Wounded Healers - New Evangelizers

Elisha died and was buried. Every year bands of Moabites used to invade the land of Israel. One time during a funeral, one of those bands was seen, and the people threw the corpse into Elisha’s tomb and ran off. As soon as the body came into contact with Elisha’s bones, the man came back to life and stood up. 2 Kings 13: 20-21

Contact with Elisha’s lifeless bones brought another man back to life. With that much power, why did Elisha die in the first place? Why couldn’t he heal himself? Maybe it’s the same principle as a surgeon who can’t perform surgery on himself. We can do for others what we can’t do for ourselves and they can help us when we can’t make it on our own. We need each other. We’re meant to live in community and help one another.

Sometimes our very wounds and weaknesses empower us to be useful to others. They give us credibility, a point of empathy, common ground, and hands-on experience. In AA, one recovering alcoholic helps another in ways a non-alcoholic helper never could. Someone who has gone through similar challenges can give us strength and hope. They can help us find the way out of our dilemma because they have been there. They know what we’re up against and what it feels like. We can identify with others who have overcome—or at least learned to cope with—the same challenges we’re facing.

There is power in weakness. When we feel weak and ineffective God may be preparing us for service. I’ve had physical and emotional challenges that I wouldn’t want to go through again, yet I can see how God has brought good out of each and every one of them. I’ve been able to encourage others who have similar physical problems or are limited by incapacity. I’ve been able to reassure others in stormy emotional situations because I’ve weathered some myself.

I’ve also learned a lot about being there for others more effectively through my own difficulties. I’ve learned that platitudes don’t help. I’ve learned that offering solutions isn’t necessary—especially when those solutions have probably already been thought of. I’ve learned saying “You look so good” in an effort to cheer up someone who feels lousy has little effect. It can even make the sufferer think their pain is being taken lightly.

What works? Honesty and kindness. I learned this through my own weakness. As St. Paul said, “When I am weak, then I am strong.” (2 Corinthians 12: 10) You can’t get weaker than Elisha’s lifeless remains, but another regained life through them anyway. It wasn’t Elisha’s power, it was God’s. God may work through us best just when we feel weakest.

Prayer: Lord, use my weakness.

 

Reflection: How might God want to work through your weaknesses?

 

Copyright 2015,  Barbara Hosbach

Barbara Hosbach

Barbara Hosbach, freelance writer, is co-chair of the CJ Chapter of the Catholic Writers Guild and member of the Catholic Press Association. Hosbach’s articles have appeared in a number of Catholic periodicals. Her latest book, Your Faith Has Made You Well: Jesus Heals in the New Testament, explores what happened when Jesus healed and what it means for us today. Your Faith Has Made You Well: Jesus Heals in the New Testament and Fools, Liars, Cheaters, and Other Bible Heroes