The gift of healing that God gave us is something the world struggles with and doesn’t understand. Many people think it comes straight from a pill bottle, a medical procedure, or a licensed professional with a college degree. Others who think in religious terms believe they must pray fervently and ask God to heal them. Jesus actually provided healing for us two thousand years ago, and we can receive it if we know how to claim it for ourselves.

It’s not God’s will for anyone to be sick or afflicted, yet unbelief in what Jesus did for us opens the door to pain and suffering. The three words Jesus uttered just before He died on the cross are significant, but their impact escapes most people. “So when Jesus had received the sour wine, He said, ‘It is finished!’ And bowing His head, He gave up His spirit” (John 19:30, NKJV). What was finished was the work Jesus did to give us an abundantly full and joyful life, including good health.

Medical professionals are important in the healing process, but God works through them to bring about complete healing. Science and medicine have their limitations, but God doesn’t. During Jesus’ ministry, when the woman who had suffered with a bleeding disorder for twelve years came to Him, she was immediately healed. “And He said to her, ‘Daughter, your faith has made you well. Go in peace, and be healed of your affliction’” (Mark 5:34, NKJV).

What plays a major part in the healing process is something many wise doctors will acknowledge—faith. Without it, we’re just going through the motions. Faith in God’s ability and willingness to heal us does what medicine can’t. Not only was the woman with the bleeding disorder healed by faith, but a blind man from Jericho who believed in Jesus’ healing power was healed by faith as well. “Then Jesus said to him, ‘Go your way; your faith has made you well.’ And immediately he received his sight and followed Jesus on the road” (Mark 10:52, NKJV).

Believing in the finished works of Jesus in the area of healing results in miracles. Asking God to do something He’s already done makes no sense, but praying with thanksgiving for what Jesus did connects us to healing and wholeness that’s already available. “Therefore I say to you, whatever things you ask when you pray, believe that you receive them, and you will have them” (Mark 11:24, NKJV). Even if we don’t see anything at first on the physical level, our faith puts us in a position to receive what Jesus died for us to have.

We don’t need to put up with sickness and disease because Jesus already took care of that. This includes physical illnesses as well as the mental anguish and spiritual sickness that results from sin. “But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed” (Isaiah 53:5). It’s important to note that this Scripture doesn’t say we will be healed, but that we’re already healed.

Life the way God envisions it is full of vigor and perfect health. When we know His promises to us concerning this, we don’t have to settle for anything less. “He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds [curing their pains and their sorrows]” (Psalm 147:3, AMPC). Believing this allows Him to bring healing and wholeness into our lives.