Clergy/Leaders’ Mail-list No. 771 (Brief)

(Another response to CLM 750 Why Are Some Not Healed?
from Laurie Lalko)

On the subject of why some are not healed, I think there are some
more pertinent points we should consider.

First, God is not like some great ATM machine in the sky: pray and
get good things. If we are to truly exercise our free will, then
some bad things must happen to good people, just as some evil people
must appear to prosper. If we keep faith in God we will ultimately
be rewarded for that. If “good” people had nothing but good happen
to them there really would not be any free will.

Second, not all healings are of the expected variety. Those who
trust in God frequently find that even with a chronic illness or
severe pain that there can be benefits to the soul.

Finally, Catholics at least, accept the concept of the “victim soul”
a person who experiences great pain as a penance for others’ sins in
a gesture of love to God.

Clearly one of the more common reasons for a lack of healing is
exactly what was mentioned at the end: lack of going with options
that exist. Too many people indulge in things which we know to be
unhealthful. God removing consequences from our choices is not a
reasonable expectation.

Just in case it makes a difference to anyone, I am chronically ill
and have been for more than 20 years. This is not just “theoretical”
to me; I live with these issues on a daily basis.

- Laurie Lalko

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