Giving Thanks-An Avenue of Healing by: Ken Malone
Did you know that there are multiple ways to experience the healing power of the Holy Spirit? Many people focus on only one or two of these ways. Those seeking healing often overlook the significant avenue of “Giving Thanks” as a means to receive healing. Many of us, including myself, typically ask others to pray for us and have someone lay hands on us, as taught in the Bible. However, perhaps the Holy Spirit wants to utilize a different approach.
I Thessalonians 5:18 TPT, tells us, “And in the midst of everything be always giving thanks, for this is God’s perfect plan for you in Christ Jesus.”
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In 2018, I had the honor of inviting Gerald Derstine, a general in the faith, to share his wisdom at Kingdom Gate Worship Center. At 90 years old, he appeared to be in excellent health. As we sat together in the green room before the service, Gerald shared a powerful testimony with me. He said, “Ken, I feel better now than 10 years ago.” I was taken aback and asked, “How can you feel better at 90 than you did at 80?” He went on to explain that ten years ago, he had struggled with severe arthritis in his hips and back, which made every step a painful endeavor. His story of overcoming such difficulties was truly inspiring.
Gerald said, “I went to the Lord and asked why I wasn’t being healed. Holy Spirit told me that it was because I wasn’t giving thanks. I told my wife, Buelah, that if she heard me praising and thanking the Lord instead of complaining, I was following the Holy Spirit’s counsel. So, I began to worship, praising, and thanking the Lord even in the midst of my suffering. Two days later, I was healed. My expressions of gratitude to the Lord turned into declarations of faith, which led to my recovery from debilitating arthritis.
If you read 1 Thessalonians 5:18 again, it says, “In everything, give thanks.” This doesn’t mean we thank God for the problems, sickness, or disease. It means that while we are in it, we should give thanks to our Lord as we walk toward our healing.
Expressing gratitude to the Lord for our healing, deliverance, blessings, prosperity, and the salvation of loved ones and friends is a powerful declaration of faith. It’s a way of saying, “Father, we thank you in advance for all that we are grateful for. Lord, I thank you for healing me. Father, I praise you for saving my children.”
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1 Thessalonians 5:18 TPT, “And in the midst of everything be always giving thanks, for this is God’s perfect plan for you in Christ Jesus.”
Today is your day to fulfill His perfect plan; give Him thanks. Behold the works of our Lord manifest in you and for you.
~Ken Malone