I selected this woman for many reasons that I can relate to.
She is a strong woman who represents strength of character and heart. She did not let fear hinder her from what she believed. She suffered a great deal and spent all she had to find a cure. Though people talked about her and didn’t want to be around her due to her condition, she had a conviction that if she could get to Jesus and touch his cloak she would be freed from the bondage of bleeding. She is an example to me because she never gave up. Even after she felt his healing through her body and wanted to hide, when Jesus asked who touched me, she stepped forward. Fear and all, she shared her heart with him. She persevered through the trials and tribulations for years, living in pain and discomfort. She did it all silently, since people feared her.
How amazed she must have been to feel instant healing after her encounter with Jesus. There must have been tears of joy as she felt a feeling she had not felt in 12 years!
I relate to her in this way in my current health condition. I too have been subject to continuous bleeding and have been afraid of the unknown. There are several nights I would pray, “if only the cloak of Jesus would come through the clouds and I could touch it, I would be healed”!
The same level of fear that she felt is the level of fear that I’ve experienced and endured. I’ve lived with the financial struggle and burden as I have been fighting this battle for almost 6 years now. As she faced doubt and rejection, I as well have been faced with people not believing I am sick or that I am faking it. I have felt rejection from those same people. As she had to learn who her true friends were, I have had to deal with the same. As she faced loneliness and feeling empty, these as well have been things I continue to battle.
Cancer can be a lonely disease. It is a daily battle and decision to wake up each day and face the world even when it is difficult. This woman’s example of perseverance has been a constant for me with each treatment, test, procedure, and operation I have had to go through. I have learned to be a fighter, a warrior and deal with what lies ahead. There are times I have felt like giving up and not fighting anymore. Then, I am reminded of her example and others in scripture that I believe were designed for such a time as this.
What I know for sure: My faith has carried me through these times of fear and trusting in His word has helped me to carry on; kneeling at the foot of the cross on a daily basis and pouring out my heart to Him, knowing he Hears me. He selected me for this journey and though I cannot say I like it, I can say, leaning on Him has made the difference.
