Have you ever wanted something really badly but realized that getting it would require more than you were willing to give? Maybe it was a job that demanded too much time away from family, or a goal that would mean sacrificing your comfort. Healing can be like that too. It sounds wonderful, but there’s often a cost involved—one that goes beyond money or time. This past weekend, Tamika Simmons shared in her message, “Layers of Healing: From the Garden to the Cross,” that true healing often requires us to let go of things we’ve held onto for too long.
In 2 Kings 5:10-12, we find the story of Naaman, a powerful man who needed healing from leprosy. He expected the prophet Elisha to come out, wave his hand, and cure him on the spot. Instead, Elisha sent a messenger to tell him to wash in the Jordan River seven times. Naaman was furious! Why such a simple and, in his eyes, humiliating task? But it wasn’t just about the act of washing; it was about obedience and humility. Naaman had to let go of his pride before he could receive his healing.
How often do we come to God with expectations of how He should heal us? We want the quick fix, the immediate solution, but God often asks us to do something that challenges our pride or tests our faith.
Reflection Question: Is there something in your life that God is asking you to do that seems too simple or too hard? What might be keeping you from obeying?
“True healing requires more than just a desire for things to be different; it demands that we let go of what’s holding us back.” (Tamika Simmons, Layers of Healing) Sometimes what’s holding us back is obvious—pride, unforgiveness, or fear. Other times, it’s something less visible, like a grudge we’ve held onto for so long it feels like a part of us, or a belief that we’ll never be more than our past mistakes.
Healing often means giving up the familiar pain for an unfamiliar freedom. It’s like standing at the edge of a cliff and trusting that God will catch you when you jump. That’s not easy! But it’s the only way to get to the other side.
Reflection Question: What familiar pain or habit might you be holding onto because it’s comfortable? How can you begin to trust God to help you let it go?
In Genesis 2, Adam and Eve lived in perfect harmony with God until they chose their own way. Healing is God’s way of inviting us back into that harmony, but it requires a willingness to leave behind our way of doing things. It’s not just about healing our bodies; it’s about restoring our relationship with Him.
Just like Naaman, we might have to do something that seems beneath us, or that challenges our ideas of how things should go. But in the end, it’s not about the act itself; it’s about trusting God enough to let go of our pride and follow His lead.
“Father, help me to let go of anything that’s keeping me from the healing You want to bring into my life. Show me where I’ve been holding onto my own way, and give me the courage to step out in faith, even when it doesn’t make sense. I trust that Your ways are higher than mine and that Your plans for me are good. In Jesus’ name, Amen.”
Healing requires more than just wanting things to be different—it means being willing to let go of what’s keeping us the same.
Call to Action:
Consider sharing this devotional with someone who might need encouragement today. Check out the podcast replay of this message on your favorite podcast platform. Search for “CITCBA Insights” today. You can listen at churchinthecity.org/podcasts. And if you’re in the area, join us at Church in the City for one of our services. Our Saturday service at 10 a.m. has a Messianic theme, and our Sunday contemporary service starts at 10:45 a.m. Church in the City began as an outreach in the early 80s and became a church in 1991, dedicated to reflecting Christ in our community and the world.