An investigation into the phenomena and practices of spiritual ...

man to repent and return to the creator in humility in the same way that Job repented andwas healed of his suffering. A moral contrast is offered between those who acceptsuffering patiently in this way, such as the woman who had lived with the issue of bloodfor more than thirty years whom Jesus healed. She did not want to continue in her state ofsuffering and believed that she could be healed and she was healed. This can be contrastedwith the man at the Gate Beautiful (Acts 3) who had suffered from birth, but had acceptedhis suffering and was not seeking to be healed. He was seeking a way to continue in hisway of living by begging alms.Respondent 4‟s account of suffering suggests that only physical conditions such as anobvious physical disability are suffering rather than just one cause of suffering, hence herviews that her sister was not suffering although she complained of many less-thandisablingphysical ailments. Maybe she was unable to feel for her sister as this could causepsychological suffering for her (the respondent). Her sister had also distanced herself fromher by not communicating with her. Consequently she (the respondent) focused hersympathy on her sister‟s daughter and her sister‟s husband. Her accounts of sufferingconfirm her statement, „I have mixed feelings about suffering‘. This may be true for manypeople.Respondent 10 (COGIC) was aware that she herself was ill and suffering. She was seekingspiritual healing through her own prayers and when her own prayers were not effective shesought the assistance of the minister. She believed that she was directed to go to themeeting and there she would be healed (the first part of her story). The second part of herstory illustrates her denial of her own suffering and whilst seeking healing for her sisterwhom she believed was more in need of prayer at that time. The healer probably surmised192