Should I ask God to heal my wounds or am I asked to co-redeem?

[janiruchan]

I have been suffering from depression for 10 years (I didnt know it was depression back then. but I recorded episodes of high and lows). Now that I am older and conscious and now that I have a deeper relationship with God, I ask him **why he doesn’t completely heal me. **

I have faced my wounds many times. I openly talk about them. But when triggers come it is re-opened. When I was ignorant, I used to drown these wounds by escape mechanisms. But now, knowing myself better, I am conscious when it happens–and I allow myself to feel the pain this time. I allow myself to feel it.

the good thing about the catholic faith is that it teaches me that there are people whom Christ’s ask to be his co-reedemer through their wounds. for me, it’s quite a unique Christian mission, since psychologist would opt for therapy, christians would opt for deliverance or healing or would generally conclude it is from the devil**.But Catholics would advocate feeling and offering the wounds to Jesus.**

while this really sounds good to me, I am wondering if it would still be necessary to go therapy. Would it counter the co-redeeming mission if I ask for personal healing or should I just let it be and offer all my wounds and re-opened wounds to Christ every time it happens?

 

[fred_conty]

By your illness you are broken in some way. In the time Jesus was on earth, many broken people asked to be made whole by him and it was ok. I see no reason why you cannot ask to be made whole again as well.

But meanwhile, you can do a great deal of good for others and yourself thru your brokenness by uniting yourself to the broken Jesus on the cross of salvation. “I make up in my body the sufferings that are lacking to Jesus” was the idea of St. Paul. He let us share in his greatest work…salvation.

In all that we are, God gives us a way to be loving and to do good.

May God bless and keep you. May God’s face shine on you. May God be kind to you and give you peace.

 

[CB_Catholic]

I have been suffering from depression for 10 years (I didnt know it was depression back then. but I recorded episodes of high and lows). Now that I am older and conscious and now that I have a deeper relationship with God, I ask him **why he doesn’t completely heal me. **

I have faced my wounds many times. I openly talk about them. But when triggers come it is re-opened. When I was ignorant, I used to drown these wounds by escape mechanisms. But now, knowing myself better, I am conscious when it happens–and I allow myself to feel the pain this time. I allow myself to feel it.

the good thing about the catholic faith is that it teaches me that there are people whom Christ’s ask to be his co-reedemer through their wounds. for me, it’s quite a unique Christian mission, since psychologist would opt for therapy, christians would opt for deliverance or healing or would generally conclude it is from the devil**.But Catholics would advocate feeling and offering the wounds to Jesus.**

while this really sounds good to me, I am wondering if it would still be necessary to go therapy. Would it counter the co-redeeming mission if I ask for personal healing or should I just let it be and offer all my wounds and re-opened wounds to Christ every time it happens?

I just want to make one small correction before answering, please do not think I am criticizing you. Catholics ARE Christian, and it is not correct to not capitalize Christian in referring to Christians of other denominations. Usually, we refer to them as non-Catholic Christians. Many people do not realize this.

In answer to your question, all is according to the Will of God. Jesus certainly healed people, and gave that power to the Apostles, and gave us the Sacrament of Anointing of the Sick, and gave us the ability to discover cures and become physicians, so we cannot say God is more pleased with not healing. But God also does not answer prayers for healing either for lack of faith, as Jesus said, or because He deems that is not what is best for the person, and it is not His Will for them to be healed, and has another purpose in mind for them.

We should pray to God for healing, and believe He can and does heal, either through a miracle, or through medical science, which He gave to us, and if we are not healed, offer up our sufferings and unite them to Christ’s. Remember that being healed through a therapist or medical science is just as legitimate as a miracle, because science and medicine are gifts from God, and the healing actually comes from Him.

Of course, this is my thoughts on the matter, but I do not believe I have ever heard any Church teaching stating that it is desirable to deliberately suffer and refuse medical attention soley for the reasons you have given. Even great Saints who suffered much for the Lord sought medical attention, even though they were not cured.

 

[agnes_therese]

I have been suffering from depression for 10 years (I didnt know it was depression back then. but I recorded episodes of high and lows). Now that I am older and conscious and now that I have a deeper relationship with God, I ask him **why he doesn’t completely heal me. **

I have faced my wounds many times. I openly talk about them. But when triggers come it is re-opened. When I was ignorant, I used to drown these wounds by escape mechanisms. But now, knowing myself better, I am conscious when it happens–and I allow myself to feel the pain this time. I allow myself to feel it.

the good thing about the catholic faith is that it teaches me that there are people whom Christ’s ask to be his co-reedemer through their wounds. for me, it’s quite a unique Christian mission, since psychologist would opt for therapy, christians would opt for deliverance or healing or would generally conclude it is from the devil**.But Catholics would advocate feeling and offering the wounds to Jesus.**

while this really sounds good to me, I am wondering if it would still be necessary to go therapy. Would it counter the co-redeeming mission if I ask for personal healing or should I just let it be and offer all my wounds and re-opened wounds to Christ every time it happens?

I don’t think you should give up therapy – depression is (as you know) nothing to take lightly.
As for your overall question, in my opinion there’s nothing at all wrong with asking for healing, as long as you’re ready to accept “not yet,” or even “no” as answers, and continue to offer up your suffering.

 

[JohnMPhilomena]

It is good to ask to be healed. It is also good to seek professional help.

But when I ask to be healed, I add “But Your will be done, not mine”, and then I accept the outcome and offer it up for souls in purgatory or for my family or whatever intention you want.

That way your suffering becomes sweet.

Here’s a thread on what the Saints said about suffering:

forums.catholic-questions.org/showthread.php?t=542373

From St Faustina’s Diary - 343
I thank You, Jesus, You who first drank the cup of bitterness before You gave it to me, in a much milder form. I put my lips to this cup of Your holy will. Let all be done according to Your good pleasure; let that which Your wisdom ordained before the ages be done to me. I want to drink the cup to its last drop, and not seek to know the reason why. In bitterness is my joy, in hopelessness is my trust. In You, O Lord, all is good, all is a gift of Your paternal Heart. I do not prefer consolations, but thank You, O Jesus, for everything! It is my delight to fix my gaze upon You, O mysterious dwelling places, and ther I am at home. I know very well the dwelling place of my Spouse. I feel there is not a single drop of blood in me that does not burn with love for You.

Peace,
John Marie Philomena

 

[PaulfromIowa]

We can pray for healing and offer up our sufferings and still seek the best medical care. There is no contradiction between the two.