My God, my God, why have you forsaken me? Why are you so far from saving me, so far from the words of my groaning? O my God, I cry out by day, but you do not answer, by night (and am not silent), but I find no rest. Yet you are enthroned as the Holy One; you are the praise of Israel. In you our fathers put their trust; they trusted and you delivered them. They cried to you and were saved; in you they trusted and were not disappointed. Psalm 22:1-5 NIV

When Jesus had again crossed over by boat to the other side of the lake, a large crowd gathered around him while he was by the lake.
Mark 5:21 NIV

…. A large crowd followed and pressed around him. And a woman was there who had been subject to bleeding for twelve years. She had suffered a great deal under the care of many doctors and had spent all she had, yet instead of getting better she grew worse. When she heard about Jesus, she came up behind him in the crowd and touched his cloak, because she thought, “If I just touch his clothes, I will be healed.” Immediately her bleeding stopped and she felt in her body that she was freed from her suffering. Mark 5:24-29 NIV

I can’t help delving into her thoughts and emotions within her crises:

I am lonely, I long for the touch of another human being, I miss worshiping with my family friends. How long oh Lord? I am in such pain. I have sought every cure that money can buy. I have no more money to spend. Over the past 12 years I have become weaker. I am in more pain, and sometimes I feel hopeless. Sometimes I think I will die soon; sometimes I even wish for it. I know the Lord can heal me, but when oh Lord?

Then suddenly I hear that Jesus, who has healed many others, is coming to my town! If only I could get near him, if only I could touch his clothes, then I would be healed, then I would be restored, then I would be saved! There he is! He just got out of the boat. Oh please Lord, let me get near to him. There are so many other people pushing and walking alongside him. Oh, I see an opening – I am getting closer now – I can just touch his cloak – thank you Lord! The pain is gone! The bleeding has stopped! I am healed! You heard my prayer! Praise God!

At once Jesus realized that power had gone out from him. He turned around in the crowd and asked, “Who touched my clothes?” “You see the people crowding against you,” his disciples answered, “and yet you can ask, `Who touched me?'” But Jesus kept looking around to see who had done it. Mark 5:30-32 NIV

I had hoped I could be healed and go away quietly. I don’t want to attract attention, or scorn. I have had enough accusation and feeling shunned for the past 12 years. But,

Then the woman, knowing what had happened to her, came and fell at his feet and, trembling with fear, told him the whole truth. He said to her, “Daughter, your faith has healed you. Go in peace and be freed from your suffering.” Mark 5:33-34 NIV

What do you think this woman did next? Can you imagine her feelings of relief, of euphoria, of freedom from isolation and pain? If you have had a season in your life of extended pain, suffering, trial or difficulty, think back on that time. This woman sought Jesus out; she went to him. Jesus healed this woman physically and spiritually. Her faith in God was strong, and her body was completely restored. Do you seek Jesus out when you are in need? Trust in Jesus’ ability to restore, to heal, and to relieve suffering. Trust in God’s sovereignty, in His timing, in His method to bring about restoration in your life and in the lives of those you love.