Introduction

There is a difference between healing and restoration. Healing is the process of fixing or repairing something that was broken, while restoration involves bringing back what was lost and or renewal. The beautiful thing is that God does both perfectly well. Psalm 147:3 says, “He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds.” Do you want to experience divine healing and restoration? Keep reading.

God heals

This is how God describes Himself in Exodus 15:26, “I am the Lord who heals you.” God has many attributes. One of them is “Healer.” Healing is God’s nature. He does not struggle to heal. His healing is multidimensional. He heals us physically, emotionally, and spiritually.

We live in a world where people doubt the possibility of supernatural healing. Advancements in technology have increased people’s doubts about the miracle of healing. However, despite advancements in technology and knowledge, science is limited. People still die of common ailments like headaches and stomach discomfort, and severe conditions like cancer. In other words, certain conditions are irreversible, defying the outcomes of science and medicine. However, God is unlimited in power. He can reverse the irreversible and impossible situations.

During the Bible days, leprosy was like cancer. It had no cure. It eats deep into the flesh, leaving only bones. Those with this condition were banished from the places where people lived. They are ejected and ostracized, not only because leprosy deforms, but also because it’s highly contagious. Therefore, those with this flesh-eating condition not only suffer physical pain but also emotional suffering from abandonment. They are even tagged “unclean.” No one touches or comes close to them. However, the Bible in Matthew 8 records that Jesus touched and healed a man with leprosy.

Isn’t it wonderful that Jesus touched someone who had been rejected and abandoned to die? God not only heals us. But He offers emotional healing that leads to total recovery. His presence gives us assurance that even sicknesses that defy medicine cannot stand His power.

Are you also suffering from emotional pain? God specializes in offering comfort and wholeness. Jesus says, “Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest” (Matthew 11:28). It does not matter the condition or state of your heart and mind, God wants to give you peace that surpasses all understanding and pour into you overflowing joy.

He healed Hannah from deep sorrow and shame by giving her a son after many years of barrenness (1 Samuel 1:1–20). He also healed Elijah, a mighty prophet, from depression, burnout, and suicidal thoughts (1 Kings 19:1–18). He healed from shame, failure, and betrayal (Psalm 51, Psalm 34, Psalm 42) – and Mary Magdalen from trauma and oppression (Luke 8:2; John 20:11–18). It does not matter the category you fall into; God’s healing streams are boundless and endless. It washes away every form of negative feeling.

Isaiah 61:1-3 captures clearly and succinctly the purpose of Jesus’ coming to earth and those God sent Him to. According to this Bible text, He came to heal the brokenhearted, proclaim liberty to the captives, open the prison to those who are bound, and comfort all who mourn. What category do you fall into? His love covers you.

In John 11:25-26, Jesus boldly declares, “I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in Me, though he may die, he shall live. And whoever lives and believes in Me shall never die.” In other words, He has power over physical and spiritual death. He is the life and life-giver. He raises the dead back to life and raises the saints who have died to reign eternally with Him in heaven (John 11:38-44, Mark 5:21-43, 1 Thessalonians 4:16-17). Nothing, even death, can withstand His power. Therefore, there is no hopeless situation with God. All you need to do is believe in His healing power.

God restores

God’s promise to us in Isaiah 61:3 is to give us beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, and the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness. In other words, we are not simply receiving healing but a total replacement. That is what restoration is all about.

Healing might take away pain but leave scars, just like when we have a cut on our skin. However, restoration is when there’s no sign of injury or loss. Restoration is a limb growing back after amputation, having another loving spouse after a broken relationship, and experiencing the joy of salvation after being ravaged by the guilt of sin.

God’s restorative power is at work in all areas of our lives. In Isaiah 61:7, He promised that “Instead of your shame you shall have double honor, and instead of confusion they shall rejoice in their portion. Therefore, in their land, they shall possess double; everlasting joy shall be theirs.” So, even after a period of hardship, disgrace, or suffering, God promises a double portion of honor, joy, and inheritance.

A good example of restoration after healing in the Bible is the story of the blind man Jesus healed in Mark 8:22-26. The Bible records that after Jesus touched him the first time, he regained his sight but saw people looking like trees walking. In other words, his eyes were open, but he could not see clearly. However, Jesus touched him again, and the Bible says, “And he was restored and saw everyone clearly” (Mark 8:25). The most important word in this statement is restored. That is full recovery. He received brand new eyes.  

The Bible also records the story of Job, who had a hard life. His sufferings were too heavy for anyone to bear. He lost his children and possessions. In a day, the most wealthy man became poor and riddled with boils. He crashed totally. He lost everything. However, everything changed when God restored him. Job 42:12-13 says, “Now the Lord blessed the latter days of Job more than his beginning; for he had fourteen thousand sheep, six thousand camels, one thousand yoke of oxen, and one thousand female donkeys. He also had seven sons and three daughters.”

Never give up on God. As long as you are still alive, everything you have lost and more will be regained. Psalm 126:1 says, “When the Lord brought back the captivity of Zion, we were like those who dream.” It will feel like you are dreaming after God is done rewriting your story and changing your life.

From Healing to Restoration

The highest point of healing is restoration. Healing occurs when pain, sorrow, and anguish caused by sickness, heartbreak, or loss stop, but restoration begins when we receive what was lost or taken away from us. Healing begins the good work, but restoration perfects it.

When Jesus delivered the madman of Gadarah from the demons that tormented him for years, He did not just heal him of mental and spiritual bondage but gave him back his life. The young man had spent so many years chained and abandoned in the land of the dead (graveyard) (Mark 5:1-5). He had lost his purpose and youthfulness. He could not achieve what his mates had achieved. There was no way he would even be married because he was not in his right senses, and no lady would consider settling with a man like that on a normal day. So, he had lost many things.

However, when Jesus came into the picture, the young man received healing and restoration. How was he restored? Mark 5:18-20 answers, “And when He got into the boat, he who had been demon-possessed begged Him that he might be with Him. However, Jesus did not permit him, but said to him, “Go home to your friends, and tell them what great things the Lord has done for you, and how He has had compassion on you.” And he departed and began to proclaim in Decapolis all that Jesus had done for him; and all marveled.” Jesus gave him a purpose and an entirely new life – a life he had lost and should probably have been living before he was demonically possessed.

Doctors can help you cure some diseases and illnesses, and therapists can help you offload emotional baggage; however, only God can give you healing and complete restoration, because He alone knows exactly what you have lost and has the unlimited resources to compensate you. Also, because He controls times and seasons, He can restore lost years and opportunities (Joel 2:25-26). That is why you must trust God with your situations and life. He gives you a total package. He gives you total freedom and a completely new start in life.

When God visits you with His healing and restoration, you realize that opportunities lost can be regained.

God wants to heal and restore you today. Give Him a chance. Open the door of your heart and let Him in, and your life will never be the same again.