Be near me in my time of weakness and pain; sustain me by your grace, that my strength and courage may not fail; heal me according to your will; and help me always to believe that what happens to me here is of little account if you hold me in eternal life, my Lord and my God. Amen.

Have you ever had an issue that has defined you? Something that has hindered you and sapped your life of its strength? Perhaps a habit that has stolen your identity, damaged your relationships, wounded your family, drained your finances, crushed your hope, dreams and aspirations or made you feel powerless and insignificant. Luke 8:43-48: “Now there was a woman who had been suffering from hemorrhages for twelve years; and though she had spent all she had on physicians, no one could cure her. She came up behind Jesus and touched the fringe of his clothes, and immediately her hemorrhage stopped. Then Jesus asked, ‘Who touched me?’ When all denied it, Peter said, ‘Master, the crowds surround you and press in on you.’ But Jesus said, ‘Someone touched me; for I noticed that power had gone out from me.’ When the woman saw that she could not remain hidden, she came trembling; and falling down before him, she declared in the presence of all the people why she had touched him, and how she had been immediately healed. He said to her, ‘Daughter, your faith has made you well; go in peace.” This story is about out one of the most famous “issues” in the bible: the account of the woman with the hemorrhaging. Because of the requirements of Mosaic Law, she was treated as “unclean” until the hemorrhage stopped. She was forced to stay away from her family and other people. The issue also swallowed up her finances in her desperate attempt to get well, but she only got worse. Nobody could be around her and she couldn’t be around anyone. In fact, if she was caught around people, she would have to pay with her life. You might say her suffering pushed her to the verge of a mental breakdown. Her life, her actions, her thoughts all revolved around her issue of blood. But what makes her story one of true victory instead of utter defeat is the fact that her desperation was ignited by her faith. And even though we are never told her name, she stands for all time as an example of how our faith and persistence to meet Jesus can truly save us. This woman was most likely weak from bleeding so long. It took all of her energy to crawl and make her ways through the crowds to get to Jesus. Have you noticed, that in most miracles in the Bible, when God healed someone, Jesus went to the victim? But in this woman's case, Jesus was moving away from her. Still, she got to Him. She made the decision to get to Jesus, no matter what. In order to get healed from your issue, you must also make a decision to get to Jesus. What is standing in your way? Decide to get to Jesus, no matter what.                                                                                               –Sherrie Clutts DRE