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Bible Stories About Healing: Examples Of God’s Healing Power – Viral Believer
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Bible Stories About Healing: Examples Of God’s Healing Power

In times of deep tragedy, reading stories about healing from the Bible is comforting. These stories remind us that God still performs miracles of deliverance and healing. These Bible healing stories remind us of the God who loves us and cares about us always.

Everybody has to deal with sickness, struggle, or suffering. Perhaps you or a relative is suffering from a chronic illness. You may feel like death is something you are constantly facing because of the COVID-19 epidemic. 

You may be facing struggles no one else knows about. Other conditions affecting you include depression, anxiety, loneliness, fear, and grief.

Looking around at your surroundings makes it easy to feel discouraged and helpless. You may also be curious about God’s thoughts and words regarding sickness and disease. These are the questions we have when we’re in grief and affliction. We can see into God’s heart when we read the Bible’s healing stories.

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What is Healing Stories In The Bible?

Healing Stories are Bible stories that describe God’s healing power and how it touches His people. These stories are about real people who have overcome suffering and sickness by the grace of God. 

These healing stories can be found in both the Old and New Testaments. There are approximately 12 healing stories in The Old Testament and 22 healing stories in the synoptic Gospels (Matthew, Mark, and Luke).

Significance of Reading Healing Stories from the Bible

To prove God’s healing power and to give Him glory

In the Bible, God is given different names. These names give a glimpse into the attributes He has. Jehovah Rapha is one of the most well-known names for God. This name is translated as “God who heals.”

God is more than a Great Physician that heals diseases and illnesses among His people. He also restores the souls of people. As our amazing counselor, He comforts them from their mental anguish, worry, fear, and despair. God’s people are saved from spiritual death by the blood of Jesus.

Jesus’ ministry included healing.

Jesus was a healer, a savior, and a raiser of the dead throughout His earthly ministry. Many instances in which Jesus healed individuals and large numbers are documented in the gospels. Because of Jesus’ preaching and many miracles, the people during His time followed Him. 

The Bible contains many healing stories. These gospels also reveal miracles that Jesus performed that only He could. These miracles include the raising of an individual from death.

God’s compassion and love for His people is a part of God’s love.

God’s unconditional love for His people can be seen in many ways. God’s love for His people can be seen in healing them and delivering them from pain and sickness. We witness God’s love and might as He heals His people from Genesis through Acts and even today. 

The greatest act God shows love is His Son’s death for our sins. Jesus’ blood heals us from the most severe affliction in our souls.

Jesus showed compassion throughout His earthly ministry. He was more than just sympathetic to the sick and suffering of others. He didn’t just watch as people struggled. He took action to help and heal them. Most importantly, He paid the ultimate cost, death on the cross, to redeem, restore and save us.

What are some examples of healing stories in the Bible?

Old Testament

Many healing stories are recounted in the Old Testament. God’s healing power was especially beneficial to the Israelites. His people could trust the God who delivered them and healed them. These healing stories are found in the Old Testament.

So Abraham prayed to God; and God healed Abimelech, his wife, and his female servants. Then they bore children; 18 for the Lord had closed up all the wombs of the house of Abimelech because of Sarah, Abraham’s wife.

Genesis 20.17-18 

God heals Abimelech, the king of Gerar then, his wife, and female slaves. They were unable to conceive, and God healed them so they could bear children.

1 Samuel tells the story of Hannah, Elkanah’s wife, who couldn’t bear a child because God had closed her womb. Hannah gave her heart to the Lord, and Eli declared that Hannah had conceived. She named him Samuel.

19 Then they rose early in the morning and worshiped before the Lord, and returned and came to their house at Ramah. And Elkanah knew Hannah his wife, and the Lord remembered her. 20 So it came to pass in the process of time that Hannah conceived and bore a son, and called his name [f]Samuel, saying, “Because I have asked for him from the Lord.”

1 Samuel 1:19-20

The prophets Elijah and Elisha have many healing stories. They are called to be the word and instruments of God’s healing. 

Then the Lord heard the voice of Elijah; and the soul of the child came back to him, and he revived.

23 And Elijah took the child and brought him down from the upper room into the house, and gave him to his mother. And Elijah said, “See, your son lives!”

1 Samuel 17:22-23

God raised a child from the dead through Elijah. Elisha healed a Shunnamite of her barrenness and raised an infant from the dead.

When Elisha came into the house, there was the child, lying dead on his bed. 33 He went in therefore, shut the door behind the two of them, and prayed to the Lord. 34 And he went up and lay on the child, and put his mouth on his mouth, his eyes on his eyes, and his hands on his hands; and he stretched himself out on the child, and the flesh of the child became warm. 35 He returned and walked back and forth in the house, and again went up and stretched himself out on him; then the child sneezed seven times, and the child opened his eyes. 36 And he called Gehazi and said, “Call this Shunammite woman.” So he called her. And when she came in to him, he said, “Pick up your son.” 37 So she went in, fell at his feet, and bowed to the ground; then she picked up her son and went out.

