matthew chapter 8.

He...healed all who were ill. matthew 8:16.

and He stilled the wind and the waves. 

He cast out demons. they stopped tormenting because Jesus ordered them to stop. He sent them to the pigs.

and men followed Him. they were in awe of Him. 

i am in love this morning with the character of the Son of God who had compassion on the sick and tormented and on men whose understanding was limited and faith small. 

my neck has been bothering me quite a bit for several months. off and on. not an every moment of the day thing, but just sometimes i notice it's pretty much consistently sore...felt if i move my head too far back or too far forward at all...or huh...too far to the left or right. or at all. (jk...it's not that bad.) so i have been thinking it has to do with push-mowing our yard all these years. last year we had to switch to a riding mower because my neck and upper back were realllly hurting following mowing days.  but. i haven't pushed the mower in weeks and only use it on occasion and my neck is still stiff. i think it's stress and anxiety and i think this is related to pride. i know...what? what do you mean, steph? 

scott and some friends of ours have been studying the bible together and reading and sharing thoughts about this guide we've chosen to use that kind of helps to walk you through areas of life that you may need emotional/spiritual healing. 

Jesus heals (like He did in matthew 8). still.

and the other night, we came to a section on pride. we really looked at this issue and the guide kind of listed some things that fed pride. including things like leaning too much on my own understanding and experience rather than seeking God's guidance through prayer and His Word. and like being overwhelmed with life (related to relying on myself and my ability to manage the crazy my life feels sometimes) and not trusting the Lord. and things like feeling defensive. and i've been thinking about the stress my neck feels...looking for relief and... 

Jesus heals physically and emotionally and spiritually. 

He showed me pride that is stiff-necked and trusts in herself and doesn't remember to take deep breaths and surrender control of her life to the One who has everything under control. deut. 10:16b, "stiffen your neck no longer."

thank You for healing me through Your Word and pride surrendered and repentance and trust in the One who heals.

matthew quotes isaiah in verse 17, "He Himself took our infirmities and carried away our diseases."

He. still. does.