Naaman was an influential man and highly respected. He had made a name for himself—or so he thought—in spite of a shameful and debilitating disease. I can relate to Naaman in that way. I too was respected for my accomplishments. Many affirmed me for all that I had done and was doing but the shame I felt because of my struggles never was silenced. I knew the truth about me, even if others could only see my victories.
It was the Naaman who everyone thought was great who showed up at Elisha’s home that day. He came with his full entourage expecting to be treated like a great man instead of a sick one. Elisha didn’t even darken the door. He sent a messenger with the instructions. Instead of being grateful, Naaman felt disrespected and dishonored. Not only that, Naaman had envisioned a much grander and glorious healing experience—not a disrobing in front of everyone, showing how deformed and disfigured the leprosy had made him, and dipping seven times in the muddy water of the Jordan.
What about you? Are you coming to this group like the guy who everyone else thinks is great? Or are you presenting yourself humbly as a sick man in desperate need of healing? Are you expecting God to heal you in a grand and glorious way and mad that He hasn’t already? Or are you willing to disrobe and let people see what you are most ashamed of so that you can be healed?
You will receive healing and restoration to the degree that you surrender. Don’t belabor the process. Choose surrender first instead of making it your last resort.
– Troy Haas, First Steps
Last Week’s Blog about Naaman: