Touch is of utmost importance in the healing process. Whether you're down with the ?flu or lying sick in a hospital bed, the one thing you crave most is a gentle touch, a warm hug, a mother's kiss on the sore spot with the assurance that it is all better. Yet, you are so often caught up with mixed emotions, like ?I have the flu; I better not hug anyone.? Let me share a story of a woman who was actually banned from society and as she was considered ?unclean? according to the health law and custom of her day.

This lady had a bleeding condition for years and, after spending all her money on doctors, there was no hope left. But... she had heard of Jesus and how ?he healed all that were sick.? (mat. 8:16; luke 8: 45- 49) She had only one thing on her mind. She knew that she knew that she knew she would get healed. If only she could somehow break through the throngs of people following Him and get close to Him, she was convinced that she would receive her healing. She knew that she could be stoned to death for approaching anyone in her present condition. In fact, she was required to wear special clothing that set her apart so that everyone would know she was unclean. Giving no thought to the fear that was in her mind, she had only one goal, and that was to get her healing. Crawling low through the crowd, she strained and reached with all the strength left in her, all the while saying to herself: ?if I may but touch the hem of his garment, I shall be whole.? Over and over she repeated those words out loud. They empowered her to greater and greater faith. She saw in her mind's eye, and heard, the desired end result constantly.

There! She did it! She just touched the hem of Jesus? garment and instantly the bleeding stopped. Then a voice boomed through the crowd: ?who touched me?? Jesus now turned facing her; his disciples surprised that He should ask the question with hundreds of people all around. Realizing He knew that it was she who had touched Him, she faced Him and acknowledged out loud to everyone what she had done and that she was healed. Jesus assured her: ?Daughter, be of good comfort; your faith has made you whole. Go in peace? Although all sick people who had come to Him were healed, very few had the faith that she had, and Jesus knew this instantly. This woman received the healing she came for at the moment of her touch. Jesus, however, to reward her strong faith, went much further than healing her sickness. He declared that she was now also whole! That encompasses everything! Not only physical healing of one ailment, but also any other type of healing, like possibly her extreme fatigue due to the prolonged loss of blood, feelings of rejection, fear, and the depletion of all her finances. Every need she possibly had was met due to her faith!

Are you in need of a healing touch? Go ahead, speak out loud words of faith to yourself, like she did. Then, do not listen to the thoughts of doubt and fear and ?can't do's.? Press in, reach out, and He will reward your faith!