Retirement’s Final Challenge: Finish Well by Drawing Closer to God Even in SicknessSýnishorn

4. If You’ve Been Healed, Don’t Keep Quiet

Healing in retirement can feel like a fresh gift of time — a second chance.

Whether it’s physical, emotional, or even spiritual healing, you’ve been given something that many others never receive: the opportunity to use your restored strength to praise God and point others to Him. Don’t miss the chance to let your healing become a testimony.

After days or months — or even years — of pain and prayer, healing brings joy, relief, and celebration. It feels like a victory. And it is.

But Scripture teaches that healing isn’t just something to be grateful for — it’s something to respond to. It calls us to return to the Healer with thanksgiving and witness.

One of the clearest examples comes from Luke 17. Ten men with leprosy cried out to Jesus, and He healed them all. But only one returned: the Samaritan.

“He threw himself at Jesus’ feet and thanked him — and he was a Samaritan. Jesus asked, ‘Were not all ten cleansed? Where are the other nine?’” — Luke 17:16–17 NIV

Gratitude is not automatic. Even miraculous healing can be met with forgetfulness.

But don’t let that be your story. When healing comes, don’t move on too quickly. Stop, reflect, and return to Jesus with thanks. Let your story of recovery become a living testimony — not just about your body, but about your Savior.

This is a wonderful way sickness draws us closer to God when the healing comes: it draws us closer to God in praise and thanksgiving.

David modeled this well. After experiencing God’s healing, he wrote:

“Praise the Lord, my soul, and forget not all his benefits — who forgives all your sins and heals all your diseases.” — Psalm 103:2–3 NIV

Healing is never random or earned — it is mercy. And mercy is meant to be shared.

Brain Cancer Epilogue

Remember the little girl from Day Two who was healed of brain cancer? Her healing changed more than just her body. As time passed, her family began to see the full scope of what God had done. Neighbors, classmates, and extended family were all touched by her story.

And here’s what they realized: no number of Christmas invitations or church programs could have reached that many people the way this one healing did. Her restoration became a ripple of revival.

God healed her — but the miracle wasn’t just for her. It was for others, too.

Take Time to Reflect

If you’ve experienced healing in any form — physically, emotionally, relationally — don’t keep it to yourself.

You didn’t just survive. You were sustained. And that’s not a secret to hide — it’s a story to share. So, tell your story. Thank God loudly. Let your praise draw others to Him. Let what the Bible says be true because of your life too:

“Many will see and fear the Lord and put their trust in him.” — Psalm 40:3b NIV

Ask yourself:

• Have I truly stopped to thank God for what He’s done?
• Who needs to hear my story of healing?
• How can my praise today plant a seed of hope in someone else?

This is your opportunity. You’ve seen God move.

Let the gratitude in your heart become a public song — a declaration that God is real, God is good, and God is near.