Take Heart

This past Sunday was a real eye opener. Our pastor spoke on Matthew 9:1 - 8. I think it's safe to say that the story of men bringing their paralytic friend to Jesus, lowering him through the roof of a house so that he may see Jesus is a familiar one. However, I've never thought of why Jesus first said "Take heart, my son; your sins are forgiven." (v. 2) instead of just making him walk again. Our pastor made the point that it is because our spiritual healing and cleansing is far greater than our physical healing or struggles. Of course, it is not wrong to ask God for physical healing or relief from certain struggles - He healed the paralytic shortly after making the above statement. But the physical should not be our main goal. A closer walk with Christ should be our priority. Instead of praying for just physical healing and an end to financial and emotional struggles, we should first pray that God would strengthen our faith and draw us closer to Him during these trials. Not a real epiphany, I know, but it was a great lesson for me and one I truly needed.