Be Strong and Courageous

Imagine having an incurable disease for over a decade. During this time, you have spent

all of the money you have to cure your disease but it has only grown worse. Not only do people

look down on you because you are poor and sick, but because of your disease you have become

an outcast of society. Your disease makes you unclean and everything you touch will become

unclean as well. You can no longer go out into public for the fear of being driven from the city

because of your uncleanliness. As it becomes clear that nothing can be done to rid you of this

agony, you begin to lose hope. Days and months and years go by with no change other than the

further loss of strength and hope. Until one day you hear that a man is coming to your town who

is rumored to heal the blind and lepers. It has been said that he has made the lame walk and he

has turned water into wine. If he has done such great things, surely he can cleanse you! However,

so many doctors and magicians have come claiming the same thing and no one has been able to

heal you. There is a tiny sliver of hope inside you that tells you that maybe this man will be

different. Maybe he truly can heal the incurable and can rid you of your suffering. It takes all of

your strength and all of your courage to get up and decide to take this leap of faith. “What more

do I have to lose?” You have no money, no family, no friends, no strength, and no hope. As you

walk out of your door you hide your face so that others will not recognize you and will not

shame you as you walk to find this healer that you have heard of. You see a big crowd in the

streets and in the midst of it all you see a man. He is surrounded by multitudes of people and is

following one of your town officials who is also seeking the healing of this man. “How can I be

of more importance than a city official?” The multitude begins to walk in your direction and you

frantically try to decide what to do. Your desperation has led you here and you have come so far

for this healing. It takes every ounce of courage that you have to reach out your hand and touch

the tiniest corner of the man's cloak. Instantly, you can feel that you have finally been healed!

Your strength returns to you and you no longer feel the constant pain that you have become so

accustomed to. In the midst of all these people the man stops and turns around. “Who touched

me?” he asked. You begin to fill with fear because you know he surely will reprimand you for

being in such a place and daring to touch him. You run to his feet and bow down so maybe he

will show you mercy. However, he instantly finds your eyes and says, “Your faith has healed

you. Go in peace and be freed from your suffering.”

This story is found in Mark 5:25-34. Most people know this person as the woman with

the issue of blood. While she only gets nine verses in such a miraculous book, her story is

defined by faith and strength. In Leviticus 15:25-30, Moses lists the laws that are targeted toward

women who have an issue of blood. It is extremely hard to imagine what this woman was going

through. She had lost all hope and strength in God and in herself. However that day she took the

biggest leap of faith in her life and it rewarded her greatly. Joshua 9:1 says, “Have I not

commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for

the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.” Every person has struggles and uncertainties in

their life. The most important thing to remember is, God will never leave his children and He

will always provide for them in His own time and in His own way. When you put your strength

and trust in God, He will always provide for you.