The Healing Power of Faith and Presence
There are things in this life that we can measure, weigh, and analyze under a microscope. And then, there are things that simply defy explanation.
As a doctor, I spent years studying the science of the body. But as I sit here in the gazebo today, watching the wind move through the trees—unseen but undeniably felt—I am reminded that the spirit is just as powerful as the cells it inhabits.
Sometimes, the body knows how to heal simply because the spirit leads the way.
A Dance of Miracles
I remember witnessing a moment that science couldn’t fully explain. Whether I saw it with my own eyes or on a screen, the image is branded into my memory.
It was a spiritual healing session. A woman arrived in a wheelchair, her mobility stolen by illness. When it was her turn, the preacher simply took her by the hand and prayed.
At first, she was hesitant. You could see the fear of falling in her eyes. But then, she found her footing. She became steady. And by the end? She was not only walking; she was dancing.
It was incredibly moving. It was a testament to the fact that when we tap into “energy,” “light,” and faith, we unlock a potential for healing that medicine alone cannot always reach.
Anchoring the Soul: My Daily Rituals
We don’t need a stage or a faith healer to experience this connection every day. For me, it starts in the quiet hours of the morning.
I cherish my Quiet Time. I use a daily devotional that pairs a Bible verse with a story, illustrating our walk with Jesus. It is my spiritual breakfast.
- In the morning: I pray for my family, my friends, and anyone I know who is grappling with a condition of the spirit. I give thanks for the new opportunity to be of service to my fellow humans.
- At night: I close the day with gratitude. I give thanks for my spouse, my siblings, and I ask for restful sleep.
An attitude of gratitude is medicine. It helps us think positively rather than dwelling on fears or problems. It shifts our frequency from worry to peace.
The Illusion of Fear (A Sonnet)
Fear and anxiety are often just false perceptions—shadows that look like monsters. We worry about “what if” instead of embracing “what is.”
I once wrote a Sonnet to capture this very feeling. I would love to share it with you:
If only we could see Beyond today, then surely we, With retrospective glance would smile At all the petty follies that beset us now And cause remorse the while.
We would be as the journeying pilgrim who, with labored stride Moves on towards his goal Which, having been attained, he soon forgets the irksome path In sweet refreshment of his weary soul
We, then, would know the joy of labors past The satisfaction of the finished deed Our sorrows and frustrations wouldn’t last. But no! These previews are denied us mortal men We can but live the moment, and, that done, begin again.
Live the Moment
Basically, what this poem says is that we need to focus on the moment we have. We must live fully in the present.
Worrying about what might be—or what might have been—weighs us down with illusions. For example, just because someone has a fear of flying does not mean something is going to go wrong on the flight. The fear is real to them, but the danger is often an illusion.
Don’t worry, be happy.
We are denied the preview of the future, and that is actually a blessing. It allows us to focus on the “now.”
How do you ground yourself when fear tries to take over?
I invite you to take a deep breath, say a prayer of gratitude, and simply begin again.