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James 5 – “You Will Be In My Thoughts”
“If you are a religious person please pray for me; but if you are not, please keep me in your thoughts”. Or, “I’ll be thinking about you.” These are the polite things to say by many people, but it is quite ineffective.
I’m sure encouragement can come from knowing people are thinking about you, and even more so sitting in the waiting room during a surgery. A positive outlook makes for a positive mindset which can make for a positive recovery. But….
Let’s say there are 3 “persons” involved when someone keeps you in their thoughts during a procedure: Them, You, and the Medical Team. Does their thinking about you alter reality? Not really. You knowing they are thinking about you does; but their thoughts can’t have the power to transcend reality. Does their thinking about you help the medical team? Again no. The medical team is helped by their own expertise or lack thereof. You are helping yourself with a positive attitude. But….
We need a fourth “person” to transcend, effect, or alter outcomes. Luke 4:23 has Jesus referring to himself as a physician speaking in the voice of his opponents, “And he said to them, ‘Doubtless you will quote to me this proverb, ‘Physician, heal yourself.’ What we have heard you did at Capernaum, do here in your hometown as well.’” From this Jesus has been named the Great Physician. This is the fourth “person”.
The point is with the medical team we have physical expertise. With known thoughts from friends there is mental or emotional help; although the reality is their thoughts do nothing unless we know about them. What we need is a fourth “person.” Jesus is the Great Physician. Praying to God can alter the hands of the physicians, knowing others are praying will give more encouragement to than human thoughts, and go beyond what I think is humanly possible.
So, while I appreciate the kindness of someone saying, “You will be in my thoughts”; I appreciate even more the effectual prayers of the righteous (James 5:16). James writes this about both physical and spiritual sickness. If prayer helps with spiritual sickness, just imagine how powerful it is for physical sickness which is far less serious. I hope this will stay in your thoughts, but more so in your prayers.
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