Faith in Action(2): The woman with the issue of blood

Today, let's dive into the powerful story from Mark 5:25-34, where we encounter the woman with the issue of blood and her incredible journey of faith.

Understanding Her Story

This woman had suffered from nonstop bleeding for 12 long years. Exhausted and depleted, she had spent all her resources seeking healing, but her condition only worsened. However, she had heard about Jesus and the miraculous works He was performing—healing the sick and commanding the winds and waves. These accounts sparked hope and belief within her.

Key Principles of Faith

Let’s explore the principles she applied to get her healing:

1. Hearing and Understanding Jesus (v. 25-27)
   At the time the woman was introduced in the bible, Jesus had already started His ministry. She had heard he was healing the sick, even the wind and wave obeyed Him! The woman learned about Jesus' capabilities through the stories circulating around towns. This knowledge transformed into faith, and she understood that this was her chance for healing. Despite her condition, she was determined to seek Him out.

2. Taking Bold Action (v. 27)
   Overcoming societal norms, she defied Jewish tradition, which deemed her unclean and prohibited her from being in public. The consequence she could potentially face was to be punished. With the belief in her heart, knowing who Jesus was, she ventured out to touch His cloak, showing that her faith was a declaration of action, not just words. She acted on her faith.

3. Inner Confession (v. 28)
   She thought to herself, "If I just touch His clothes, I will be healed." This affirmation was not shared with others, likely due to fear of stigma. Instead, she focused on her believe, avoiding any negative influences that could sow doubt.

4. Resolute Determination (v. 27)
   It was not easy for her to push through the crowd. However, her confidence in Jesus' power drove her onward. She knew the risk of public backlash but held steadfast to her faith that she would receive healing. Hebrews 10:23 reminds us to hold unswervingly to the hope we profess/confess, and she exemplified this resolve. She held on to it through thick and thin.

5. Immediate Results (v. 29)
   As soon as she touched His cloak, the bleeding stopped immediately. This miraculous response confirmed her unwavering faith.

Principles Highlighted in Her Journey

From this woman's story, we can summarize the key principles of faith:

• Knowledge of Jesus: She knew and understood who Jesus was.

• Confession of Desire: She clearly confessed what she wanted.

• Avoidance of Doubt: She steered clear of naysayers and doubters.

• Heartfelt Belief: She hid the word in her heart.

• Holding Fast: She held fast to her confession of faith without wavering.

• Taking Action: She acted upon her faith.

• Receiving Results: Her faith led her to immediate results.

Reflecting on Your Faith

Now, it’s your turn to reflect: Are you assuredly certain that the Jesus you know is faithful? Just like the woman with the issue of blood, your faith and determination can lead you to transformative healing and for any other area you want to see results. Let this story inspire you to act on your faith and never lose sight of the power of faith!

How can I grow my Faith?

The Seed Analogy

Just as I want to grow a tree from a single seed, our journey in faith begins with a small yet powerful seed of the faith we received when we became a believer. (For more on this, please check out my post, "Do you have Faith? Part 2.")

The Bible clearly states in Romans 10:17:
"Faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God."

Meditation on the Word

To grow this seed of faith, the key lies in meditating on the Word of God. It’s really that simple. Meditation is about taking the time to think carefully and deeply about Scripture.

I must admit that many times, after reading a scripture or the verse of the day, I would forget what I read within the hour. This led me to reflect on a natural process that some animals undergo. Cattle, deer, sheep, goats, and antelope chew their cud repeatedly to break down tough plant materials effectively. This process allows them to extract the most nutrients from their food, helping to ward off hunger.

Practical Steps to Meditate

This practical understanding inspired me to develop my meditation practice. Here’s how I do it:

1. Select Your Scriptures: I wrote down several scriptures I deeply wanted to understand that pertained to my circumstance.

2. Break It Down: I dissected each verse into smaller, manageable parts. I explored different versions of the Bible, using the dictionary for clarification where needed. It is amazing that ‘And’ or ‘If’ can make a difference in a verse or adjoining verses.

3. Process It: I put all the different parts together as I allow the Holy Spirit to teach me (John 14:26). He becomes my processor at this point. He sheds more light on it, sometimes taking me to another part of the word. At times, a word will drop in me and I search up on it.

4. Visual Reminders: I placed this scripture/s on my wall, ensuring that I saw and read through it at least five times a day. I remembered the notes and how I had broken the verse into pieces. It has become a part of me, and I no longer use a board now. I used it in my early stages of really grasping what it means to meditate. However, I still place sticky notes on my monitor or write on my notepad at work.

9 out of 10, it clicks! it registers! it makes spiritual sense. Note I said spiritual sense. When I meditate sometimes my physical mind cannot process/comprehend/rationalize what is in the word. The last 1 I reserve for when I get in the way of my understanding. Never the Holy Spirit’s fault.

This approach not only helped me grasp the meanings but also made meditation a significant part of my daily routine.

Signs of Successful Meditation

You’ll know you’ve successfully meditated on a verse when you experience a moment of revelation—a true “aha” moment when the verse clicks within your spirit. Trust me, you will know when. This may happen immediately or could take days of reflection.

Other Ways to Engage with Scripture

Alongside meditation, there are various ways to immerse yourself in God’s Word:

• Read Spiritual Books: Engage with scriptural literature that deepens your understanding and walk with God.

• Listen to Gospel Music: Scriptural music that uplifts your spirit can draw you closer to God’s truths.

• Sermons and Teaching: Listening to preaching provides additional insight into the Scriptures.

The Bible: The Root Source

In my experience, returning to the root source—the Bible—is unmatched. It is pure, sincere, and undiluted. As Paul writes in 1 Peter 2:2:
"Desire the pure milk of the word, so that you may grow thereby."

A Good Ground for Growth

Returning to our seed analogy, Jesus shared a profound parable about the sower in Matthew 13:3-23. Here, the second step to growing our faith is planting that seed (meditated word) in good ground—essentially, a meek heart that is open and receptive to the Word of God. James 1:21 reinforces this idea, encouraging us to humbly receive the engrafted Word.

When the seed of faith falls on a receptive heart, it can grow into a tremendous tree. As we hear and meditate on the Word of God, our faith—just like that seed—can grow in leaps and bounds.

Conclusion

Growing your faith is a journey that requires intention and dedication. By meditating on God’s Word, engaging with Scripture through various mediums, and cultivating a receptive heart, you can nourish that seed of faith within you.

Call to Action:
🌟 What techniques have you used to grow your faith? Share your experiences in the comments below!