Contending for Healing
“What does that mean?” a friend asked. “Contending?”
I said, “It means to fight for, or as the dictionary says, ‘to struggle or exert one’s self to obtain or retain possession of, or to defend.'”
So how do you fight for your healing? I think first it’s important to understand what the truth is (the scripture) about God’s desire for us.
Isaiah 53:4-5: “Surely He has borne my griefs (Hebrew: pains) and carried (away) my sorrows (Hebrew: sicknesses); … And by His stripes, I am healed.”
Acts 10:38: “…God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power, who went about doing good and healing ALL who were oppressed by the devil, for God was with Him.”
There are many more verses to support the truth that God’s will is that we not be sick. We live in a fallen, sinful world and sickness is one of the consequences of that. Consequently, we recognize that there is a struggle between good and evil over our health and well-being.
We don’t just sit back and be miserable if illness attacks us. We don’t complain bitterly and agree with the negative report from the doctor. No. We say we don’t agree with this at all because we know God wants us healthy and prospering.
I need to point out here that faith is an integral part of contending. If you don’t believe, then healing can remain elusive. The Word says: Faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the Word of God.”
The Word of God is the key. 
The best way to build faith is to read and meditate on the scriptures. They are the most powerful words in the universe. They drop into our spirits as we chew on their meanings. We then become strengthened, encouraged and ready to do battle with the enemy for our healing.
Recently I ordered a CD of healing scriptures and a booklet from Sid Roth.com and it has been wonderful to sit and listen to healing scriptures for 30 minutes every morning. I read along in the booklet and let the words drift down into my soul.
Declaration is another tool for contending. Making powerful statements works! Declare healing. Command the illness (name it if you can) to go in Jesus’ name.
James 1:2-4 “I consider it wholly joyful … whenever I am enveloped in or encounter trials of any sort or fall into various temptations. I am assured and understand that the trial and the proving of my faith brings out endurance and steadfastness and patience.”
Being sick is for sure a trial. But we can KNOW that there will be fruitful results if we remain in faith, believing God is at work in us to heal and prosper us.
I need to say here that I am not discounting medicine or doctors. Take the medicine and 
trust that God will bring about healing in whatever manner He sees fit. Maybe it’s through medical treatments, maybe it’s through nutrition or some other modality. But FAITH is at the center most point in our belief system.
I agree, Martha. Great word. I think that faith can mean surrendering to God in the illness, trusting Him. I won’t fault someone for feeling led that way. It should never be a passive thing, though. My personal stance is that while someone can show the beauty of Christ through gracefully enduring their affliction, that God is leading me to fight and contend. The very name Israel that Jacob earned indicates struggling and wrestling for the blessing. He wants us to ask and keep asking, seek and keep seeking, knock and keep knocking, pound and keep pounding — and, if need be, bang the door down in faith. He wants us to kick in the gates of hell and go in and possess the land of promise. That takes a lot of faith, but heealing IS in the atonement (Matt 8:17). Thanks, Martha!
Thanks for sharing your thoughts, Cheri. It is one of those mysteries … why healing doesn’t come immediately. Look at Heidi Baker, stricken with MS for ten years. Or Eric Johnson’s continued hearing disability after so much prayer. And yet, we fight the good fight, continuing to believe. And yes, pounding on that door!