When God Doesn’t Heal | 5 Reasons He Won’t & What to Do

It’s amazing to be a Christian when God performs miracles, isn’t it? When he eradicates cancer, brings someone back to life, puts a check in your mailbox for the exact amount you needed to pay your bills.

As Madea would say, “Hallelujer!” But…what about when God doesn’t heal?

What about the times you pray and pray and your family member still dies? And what about the disease you’re still carrying years after claiming your healing?

What about those circumstances you’re still trapped in months or even years down the road?

Doesn’t the Bible say that God heals if and when we ask in faith? So how in the heck are we supposed to reconcile those times when God doesn’t heal?

Is it because we don’t have enough faith? Are our health and happiness somehow not a part of God’s perfect plan?!

The fact is that despite our favorite church sermons on healing and prosperity, Christians won’t always be happy and healthy.

We might still struggle with disease and conflict and loss. In fact, it’s likely!

Why is that?

It’s developing something within us.

I’ll always remember a church retreat I attended a few years ago.

The speaker drew an A and a B on the whiteboard, separated by a short distance. He explained that God is certainly capable of miracles, taking you directly from point A to point B, but that path doesn’t usually result in our growth.

Instead, he drew a squiggly line that started at point A, veered up and down, back and forth, and circled back a few times before finally arriving at point B. He explained that on this path, God can do so much in us, and that the lessons we learn there will serve us well both in that specific situation and in the future.

I don’t doubt this for a minute.

God didn’t help me do everything perfectly when I left my job to become a stay-at-home mom. He knew the stress and struggle and failure would teach me so much about myself and my faith and Him.

God didn’t wake me up completely healed from the health issues brought on by carrying an extra 50 pounds on my frame.

He knew I needed to learn discipline and balance and how to set healthy boundaries for myself. And he knew those lessons would serve me far beyond a number on a scale.

I get it…we’d usually rather just enjoy a miraculous healing upfront. But unfortunately/fortunately for us, God is a good Father who wants his children to experience something much more meaningful and long-lasting than instant gratification.

It’s acting as a witness and example to others.

Don’t think for a second that others aren’t watching you as you walk through the valley. When they wouldn’t blame you for giving up or forsaking your beliefs, your witness will be that much more powerful as you continue to lead by example.

Again, we’re usually more concerned with our own healing. Sure, we’d like to lead others to Christ if it’s convenient for us, but certainly not if it comes at such a high personal price.

But Jesus Christ called us to make disciples of all nations (Matthew 28:19-20). And the Apostle Peter warned us that we would suffer for the sake of Christ and his message (1 Peter 3:13-18).

Your experience will provide opportunities to witness long after it’s over.

Some of my deepest connections with others have been the direct result of our shared suffering. We’d both worked our way through a divorce. We’d both acted as a caretaker for a family member. Or we’d both struggled with clinical depression.

And that “wow, me too” moment? It’s one of the most wide-open doors you’ll ever receive to witness to others.

Sometimes it’s the result of our own decisions and actions.

My step-grandmother was a Christian scientist. I’ll always remember the day she cornered my little brother in the middle of his asthma attack to demand to know what he had done, how he had sinned to bring on the attack.

This is absolutely absurd and unbiblical. This is not what I’m talking about.

But I am saying that sometimes our valleys are those of our own creation.

I experienced a heart-breaking divorce because I insisted on marrying someone I knew wasn’t right for me. I experienced a whole host of health issues because I started using food to manage my emotions rather than turning to Jesus and seeking counseling.

I’m reading this fantastic book on boundaries and it’s taught me that God created the world in such a way that every action has consequences. And that while he will encourage us to make the right choices, he’ll never force us.

And in the same way I allow my five-year-old to be hungry if she insists on not eating dinner, God allows us to walk through the natural consequences of our choices so that we can learn and grow. While it would certainly be nice if God gave us a pass, it is our responsibility to take the necessary actions to reverse those consequences and to avoid them in the future.

We’ve been guaranteed happiness and miraculous healing in heaven, but not necessarily on earth.

The Bible tells us that there will be no pain, no death, no sadness, and no tears in heaven (Revelation 21:4). But God didn’t guarantee us the same on earth.

In fact, Jesus Christ promised us in John 16:33 (MSG, emphasis added), “In this godless world you will continue to experience difficulties. But take heart! I’ve conquered the world.”

We live in a fallen world. There’s no denying that fact.

So, of course, we should expect that life won’t always go as we plan or hope.

It is our experiences on earth, our time spent in mortal bodies subject to injury and disease and decay, that make us long for our real home in heaven. They will only make our homecoming that much sweeter and more triumphant.

In the meantime, if we actively focus our attention on our eternal home, God can help us view our earthly circumstances in a different, more accurate light.

We’ve been called to rejoice in suffering.

Ouch. No one likes this calling.

But 1 Peter 4:12-13 (emphasis added) instructs us, “Friends, when life gets really difficult, don’t jump to the conclusion that God isn’t on the job. Instead, be glad that you are in the very thick of what Christ experienced. This is a spiritual refining process, with glory just around the corner.”

