Overcoming Fear and Trusting Jesus in Physical Disability
Overcoming fear and trusting Jesus in the context of physical disability is a theme woven throughout the New Testament, often highlighted by miraculous healings that demonstrate Jesus' authority and compassion. The Gospels record instances where Jesus directly addresses physical ailments, linking healing with faith and forgiveness [2, 9].
One prominent example is the healing of the paralytic in Matthew 9. Jesus, "seeing their faith," tells the paralyzed man, "Son, cheer up! Your sins are forgiven you" [2]. This account suggests that the faith of those who brought the man to Jesus played a role in the healing [7]. The act of forgiving sins, which might have no immediate visible effect, is then corroborated by the physical miracle of enabling the paralytic to walk, thereby demonstrating Jesus' divine authority [6]. This narrative underscores that physical healing can be intertwined with spiritual restoration and the forgiveness of sins.
Similarly, in Acts, Peter heals a man lame from birth, stating, "By faith in the name of Jesus, this man whom you see and know has been made strong. It is Jesus’ name and the faith that comes through Him that has given him this complete healing in your presence" [1]. This miracle, like others, serves to represent the spiritual impotency of humanity until God's grace provides strength [11]. The ability to access God's favor and grace is consistently linked to faith in Christ Jesus [10].
The concept of "assurance" in the New Testament, particularly in Hebrews 10:22, refers to a "fullness of faith in God which leaves no room for doubt" [5]. This unwavering conviction in the truth of Scripture's declarations provides a joyful steadfastness [5]. Such assurance can be a source of strength for those facing physical challenges. The apostle Paul's declaration, "I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength" (Philippians 4:13), is often cited in this context, emphasizing reliance on Christ for empowerment in various circumstances [3].
Access to God, which is essential for overcoming fear and fostering trust, is presented as being "of God" and "by Christ" [4]. This access is obtained through faith and is a privilege of believers [4]. It allows individuals to approach God with confidence to "obtain mercy and grace" [4]. Even in affliction, whether physical or mental, believers are encouraged to turn to God, as exemplified in the Psalms [8].
The New Testament also records instances where individuals, despite their physical conditions, demonstrate profound faith. For example, the woman with a chronic hemorrhage, who touched Jesus' garment, did so out of faith, even though she initially feared being discovered [12]. Jesus' response to her, "Daughter, your faith has made you well; go in peace, and be healed of your disease" (Mark 5:34), highlights the transformative power of faith. These accounts collectively illustrate that trusting Jesus in the face of physical disability involves not only seeking physical healing but also finding spiritual strength, forgiveness, and assurance through faith in Him.
Sources
- Acts “Acts 3:16 (BSB) — By faith in the name of Jesus, this man whom you see and know has been made strong. It is Jesus’ name and the faith that comes through Him that has given him this complete healing in your presence.”
- Matthew “Behold, they brought to him a man who was paralyzed, lying on a bed. Jesus, seeing their faith, said to the paralytic, “Son, cheer up! Your sins are forgiven you.” -- Matthew 9:2”
- Philippians “Philippians 4:13 (BSB) — I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength.”
- Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Access to God — Is of God -- Ps 65:4. Is by Christ -- Joh 10:7, 9; 14:6; Ro 5:2; Eph 2:13; 3:12; Heb 7:9, 25; 10:19; 1Pe 3:18. Is by the Holy Spirit -- Eph 2:18. Obtained through faith -- Ac 14:27; Ro 5:2; Eph 3:12; Heb 11:6. Follows upon reconciliation to God -- Col 1:21,22. In Prayer -- See Prayer. De 4:7; Mt 6:6; 1Pe 1:17. In his temple -- Ps 15:1; 27:4; 43:3; 65:4. To obtain mercy and grace -- Heb 4:16. A privilege of saints -- De 4:7; Ps 15:1; 23:6; 24:3,4. Saints have, with confidence -- Eph 3:12; Heb 4:16; 10:19,20. Vouchsafed to repenting sinners -- See Repen”
- Easton's Bible Dictionary “Easton's Bible Dictionary: Assurance — The resurrection of Jesus (Acts 17:31) is the "assurance" (Gr. pistis, generally rendered "faith") or pledge God has given that his revelation is true and worthy of acceptance. The "full assurance [Gr. plerophoria, full bearing'] of faith" (Heb. 10:22) is a fulness of faith in God which leaves no room for doubt. The "full assurance of understanding" (Col. 2:2) is an entire unwavering conviction of the truth of the declarations of Scripture, a joyful steadfastness on the part of any one of conviction that he has grasped the very truth. The "full assurance ”
- Matthew (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Matthew 9:5: 9:5 It is easier for Jesus to pronounce forgiveness, since that might have no verifiable effects; it is harder to enable a paralytic to walk. The miracle, visible to all, corroborates Jesus’ authority to forgive sins and forces all who witness it to decide about Jesus.”
- Matthew (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Matthew 9:2: And behold, they brought to him a man sick of the palsy,.... That is, some of the inhabitants of Capernaum, four men of that city particularly; for Mark says, Mar 2:3 he "was borne of four": these brought him to Jesus, lying on a bed, or couch, he being so enfeebled by the disease upon him, his nerves so weak, and the members of his body in such a tremor, that he was not able to walk himself, nor even to be carried by others in any other way than this. And Jesus seeing their faith; the faith of the bearers of him, his friends, who brought out a man to be healed, w”
- Psalms (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Psalms 88:15: I am afflicted,.... In body and mind, from within and from without, by Satan, by the men of the world, and by the Lord himself; which is the common lot of God's people, Psa 34:19 and was the case of the Messiah, who was afflicted both with the tongues and hands of men, by words, by blows, and by the temptations of Satan; and was smitten and afflicted of God, by divine justice, as the sinner's surety: see Psa 22:24 or I am poor (a); which as it is a character, which, for the most part, agrees with the saints, who are the poor of this world God has chosen, to whom th”
- Mark (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Mark 2:5: 2:5 Jesus saw the faith of the paralytic and the four men who brought him. • your sins are forgiven: Those listening understood Jesus’ words as a claim to divine authority (2:6-10; Luke 7:48-49).”
- Galatians (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Galatians 5:6: 5:6 Faith in Christ Jesus provides access to all of God’s favor and grace, so no further benefit is available through human effort. Faith is expressed by exercising love toward others (cp. Rom 13:10; 14:17-19; 2 Cor 8:8-13).”
- Acts (Nonconformist/Puritan) “Matthew Henry on Acts 14:8: In these verses we have, I. A miraculous cure wrought by Paul at Lystra upon a cripple that had been lame from his birth, such a one as was miraculously cured by Peter and John, Act 3:2. That introduced the gospel among the Jews, this among the Gentiles; both that and this were designed to represent the impotency of all the children of men in spiritual things: they are lame from their birth, till the grace of God puts strength into them; for it was when we were yet without strength that Christ died for the ungodly, Rom 5:6. Observe here, 1. The deplorable case of th”
- Mark (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Mark 5:33: But the woman fearing and trembling,.... Lest she should be reproved, and suffer the penalties of the law, for appearing in public during the time of her uncleanness, Lev 15:25, or that Christ was displeased with her, for her taking an improper method to obtain her cure; or lest he should recall it, or was angry with her for concealing it, and attempting to go away undiscovered, and without so much as thanking him for it. After conversion, after souls have laid hold on Christ for righteousness and life; after they have had the pardon of their sins, and are cured of thei”