I’m sick. For the last several days I have been nursing a nasty head cold. Cough, congestion, and fatigue have plagued my days and my nights. My eyes just want to stay closed, and I need to take out stock in Kleenex. I have loaded my system with Airborne, vitamin C, essential oils and a decongestant. None of this has made the road to health any quicker. I think I’m missing something.

When I”m sick, when someone I love receives a diagnosis, I head to the internet. I research best options in all forms of healing. Eastern methods, Western methods, drugs, tinctures, alternative options are all on the table to restore health. When it comes down to it, I just want to feel better. I want health restored.

I often forget the power of God in healing. I know it cognitively. I even pray for restored health. Do I believe it? Do I trust God to restore health and bring healing? Do I declare it for myself and loved ones? Honestly, not very often. These scriptures remind me what I have been missing.

“Is anyone among you sick? Let them call the elders of the church to pray over them and anoint them with oil in the name of the Lord. And the prayer offered in faith will make the sick person well; the Lord will raise them up. If they have sinned, they will be forgiven.”  (Jeremiah 5:14-15 NIV)

“But I will restore you to health and heal your wounds,’ declares the LORD” (Jeremiah 30:17 NIV).

I do think God has given us many ways to bring health and healing, but there is one I need to lean into more. I need to remember these promises are for all of us all of the time. I don’t need to wait until I deem the health issue severe enough to offer the prayer of faith. This needs to be my first course of action not my last. I have seen prayer make a difference. I know the promise is true. Do you?

What do you do when you are sick? What is your first course of action? Do you declare the promises of God? Do you take to the internet? Share your experience here and breathe life and bring hope to others.