2 Kings 4:32-27

Sometimes, healing was also possible for large groups of people. For example, Aaron offered incense to atone for the people when the plague stopped.

Then Aaron took it as Moses commanded, and ran into the midst of the assembly; and already the plague had begun among the people. So he put in the incense and made atonement for the people. 48 And he stood between the dead and the living; so the plague was stopped.

Numbers 16:47-48

New Testament

The New Testament contains even more healing stories. They can be found in John the Baptist’s ministry, Jesus’ ministry, and the works of the disciples within the book of Acts. There are many well-known healing stories from the New Testament.

Jesus heals Jarius’s daughter, the Bleeding Woman, and heals the blind and the mute

Matthew 9 relates several healing miracles performed by Jesus. The first is the 12-year-old woman who bled for 12 years and touched the cloak of Jesus. Jesus then healed her, stating that Jesus’ faith had healed her.

20 And suddenly, a woman who had a flow of blood for twelve years came from behind and touched the hem of His garment. 21 For she said to herself, “If only I may touch His garment, I shall be made well.” 22 But Jesus turned around, and when He saw her He said, “Be of good cheer, daughter; your faith has made you well.” And the woman was made well from that hour.

Matthew 9:20-22

 Jairus’ daughter, a synagogue leader who died, was raised from the dead by Jesus.

When Jesus came into the ruler’s house, and saw the flute players and the noisy crowd wailing, 24 He said to them, “Make room, for the girl is not dead, but sleeping.” And they ridiculed Him. 25 But when the crowd was put outside, He went in and took her by the hand, and the girl arose. 26 And the report of this went out into all that land.

Matthew 9:23-26

Jesus healed two blind men.

When Jesus departed from there, two blind men followed Him, crying out and saying, “Son of David, have mercy on us!”

28 And when He had come into the house, the blind men came to Him. And Jesus said to them, “Do you believe that I am able to do this?”

They said to Him, “Yes, Lord.”

29 Then He touched their eyes, saying, “According to your faith let it be to you.” 30 And their eyes were opened. And Jesus sternly warned them, saying, “See that no one knows it.” 31 But when they had departed, they spread the news about Him in all that country.

Matthew 9:27-31

Jesus delivers a demon-possessed man.

As they went out, behold, they brought to Him a man, mute and demon-possessed. 33 And when the demon was cast out, the mute spoke. And the multitudes marveled, saying, “It was never seen like this in Israel!”

Matthew 9:32-33

Jesus heals paralyzed man

Jesus healed the paralyzed man, carried by his friends, and put through an opening on the roof.

When Jesus saw their faith, He said to the paralytic, “Son, your sins are forgiven you.”

6 And some of the scribes were sitting there and reasoning in their hearts, 7 “Why does this Man speak blasphemies like this? Who can forgive sins but God alone?”

8 But immediately, when Jesus perceived in His spirit that they reasoned thus within themselves, He said to them, “Why do you reason about these things in your hearts? 9 Which is easier, to say to the paralytic, ‘Your sins are forgiven you,’ or to say, ‘Arise, take up your bed and walk’? 10 But that you may know that the Son of Man has power on earth to forgive sins”—He said to the paralytic, 11 “I say to you, arise, take up your bed, and go to your house.” 12 Immediately he arose, took up the bed, and went out in the presence of them all, so that all were amazed and glorified God, saying, “We never saw anything like this!”

Mark 2:5-12

Leprosy healing

People with leprosy were often expelled from society in the past. People believed people with leprosy were unclean. Matthew 8:3-4 and Luke 17:11-19 demonstrate the compassion and power of Jesus Christ as He healed the lepers.

Then Jesus put out His hand and touched him, saying, “I am willing; be cleansed.” Immediately his leprosy was cleansed.

4 And Jesus said to him, “See that you tell no one; but go your way, show yourself to the priest, and offer the gift that Moses commanded, as a testimony to them.”

Matthew 8:3-4

Now it happened as He went to Jerusalem that He passed through the midst of Samaria and Galilee. 12 Then as He entered a certain village, there met Him ten men who were lepers, who stood afar off. 13 And they lifted up their voices and said, “Jesus, Master, have mercy on us!”

14 So when He saw them, He said to them, “Go, show yourselves to the priests.” And so it was that as they went, they were cleansed.

15 And one of them, when he saw that he was healed, returned, and with a loud voice glorified God, 16 and fell down on his face at His feet, giving Him thanks. And he was a Samaritan.

