Why won’t God heal amputees?

what does the bible say?

Some skeptics use the question, “Why won’t God heal amputees?” to argue that God does not exist (such as at whywontgodhealamputees.com). The argument suggests that if God is both all-powerful and loving, why wouldn’t He heal a person with an amputation when they ask Him? However, this perspective relies on several faulty assumptions that must be addressed in considering God’s purpose and plan for those who live with amputations. God doesn’t always heal amputees because His purposes go beyond our understanding, and physical limitations can serve a greater spiritual and relational purpose (2 Corinthians 1:3-4). Many faithful servants faced hardships, injustices, and physical challenges—like Joseph in slavery (Genesis 37:25-28), David being hunted (2 Samuel 15:13-17), and Paul’s thorn in the flesh (2 Corinthians 12:7-10)—yet God used their lives to accomplish His plans in ways that glorified Him. Jesus healed some with physical impairments, such as Malchus’ ear (Luke 22:50-51) and lepers (Mark 1:40-42; Luke 17:12-14), but He never promised universal healing, reminding us that ultimate restoration comes in eternity (Revelation 21:4). Challenges like disability or loss can foster patience, resilience, and the ability to comfort and inspire others facing similar struggles (2 Corinthians 1:4). Believers like Nick Vujicic demonstrate how God can use limitations to impact countless lives and point others toward Him. Instead of questioning God’s existence when healing doesn’t occur, we are called to trust His wisdom, embrace His plan, and allow our lives—imperfect as they may be—to serve His purposes (Romans 8:28). True hope rests not in physical restoration but in God’s eternal promises and transformative work in our hearts (John 6:63).

from the old testament

• Many people throughout Scripture have endured hardships, injustices, and physical challenges. Jacob was tricked by Laban into serving him longer by switching his daughters in marriage (Genesis 29:21-25). Joseph was kidnapped (Genesis 37:25-28), sold into slavery (37:36), wrongfully imprisoned (39:11-20) and utterly forgotten (40:23). David was hunted down (1 Samuel 20:33) and overthrown (2 Samuel 15:13-17). A price was put on Elijah’s head (1 Kings 19:1-3). Jeremiah was never listened to in his entire ministry (Jeremiah 7:27-28). Daniel was taken into exile with his friends (Daniel 1:3-7) and thrown into a lion’s den (6:16-18) while his friends were thrown into a furnace (3:19-23). Esther was kidnapped and forced to endure a grooming ritual in a foreign l and (Esther 2:8). God was still good through all of those difficulties and used them for His glory and good purposes.

from the new testament

• Jesus healed some people’s physical impairments, such as Malchus’ ear (Luke 22:50-51) and lepers (Mark 1:40-42; Luke 17:12-14), but He never promised healing for everyone.
• God not healing every ailment reminds us that ultimate restoration comes in eternity (Revelation 21:4).
• We don’t always underst and the greater healing beyond the physical (John 6:60-66), but God has good purposes for us through them.
• We are sometimes left in situations to learn patience and to have a connection with others in our same condition (2 Corinthians 1:3-4).
• Paul had a thorn in the flesh and repeatedly asked for it to be removed. His answer was to endure it with grace (2 Corinthians 12:7-10).
• Sometimes our prayers for healing are not ultimately about wanting Christ, which is selfish (James 4:3) .

implications for today

There is a difference between saying God can heal everyone and saying God will heal everyone. God has never promised healing to all people in this life. One of the aspects believers anticipate in heaven is to have a new body, which will be free from the problems and limitations of one’s body in this life. God often uses those with physical limitations to inspire others as part of His divine plan. Nick Vujicic is a Christian who lives without legs or arms, yet serves as an inspirational speaker to many, calling them to “life without limits” (lifewithoutlimbs.org). He serves as one of many examples of those with physical limitations who inspire many through their resilience. Those who question God’s existence because of amputees who are not healed assume that if God does not heal them, He does not exist. Yet this logic denies that a perfect God could work through people with imperfect bodies to accomplish His purposes. God has often used the most unlikely and least expected people to accomplish His plans. This was true of David, a young shepherd boy who became king; it was also true of Esther, an enslaved queen who saved her entire nation; as well as Joseph, a foreign prisoner who was used to lead Egypt and save the people of Jacob. Finally, 2 Corinthians 1:3-4 offers another powerful response relevant to this issue: “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our affliction, so that we may be able to comfort those who are in any affliction, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God.” Paul noted that those who have been afflicted can help others dealing with similar issues. God has good purposes for us even in our difficulty or ailments. For example, those who are impacted by disability often have the ability to best help others in this situation (For instance, the ministry of Joni Eareckson Tada called Joni and Friends). Those who have served time in prison can often best help others in prison (For example, through Prison Fellowship). God’s lack of healing may be part of His plan to work in a person’s life in a unique way that will impact lives that could never be helped in another way. Rather than reject God’s existence when healing of an amputee does not take place, we are called to believe and live for God regardless, knowing His plan and purposes are greater than our own.

Recap

understand

• God not healing amputees does not mean He cannot.
• God doesn’t always heal amputees because His purposes extend beyond physical restoration.
• God can use difficult circumstances and imperfect bodies to accomplish His greater plans in ways we may not understand.

reflect

• How do you respond when you or someone you love experiences a limitation that God does not remove?
• How can you use your own challenges to encourage or support others facing similar struggles?
• How does understanding God’s eternal plan change the way you view physical limitations in this life?

engage

• How might physical or personal challenges be used to impact others for God’s glory?
• What do we learn about God from His presence and purpose in our difficulties and limitations?
• How can the stories of biblical figures who faced hardship encourage our trust in God?