When the Faith hits the fan.

Posted on September 9th, 2007 by Cam.
Categories: Let's talk.

The ongoing ponderings on faith and healing came up in a conversation I had with someone today. It was not a complete conversation as there were interuptions, but it was interesting to hear the person’s point of view on how faith in God and healing fit into their lifestyle.

I am not sure that I fully understood the point the person was making, but I got the impression that their belief involved there was no need to be sick when you had faith in God. Examples of colds, flu, coughs etc. came into the conversation and how faith in God covered that.

This suddenly made everything seem quite easy. I looked around the room and saw a lady using a walking frame. Someone else was blowing their nose. I have my own cells eating my sternum for breakfast, lunch, dinner and while I sleep. Things are easy now because I can get a clear understanding of where peoples’ faith is at depending on their circumstance or physical ailments, including my own. Easy to calculate, easy to fix. (close sarcasm)

My understanding of faith and healing hasn’t really changed during my experience in the last few months. I still have 100% faith that my creator has all the power in the world to make sickness go away and has sovereignty in the decision. Whether I am dead, alive, feeling crap or feeling fantastic, my faith in his ability stands.

It is just as well though, because I have absolutely no idea what I need to do to ‘up’ my faith in this area. Do I need to talk about it more? Do I need to reject medical treatment to let God do his thing? Do I need to spend hours in prayers of faith (I am not even sure what that means, to be honest)?

I am so uncertain about my outcome, and I am so comfortable with that. I have absolute faith that God is able to heal me, but I don’t equate that at all with my ailments, mortality, sniffles or need for a walking frame. Faith, hope and love are three things talked about in the Bible. I have faith that God can heal. I hope he heals me, that would be great. I love life and I love those that I have the privilege of sharing it with.

In response to the conversation I had with the person today, I still enjoy hearing where people are at. Maybe I will understand more of this person’s belief as I go through this experience and work out that I don’t have to be sick. Or maybe I can sniff, push my walking frame and have my sternum eaten up and know with absolute certainty that God is all powerful, regardless.

10 comments.

The Hoppers

Comment on September 10th, 2007.

Hi Cam and Elizabeth,
We’re still walking beside even though we haven’t sent alot of messages. Glad to hear that your treatment has started and that it seems to be going well. Love you heaps
Sally, Steve, Tobin and Brodie xxx

Pamela R

Comment on September 10th, 2007.

Cam, Cam, Cam – you could be opening an enormous debate. God’s power – true. God’s love, oh so true! You would trust both either way, healed or not. I like to think that 2 Corinth. 10: 3-5 can come into play – that He does will you a future and a hope, an abundant life, that the inheritance can be taken in this life, that the c word is a stronghold we can demolish, that sickness is not of God. Lots of love to you both, Cam and Eliz.

liznlach

Comment on September 10th, 2007.

Ah, REAL theology! Blessings and love.

Pyleys

Comment on September 11th, 2007.

Hi Cam,
I vaguely remember Paul (don’t ask me chapter and verse) asking God to take away the thorn in his side and being told that His grace was sufficient. Unfortunately Paul doesn’t tell us his “faith level” at the time…

On healing I am reminded of the verse in James about “if there is anyone sick among you go to the elders so they may pray for healing (lay hands/annoint with oil) etc”. Interesting that it is specifically the elders of the church and not someone with a “prayer/healing ministry” that God specifies to approach for prayer for healing. Like everything else in life, if we follow his commands to the letter we might be surprised by the blessing that may follow (not that I am an example of this). Such obedience to God’s written Word might even be seen as faith!

Loads of love to you both – Pyleys.

Song for the Day: Anything by the Radiators

Rachie

Comment on September 11th, 2007.

http://www.theopenhouse.net.au/ came across your site. Sheridan must have discussed this on his Sunday night program. xx

Lawrence Jones

Comment on September 15th, 2007.

Cam and Liz,I have been remiss in not passing on some info sooner. My old mate(of 36 years), Geoff,had a plasmo-cytoma and recovered a few years ago. I will pass on Geoff’s contact as he is willing to share what he found helpful,painful though it is for him to revisit.
From left field, the Fender Rhodes piano is going to be used at a street party in Morley for a friend who has just turned 100! The peace that passes understanding is yours and a reminder to all who read your blog that our lives are not our own but are in the hands of One worthy of trust in the midst of any confusion or despair. Bless you both,Lawrence

Related To An Ex-Student

Comment on September 16th, 2007.

I am someone who is possibly similar to some of the posters here, I have beliefs, I am just not sure where exactly I stand on most stuff – it’s all a bit hazy !! However, I have been following this blog since the start (I am the sister of an ex student) and have got one word to describe this whole Cam/Elizabeth/Harris Family Clan – AMAZING. If I am ever to go through trials in my life I can only hope that those around me would be as amazing as the people here.