17 So Jesus answered and said, “Were there not ten cleansed? But where are the nine? 18 Were there not any found who returned to give glory to God except this foreigner?” 19 And He said to him, “Arise, go your way. Your faith has made you well.”

Luke 17:11-19

Jesus raised Lazarus from his grave

This is the most famous story of Jesus raising a person from death. Lazarus had been dead for four consecutive days, and his friends believed there was no way to save him. Jesus called Lazarus out of the tomb. Lazarus walked out and amazed the crowd

Then Jesus, again groaning in Himself, came to the tomb. It was a cave, and a stone lay against it. 39 Jesus said, “Take away the stone.”

Martha, the sister of him who was dead, said to Him, “Lord, by this time there is a stench, for he has been dead four days.”

40 Jesus said to her, “Did I not say to you that if you would believe you would see the glory of God?” 41 Then they took away the stone [a]from the place where the dead man was lying. And Jesus lifted up His eyes and said, “Father, I thank You that You have heard Me. 42 And I know that You always hear Me, but because of the people who are standing by I said this, that they may believe that You sent Me.” 43 Now when He had said these things, He cried with a loud voice, “Lazarus, come forth!” 44 And he who had died came out bound hand and foot with graveclothes, and his face was wrapped with a cloth. Jesus said to them, “Loose him, and let him go.”

John 11:38-44

Peter and John healed the paralyzed man

The disciples were able to heal others and carry on the ministry Jesus began. A man was paralyzed for his entire life, and he begged for help at the temple. Peter held the man by the arm after declaring his healing. As he praised God, the man could rejoice

And a certain man lame from his mother’s womb was carried, whom they laid daily at the gate of the temple which is called Beautiful, to ask alms from those who entered the temple; 3 who, seeing Peter and John about to go into the temple, asked for alms. 4 And fixing his eyes on him, with John, Peter said, “Look at us.” 5 So he gave them his attention, expecting to receive something from them. 6 Then Peter said, “Silver and gold I do not have, but what I do have I give you: In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, rise up and walk.” 7 And he took him by the right hand and lifted him up, and immediately his feet and ankle bones received strength. 8 So he, leaping up, stood and walked and entered the temple with them—walking, leaping, and praising God.

Acts 3:2-8

What Is The Relationship Between Healing Stories From The Bible And Today’s World?

They encourage us to believe that God can heal even today

Jesus Christ is the hope for healing. The Bible’s healing stories are not outdated or irrelevant. God’s power, healing might, and miracles are still available today. The same God that delivered the Israelites from the plagues is also the God who works in our daily lives.

Many stories have been told of people being miraculously healed of various illnesses and freed from strongholds worldwide. Healing stories from the Bible are a great way to remind yourself of God’s healing power, especially now that the world is suffering from a pandemic. 

God is there for us. He is compassionate and can heal and deliver you right away.

They teach us to trust God

The Bible’s healing stories show that faith can make a difference. Jesus Christ was inspired by the faith of the bleeding lady, his friends, the paralyzed man, and the lepers. These people would hear him tell them that their faith is in a God who loves and is powerful and heals them. 

We do not lose heart when we trust God to heal us. We trust God to work through us. Even when healing happens in a way we don’t anticipate, we know God isn’t against us. But God is for our good and welfare.

Remember to keep praying for healing.

As we know that God is there to help us, we can trust Him. We can freely express our sorrows to God by praying for healing. You can freely share with God what’s happening in your body, mind, and heart. 

God is attentive and caring. We can anticipate how God will work when we pray for healing. We wait for His response, and we remain patient. We must continue to pray and believe that God is sovereign over all pain and illnesses.

In Summary

We are more likely to give in to worry and fear when faced with sadness, depression, or other forms of distress. We see the world as it is and find no hope or comfort. We feel helpless and resentful, knowing that there are many things we cannot control. 

We find healing stories in the Bible. We can read stories of deliverance and healing that the Almighty God has completed.

These healing stories from the Bible prove that God is powerful and we can have eternal life with Him through His Son. God is the one who gets the glory in our trials and triumphs, as well as our sufferings and afflictions. In times of deep tragedy, reading stories about healing from the Bible is comforting. 

These stories remind us that God can and will perform miracles of healing, deliverance, and restoration even today. These healing stories from the Bible remind us of the God who loves and will care for us forever.

Pastor Duke Taber
Pastor Duke Taber

Pastor Duke Taber

All articles have been written or reviewed by Pastor Duke Taber.
Pastor Duke Taber is an alumnus of Life Pacific University and Multnomah Biblical Seminary.
He has been in pastoral ministry since 1988.
Today he is the owner and managing editor of 3 successful Christian websites that support missionaries around the world.
He is currently starting a brand new church in Mesquite NV called Mesquite Worship Center, a Non-Denominational Spirit Filled Christian church in Mesquite Nevada.