Reads Truth. Also read Matthew 9:20 - 22; Mark 5:25 - 34; and Luke 8:43 - 48.
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