One of the most important components of living in divine health is adopting the right attitude toward it. Healing is not a prize after which we must constantly strive. Healing must become as certain as our salvation.
Let’s look at a couple of familiar verses of scripture that relate to healing:
Surely he hath borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows: yet we did esteem him stricken, smitten of God, and afflicted. But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed.
(Isa. 53:4-5)Who his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness: by whose stripes ye were healed.
(1 Peter 2:24)
Notice how the scriptures are written in the past tense. Healing has already been accomplished for us through the bodily sacrifice of Jesus at Calvary.
What the Holy Spirit is saying to the Body of Christ is this: we are not the sick trying to get healed; rather, we are the healed (past tense) and the enemy is trying (present tense) to steal the promise of health and wholeness.
When my wife and I were in Switzerland, we drove along the Hauptstrasse in Zurich. It is the wealthiest banking avenue in the world. Much of the worlds’ financial assets are on deposit there.
Swiss banks are among the most secure in the world.
When Satan sends an evil report from the doctor, it is as if a wealthy businessman, with vast holdings in a Zurich bank, were to get upset over an attempted bank robbery! That sounds ridiculous, doesn’t it?
So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.
(Rom. 10:17)
In order to protect our bodies from sickness and disease, we must continually proclaim God’s promises for health and wholeness.
The only weapon Satan has against us is fear, which in turn produces worry and anxiety. Only fear can steal what faith has safely placed on deposit in our heart.
If we want a harvest, we must start planting. Start making faith and health deposits into your heart now. When your body is under attack, remind Satan that your healing is a settled fact.
A lifelong Minnesotan, Phil graduated from North High in Minneapolis in 1963. At age 17, he enlisted in the National Guard and received his commission as an Army officer in 1966. After graduating from the University of Minnesota in 1970, he took a position a hospital representative for Novartis Pharmaceuticals. The same year he married his college sweetheart Annie Haviland.
In 1980, Phil gave his life to Jesus Christ and began serving in the ministry of helps at Living Word as department head over the usher ministry. Phil became licensed and ordained by Living Word in 1986. Two years later he left his position in the pharmaceutical industry and entered the ministry to serve as pastor of Triumphant Life Church in Willmar, Minnesota.
In 1994, Phil released pastoral oversight of Triumphant Life Church and began his own ophthalmic surgical supply business. Five years later, he joined the pastoral staff of Living Word where he lead the community outreach department.
Leadership has always been his passion. The experience Phil gained from U.S. Army Ranger School and numerous other leadership development courses has placed him in positions of mission responsibility throughout his military and civilian career.
The Winns have three grown children, Buddy who married Collette (Fearing) Winn, Matthew who married Lori (Johnson) Winn, and Monica who married Max Farrand. They have gifted Phil and Annie with eight grandchildren.