I haven’t posted previously because I don’t personally know Cam or Elizabeth and I kind of feel like I’m intruding BUT I just can’t hold back any more!!

I think that the topic right now would be a fantastic one for a healthy brainstorm on different opinions – I would love to see some more!

All the best :)

Kaleb Smith

Comment on September 19th, 2007.

Hey Cam
You inspire me because your faith reminds me of the faith that Job had. Job would not curse God even when his body was plagued.
The last sentence of your post is what God told Paul to ‘know’ in the passage Pyleys referred to: 2 Corinthians 12:7-10. Perhaps this is God’s will, however there are also other places in the Bible where God chooses a different outcome. Some thoughts:
Because of Adam’s rebellion the whole Earth is cursed, this world is fallen. Christ came and lifted the curse for anyone who would come under the covering of his atoning blood. So spiritually our souls are safe in God (Ephsns. 4:30). But in the flesh we can be afflicted still by the curse. (2 Corinthians 12:7) However we have God’s promise of health given after the Israelites Exodus from Egypt (as ours from the world); Exodus 15:26. I agree with Pamela R about 2 Corinthians 10:3-5. I believe Sickness is stronghold resulting from the fall. It can be overcome, but it is a struggle, a fight against the forces of darkness that would keep us in the bondage of the curse. FAITH: I believe faith is required (Hebrews 11:6), But that faith it is just a part of the picture. Matthew 17:19-21. Jesus is telling the disciples that there was no miracle because their faith was too small, BUT then he says you only need faith as tiny as a mustard seed to move a mountain! The point is, as a seed will grow, so must one’s faith. But one only needs a mustard seed worth. Feed it with the Word. Matthew 7:8. PRAYER: Revelation 8:3-5. Our prayers are offered upon the Golden Alter before the throne of God, then the Angel hurls the fire of God’s answer down. But if there is no prayer, there can be no answer. I believe it is God’s will for his saints to be whole, but because of Adam’s sin we have to fight for it, as prescribed by scripture. There can be no triumph without a battle, but we are promised Triumph (2 Corinthians 2:14). Philippians 3:14
Praise God that you are feeling much better! I must say for all the “helpful advice” that Elihu gave to Job… [Job 42:7]
You are forever a legend to me Cam. God Bless

Toddy

Comment on October 8th, 2007.

Just came across this post (like I said earlier today – I’ve had a few weeks off – sorry!)
Been reading Rob Bell’s Velvet Elvis book. Very 2005 I know, but a good read.

The whole ‘faith’ thing always gets me going a bit, because it treads a line running between doing nothing (God’s got it in control) and salvation/faith by works (trying harder…)
I kinda figure that if we believe (have ‘faith’ in) that God has saved us from the worst possible outcome (eternity without His presence) then that must be a pretty high level of faith held by that perons, cos there’s nothing else to see that would suggest this is truth. Therefore, it is only by faith, not by sight that we can know this (I know I’m gonna re-read that bit and go ‘huh?’)

I reckon we could all do better by worrying less about ‘faith’ and more about the health of our relationship with God. Cam, you’ve got great examples of how good relationships work – this is an illustration of the relationship we (can) have with God (incidently – my belief, of course, is that you have this type of relationship with God; otherwise you wouldn’t question so much stuff).

Part of me is convinced that I’m right about this stuff.
Part of me is convinced that it is just easier to hold my present view, so that’s why I’m sticking to it, which is silly…

Here endeth the lesser… :) and don’t sweat the small stuff like life/death – you’ll be right!!

Glennis

Comment on October 10th, 2007.

Hi Cam and Liz.
This is my second visit since Peter Hackett told us about you
last Sunday and I’m so glad he did. Earlier I left a comment on your Wine Blooper clip,thanks for the laugh.I will walk beside you for as long as it takes,just go slow when I can’t keep up .Don’t you find life is full of cliches in your situation~select only those which give you encouragement & lift your spirits or make your own as you go along. I quaver between God is Good and Life Sometimes Sucks and firmly believe both are applicable-He is and It does. I take it you know about and have read Ian Gawler who survived the unsurviveable? If not I will post you mine.The man is a living example of defying all the odds whilst confounding his doctors throughout with a combination of orthodox and alternate medicine which he added to the main ingredients;his will to live and his strength of spirit. You already have the latter and loads of good people supporting you.God Bless you both and thank you for sharing this life changing experience.May I leave you with a John Lennon quote..”Life is what happens when you’re busy making other plans”. Glenn

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