“And when the woman saw that she was not hidden, she came trembling, and falling down before him declared in the presence of all the people why she had touched him, and how she had been immediately healed.” Luke 8:47 (ESV)

As Jesus makes His way through the street, He is bumped and pressed in every direction. The crowd is excited to have Him back in their town. They have heard reports of His miraculous works, and they have come to see the One who makes it happen. 

Secretly inside, each of them carries a burden they know they need help with, but they are too afraid to ask. Too scared to interrupt as He makes His way to Jarius’ home where his daughter lays sick and in need of healing. 

In the midst of it all, there is a woman slowly, quietly making her way closer. She is desperate for help as she bears the burden of the life-altering issues draining her health, her soul, and her joy.

She has heard many tales of others who have received life-changing miracles from this Man, and each time she hears them her faith grows. She finds herself deeply assured this Jesus is the source of true healing. 

She is careful not to draw attention to herself as she makes her way through the crowd of men. She knows in her heart if she can reach Jesus, she will be healed.

“Almost there. I can almost reach Him. There!” she thinks as she touches the edge of His garment. 

Immediately she can feel the change in her body. She knows she is healed. 

He stops and turns to the crowd. “Who touched me?”

She is so overcome with both gratitude and fear, she trembles as she kneels before Him. 

She feels the words spilling out of how she had carried this burden of being in pain, declared unclean, for too many years. 

She knew how the tales of others gave her ever-strengthening faith to believe He could help her and she was so careful not to disrupt the crowd as she made her way to Him. 

She bravely proclaims in front of everyone how just one touch from His garment has made her whole in an instant, hoping others would hear her words and they, too, would find the faith to believe for their issues.  

“And he said to her, “Daughter, your faith has made you well; go in peace.”” Luke 8:48 ESV

Her faith. 

Because of her faith, she was made well.

But her faith didn’t come easily. It was the stories of others before her, each tale weaving a truth of hope into her heart, and she was confident Jesus was her Healer. 

That is the power of story. When we share God’s goodness and faithfulness in our messy issues, others find strength to believe. 

Everyone has a story to tell. 

Everyone has hope to give to someone else in need. 

What is your story? Share with us in the comments.