The Apostle Paul explained in 2 Corinthians 1:9 that suffering forces us to rely on God, remembering what he has already done for us and trusting him to do it again. In 2 Corinthians 11:24-30, he shares a powerful testimony of his own suffering:

“Five times I received from the Jews the forty lashes minus one. Three times I was beaten with rods, once I was pelted with stones, three times I was shipwrecked, I spent a night and a day in the open sea, I have been constantly on the move. I have been in danger from rivers, in danger from bandits, in danger from my fellow Jews, in danger from Gentiles; in danger in the city, in danger in the country, in danger at sea; and in danger from false believers. I have labored and toiled and have often gone without sleep; I have known hunger and thirst and have often gone without food; I have been cold and naked. Besides everything else, I face daily the pressure of my concern for all the churches. Who is weak, and I do not feel weak? Who is led into sin, and I do not inwardly burn? If I must boast, I will boast of the things that show my weakness.”

Why boast of things that show his own weakness?

He explains in 2 Corinthians 12:9-10: “But [God} said to me, ‘My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.’ Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me. That is why, for Christ’s sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong.”

The Power of Prayer

When facing trials of illness, your prayer life becomes a stronghold of hope and a testament to your faith. Whether you’re praying for personal healing or standing in the gap for others, prayer can act as a powerful channel for God’s grace and comfort.

Praying for Healing

When you pray for healing, you’re engaging in a practice steeped in biblical tradition.

James 5:14-15 encourages us to call upon church elders to anoint the sick with oil and pray a prayer of faith. This is not a hollow ritual; it’s an intimate plea for God’s intervention.

Remember, prayer is not a magic formula. It’s about expressing your desires while submitting to God’s will, which may not always align with earthly healing.

• Scriptural Basis: James 5:14-15
• Focus: Pray with the belief that God can heal.
• Action: Involve the church’s elders and use anointing oil as an act of faith.

Intercessory Prayer and the Community of Faith

Interceding on behalf of others is a critical aspect of your faith experience.

When you partake in intercessory prayer, you’re upholding the afflicted within the loving embrace of your community. Your prayers are a plea for God’s mercy and are often done collectively, reflecting the communal nature of the Christian faith.

• Importance: Upholding one another in times of need.
• Power: Strengthens community bonds and reflects the collective faith.
• Application: Gather as believers to pray for the sick and trust in the power of the prayer of faith.

Dealing with Unanswered Prayer

When you seek healing and are met with silence, it can be a disheartening experience. This section explores biblical perspectives to help you navigate through times when prayers for healing don’t result in a cure.

Facing the Reality of Unhealed Sickness

When you’re sick, you might pray fervently for healing, believing that faith can lead to physical recovery. Sometimes, however, despite your prayers and faith, sickness persists.

This lack of healing isn’t necessarily a reflection of a lack of faith. Remember the Apostle Paul, who despite his closeness with God, struggled with his “thorn in the flesh” that was never removed.

Finding Hope Beyond Healing

As hard as it is to face ongoing sickness, there’s hope in the biblical promise that one day every tear will be wiped away, and pain will cease (Revelation 21:4). This eternal perspective doesn’t diminish your current suffering but encourages you to see beyond it.

Your ultimate healing isn’t just about the body. It’s wrapped up in the salvation and the spiritual gifts God has provided.

Overcoming Disillusionment and Doubt

When you are unhealed, feelings of disillusionment or doubt may emerge. You might wrestle with thoughts of unconfessed sin or guilt.

It’s important to recognize that healing, in the earthly sense, isn’t guaranteed—and it’s not a barometer of your spiritual state. Cling to the knowledge of God’s sovereignty, which surpasses our understanding, and know that your value isn’t diminished by sickness or perceived unanswered prayers.

The Role of the Church

In moments of sickness, most people look for support and clarity. The church plays a crucial role, standing with you in the trial, educating on the complexities of faith and healing, and guarding against misleading doctrines.

Supporting the Sick

Your church community embodies love by being present in times of disease.

Like the apostles who cared for those in suffering, the faithful are called to offer practical help and spiritual comfort. Whether through prayer, providing meals, or visiting the sick, these acts of kindness can be a powerful witness to God’s compassion.

• Practical Support: Assistance with daily needs, transportation to doctors, child care.
• Spiritual Support: Prayer meetings, anointing services, personal encouragement.

Teaching on Sickness and Divine Healing

Teaching on healing is not just about the miracles witnessed by Peter and the apostles; it’s also preparing you for times when heaven seems silent.

Understanding your spiritual gifts, including healing, can bring clarity. Remind yourself repeatedly that healing can be a blessing, but the lack thereof does not denote absence of God’s care.

• Biblical Understanding: Exploring scriptures that relate to healing and divine purposes.
• Balanced Perspective: Recognizing that miraculous healing and the ongoing care of doctors are not mutually exclusive.

Avoiding False Teachings

False teachings can easily mislead you, promising guaranteed health as a sign of faith. Your church’s duty is to discern and dispel such notions, advocating for a faith that is glorified not by the absence of suffering but by the presence of unwavering trust in God, regardless of the outcome.

• Discernment: Encouraging you to seek wisdom and weigh teachings against scripture.
• Correction: Providing clear instruction on what the Bible truly says about suffering, healing, and God’s sovereignty.

Witness of Healing in Lives

As you explore the impact of healing in the lives of individuals, you’ll find stories that offer hope, lessons learned from ongoing battles with chronic conditions, and how provision of comfort can be a profound ministry in itself.

Testimonies of Healing

When individuals share their personal experiences of healing, it’s often a source of inspiration and praise.

Take, for example, the remarkable recovery stories of those who have faced cancer. These narratives can become powerful testaments of faith and the work of the Holy Spirit.

Joni Eareckson Tada‘s journey, after a diving accident leading to paralysis, showcases not just physical healing but an extraordinary life of impact, demonstrating that sickness and death do not have the final say.

Living with Chronic Illness

Living with chronic illness doesn’t negate the presence or power of healing in someone’s life.

Your ongoing battle may not end in resurrection of your former health, but each day, you become a living testimony of strength and endurance. In this, you personify the scriptural account where the Apostle Paul left Trophimus sick in Miletus (2 Timothy 4:20), acknowledging that not all healing is immediate or complete, yet it doesn’t diminish your worth or purpose.

The Ministry of Comfort

The role of comfort in the lives of those who suffer is a vital part of the healing process. Sometimes, the act of comforting is the sign that manifests the compassion and love meant to be shared among us.

You may not witness signs and wonders in every situation, but your presence and support to others can be a substantial ministry, facilitating an environment where the Holy Spirit can work through the speaker of comforting words, ushering in peace amidst the storm.

Perspectives on Physical and Spiritual Healing

In your journey of faith, you may come across times when physical healing isn’t apparent. Yet, in these moments, the deeper understanding of both physical and spiritual healing becomes more significant.

Understanding the Physical Aspect of Healing

When you pray for healing, you might envision immediate relief from pain or an end to sickness. This aspect of healing is often the most visible and urgent.

Physical healing can come in many forms, from the miraculous to the medical, such as visiting a chiropractor or receiving treatment for an illness. It reflects God’s power to restore our bodies.

The prayer of faith may lead to such healings, as James 4:2 suggests, “You do not have because you do not ask God.”

Emphasizing Spiritual Healing Over Physical

Sometimes, physical healing isn’t the outcome, and that’s when spiritual healing takes a prominent role. Spiritual healing involves finding peace, strength, and a sense of purpose despite physical ailments. It acknowledges that sickness and death are part of the human experience but emphasizes the eternal wholeness offered through faith.

Remember, spiritual gifts, including healing, serve to edify and comfort those enduring hardships, reflecting a profound dimension of God’s love.

Yes, God performs miracles every day! But when God doesn’t heal, we must remember that health and happiness have never been guaranteed here on earth, but are certainly coming to us one day.

We need to remember that it’s developing something in us and bringing others to know God. And we’ve not only been called to accept that knowledge but to rejoice in it!

Keep your chin up, and your eyes focused even higher, friend. You’ve got this!

Frequently Asked Questions

In exploring the divine mystery of healing, you might have several questions about how and why God heals—or chooses not to. Let’s address some of the commonly asked questions through the lens of biblical experiences and teachings to understand this complex topic better.

Why might God choose not to heal someone, as seen in Apostle Paul’s experience?

The Apostle Paul spoke of a ‘thorn in his flesh’ that was not removed despite his pleading (2 Corinthians 12:7-9). It is suggested that through this struggle, Paul’s reliance on God’s grace became paramount, demonstrating that God’s strength is made perfect in weakness.

What should we understand about Jesus’ decisions regarding whom he healed and whom he did not?

Jesus’ healing ministry was marked by compassion, but not everyone in his time was healed.

His actions reflect a deeper purpose beyond physical healing—underlining spiritual renewal and fulfillment of God’s will. This appears to stress the idea that His healings were signposts to his identity and mission.

Are there biblical instances where God provided healing to non-believers?

Yes, there are instances in the Bible where Jesus healed non-believers. A notable example is the healing of the centurion’s servant, where Jesus commends the Roman centurion’s faith and heals his servant, despite the centurion not being a part of the Jewish faith.

Can we find evidence in the Bible that indicates whether it is God’s will to heal in every circumstance?

Biblical references like James 5:14-15 instruct the faithful to pray over the sick, promising that prayer offered in faith will make the sick person well. However, the ultimate outcome is always shown to align with God’s will, which might not always mean healing.

What does the Bible suggest about God’s power to heal in the present day?

The Bible consistently affirms that God’s healing power remains as relevant today as it was in the past. Scriptures such as Hebrews 13:8 remind us that Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever, suggesting that the divine ability to heal continues unchanged.

How does scripture address the healing of diseases considered incurable?

Scripture often presents God’s healing in the face of seemingly incurable diseases.

For instance, the healing narratives of leprosy, an incurable condition in biblical times, show Jesus’ willingness to cleanse and heal the afflicted (Luke 17:11-19). These accounts encourage faith in God’s power over all diseases

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