About a year ago, God laid something on my heart. It was like a eureka moment and something that I always revert back to when I struggle. It’s just a reminder of how great our God is!
It occurred to me that in all the gospels regarding the woman with the issue of blood, she was never named. It wasn't like "Barbara pushed through the crowds to touch Jesus's cloak", but she was known for what her problem was, or what she was going through.
Maybe she was one of those, "Oh look, here's that unclean woman again, keep away" people, as it was highly likely that that's how people thought about her in those days, but not once was she known by her actual name, but instead her issue.
Imagine if we were identified by what has happened to us or by what we’re going through. In the past, I'd be known as a lot of things: "Oh look, here's PTSD and depression, keep away, he's a weird one".
Imagine being judged like that every time you leave your house! Wow!
The woman (or “Barbara” if you like) had this issue for 12 years. She was most likely known by her name in her community, but as time went on, she was known by her issue, and her name (who she actually was) faded.
Matthew 9.20-22 explains her story.
In just two verses from the Bible you can see how her life has been flipped upside-down! Wow, can you imagine how she felt after that brief encounter with Jesus!
Just like the woman must have felt, if we believe that we are the problem that we’re going through (or have been through) whether that's depression, anger etc. we need to be reminded that that's not who we are, but what we've been through...that's a massive difference!
I have never "been PTSD, but by the grace of God and the renewing of my mind, I have overcome it!!
Just like she thought about touching Jesus's cloak before actually doing it, she allowed a God thought and acted on this thought and it changed her life. She allowed God to transform her mind, change her thinking, and that's exactly what we need to to!
We need to turn to God when we feel there is no way out and nowhere to turn.
God can and will take you to the other side, and get you through any storms that are going on in your life…maybe it will start from acting on a God thought!?
However low your opinion of yourself is, just remember that it's what God thinks of us that actually counts.
You are always on His mind, He only wants the best for you, He is your biggest supporter!!
Just remember it's not your past that determines your future, it's your decision to act on a God thought. It's your decision to stretch out in faith and touch his cloak to be transformed!