A Healing Presence
There is no question that the Apostle Paul meant what he said in 2 Corinthians 7:5 when he stated, “We were troubled on every side; without were fightings, within were fears.” Now, from reading Paul’s resume of troubles in 2 Corinthians 11, we certainly believe him. However, whether in prison, or the middle of the sea floating on a board that used to be a ship, God always sent help. Now probably not like your thinking. The Lord Jesus only appeared to the great Apostle a couple of times throughout his long journey. However, the Lord did show up in Paul’s life through people like Titus, Epaphroditus (who ministered to Paul’s needs and nearly died of sickness while working in the ministry for the church of Philippi), and Tychicus.“Nevertheless God that comforteth those that are cast down, comforted us by the coming of Titus,” 2 Corinthians 7:6. Did you read that? God comforts by sending someONE! Check these out:
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“As the cold of snow in the time of harvest, so is a faithful messenger to them that send him: for he refresheth (like a cold drink in sweltering heat) the soul of his master.” Proverbs 25: 13 KJV
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“That I may come unto you with joy by the will of God, and may with you be refreshed.” Romans 15: 32 KJV
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“A wicked messenger falls into mischief: but a faithful ambassador is a healing presence. Proverbs 13:17 NIV
By these we see that people carry presence, and one person can bring a healing factor into a situation. Now lets get real, because we live in a real world. You and I know people that when you encounter them, maybe at the store, you wished you’d have gone to the grocery store later that day. They drain, pull, and soak all the life right out of you. They’re desperate, not for comfort, but pity. Here are a few scriptures that exemplify this type of person:
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“Cast out (or stay away from) the scorner and contention shall go out; yea, strife and reproach shall cease.” Proverbs 22:10 KJV
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“People with bad tempers are always in trouble, and they need help over and over again.” Proverbs 19:19 Contemporary English Version
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“Leave the presence of a fool.” Proverbs 14:7 NAS
Maybe you know people like this. People can be a healing presence or a hindering presence! A person with a bitter or wounded spirit, they are like a volcano about to explode, just looking for a valley to pour their problems into. I don’t want people to see me coming and say, “Oh, God !”
Hebrews 12 tells us of a cloud of witnesses that surround the believer and not one of them have a regret about their race as they spur you on. Now it’s nice to be important, but it’s important to be nice as well! People give off a cloud of witness! It either witnesses peace and strong confidence like a mighty warrior, or a dark melancholy attitude. In the old testament, a cloud of glory lead Israel. In the New Testament, the glory cloud not only leads us, but lays upon us. For we all with open face behold the glory of the Lord, and we show it on our face. I’ve never seen Jesus. However, I have looked at his children and caught a glimpse or two. You can be Jesus with skin on. God comforted the worn apostle by the coming of Titus. Nothing is more expensive than someone’s personality. Some people you can associate with and you will always leave in better shape, and others just a little while with them, and your in the flesh and don’t know why. Why? Because people carry presence. You can literally feel Mr. Control when they walk in the room without a word ever being spoken. You can sense Miss Attention when she hits the door. Why is it that nowadays people are in such competition even in a relational sense? You may be just talking to someone and you suddenly feel as though they are measuring you up. Don’t you hate that?! Or lets say you’re telling Miss Attention about a blessing God gave you. Immediately, she grabs the conversation as if it’s the last one ever and away she runs into her world of “It’s all about me!” Don’t you hate that?!
People, I can honestly confess to you that I get absolutely overjoyed with the blessings of others. I thank God for blessing you today. Personalities can be expensive, so let yours be one that we can all afford to invest in. While people in Christianity are searching for the glory cloud, it might just be on the face of the person God sends your way who has a healing presence and a healing spirit.
