In our journey with God, we often encounter moments that challenge our expectations and understanding of how He works in our lives. The story of Naaman, the leper, is a profound illustration of this truth, highlighting how God's ways, though different from ours, lead to miraculous outcomes when embraced with faith. This episode of the Health for the Spirit, Soul, and Body Blog from Doxa Missions looks at the story of Naaman, to highlight why we should trust in God's unique path for our healing and restoration.
Unexpected Paths to Healing: Naaman's Story
In the Bible, we find the remarkable story of Naaman, a leper who experienced a miraculous healing. This story is beautifully narrated in the book of Second Kings, Chapter 5, lets look at verses 9 to 11: So Naaman came with his horses and chariots and stood at the door of Elisha’s house. And Elisha sent a messenger to him, saying, ‘Go and wash in the Jordan seven times, and your flesh shall be restored to you, and you shall be clean.’ But Naaman became furious, and went away and said, 'Indeed, I said to myself, ‘He will surely come out to me, and stand and call on the name of the Lord his God, and wave his hand over the place, and heal the leprosy.
Naaman was a Syrian, sent by his king to Israel upon hearing that a prophet there could likely heal him. He approached Elisha, expecting him to perform something spectacular and then heal him. However, Elisha did not meet him in person but sent a messenger instead. The prophet instructed Naaman to bathe in the waters of the Jordan River.
Naaman found Elisha’s instructions and attitude offensive and unexpected. He initially reacted with anger and was reluctant to obey. However, after a conversation with his servant, he decided to follow the instructions. Upon doing so, he received his healing.
Jesus’ Unexpected Paths to Healing
When Jesus, our exemplar, ministered on this earth, He demonstrated many unexpected paths to healing through the various miracles He performed. At one time, He spoke to a storm to calm it. At another, He placed His hands on the eyes of a blind person, restoring their sight. Yet, throughout all these miracles, He often gave specific instructions.
The ways in which individuals were healed were often not as one might expect. Take, for instance, the story of Lazarus. When Jesus was informed that His friend Lazarus was ill, one might have expected Him to go immediately. However, He continued with other important tasks for three days before He went to Lazarus’ location.
Upon His arrival, He was told that Lazarus had already been buried and was likely already decomposing. Yet, His method of raising Lazarus from the dead was simply by calling his name and asking him to come forth.
This serves as a powerful reminder of the unexpected ways in which God can work in our lives, often defying our expectations and understanding.
God’s Unexpected Ways: A Personal Testimony
The Bible states, in Isaiah 55:8-9: For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways,” declares the Lord. “As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts. This verse beautifully illustrates how God’s ways are different from our ways. In my own journey, I have witnessed how God can work miracles in unexpected ways.
There have been many seasons in my life where I faced challenges that seemed to have no human solution. I prayed for breakthroughs, believing God for particular answers, and God’s response was entirely different from what I had anticipated.
In one of these instances, I made a pledge by faith, believing that God would provide for me. Trusting His word that says, “He gives seed to the sower and bread for food” (2 Corinthians 9:10), I expected that God would miraculously provide the finances to meet the challenges I was facing. Instead, God provided a work opportunity that yielded more than twelve times my expectation in record time.
In another instance, I expected God to provide finances in abundance for the education of my children. Instead, He provided scholarships that exceeded the financial expectations I had.
These experiences serve as a testament to the unexpected ways in which God works in our lives. His ways are not our ways, and His thoughts are not our thoughts (Isaiah 55:8-9). As we trust in Him, we can rest assured that He will provide for us in ways that often exceed our expectations.
Trusting in God’s Plan: A Personal Reflection
There are times when things don’t seem to be working as we expect. We may feel confused and tempted to abandon the path that God has laid out for us. In these moments, patience is required for us to see what God has in store for us.
In my own journey, I find comfort and reassurance in two particular scriptures. The first is from the book of Jeremiah 29:11: "For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the Lord, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end."
This verse reminds me that God has a plan for me, a plan for good and not for evil, to give me a hope and a future.
The second scripture that strengthens me is from Philippians 4:13: "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me."
These scriptures give me strength when things look confusing. As I meditate on these scriptures, I trust in the Lord and believe in Him for a breakthrough. I am expectant, knowing that God’s ways are higher than our ways, and His thoughts are higher than our thoughts.
Embracing God's Unpredictable Pathways
So often, like Naaman, we risk missing out on what God has in store for us because it doesn't arrive in the package we expect. We conceive an idea of how God should work in our lives, setting ourselves up for disappointment when He chooses a different path. Yet, it's in these moments of surrender, when we let go of our preconceptions and embrace His plans, that we truly experience His power and provision.
In your own life, are there areas where you're holding on to your expectations of how God should work? Are you willing to let go and trust that His way is the best way, even if it's not the way you imagined?
We'd love to hear your stories of how God worked in your life in unexpected ways. Share your experiences in the comments below, and let's encourage one another with the reminder that when we walk in faith, embracing God's plans, we open ourselves up to the fullness of His blessings.
Your Journey Matters to Us
At Doxa Missions, we believe in the power of community and shared stories. If this post has touched you or reminded you of your own journey with God's unexpected pathways, we invite you to share your thoughts and experiences. Your story could be the encouragement someone else needs today.