Have you heard of the Abana and Pharpar syndrome? Naaman had it. He originated it, all because he did not want to humble himself.
Naaman was a “captain of the host of the king of Syria” and the Bible says he was a great man, honorable and a mighty man of valor.
But he was a leper.
Naaman’s wife had a “little maid” who was taken captive out of Israel and she was sympathetic toward her master and his condition. She told Naaman’s wife that if he were with the prophet in Samaria he would be able to heal him of his leprosy.
She was confident of the power of God and confident in the man of God!
This was told to Naaman and he eventually makes his way to the house of Elisha the prophet. Elisha sends a messenger to Naaman and tells him to “Go and wash in Jordan seven times, and thy flesh shall come again to thee, and thou shalt be clean.”
Sounds simple enough, right? Not for Naaman…
“Behold, I thought, He will surely come out to me, and stand, and call on the name of the LORD his God, and strike his hand over the place, and recover the leper.” 2 Kings 5:11. This infuriated Naaman! He wanted pomp and fanfare to go along with his healing!
“Are not Abana and Pharpar, rivers of Damascus, better than all the waters of Israel? May I not wash in them, and be clean? So he turned and went away in a rage.” 2 Kings 5:12.
Abana and Pharpar were rivers that were closer to home and much cleaner than the muddy, nasty Jordan River. But there is so much more here than just two rivers that were nicer to take a bath in.
Doctors are well aware of the Abana and Pharpar syndrome. They see patients with this “disease” quite regularly. They make an appointment, then come in and tell the doctor all about their ailment. He listens, makes a diagnosis and then prescribes his “cure” or course of treatment.
“But wait! This is not what we wanted! We have researched this disease on the internet (everyone knows if you read it on the internet it has to be true!), and we want this treatment, this medicine, this way to feeling better.”
Abana and Pharpar syndrome.
The patient knows better than the Healer.
The patient wants to become the doctor, he tells the Healer how he knows a better way…
But it doesn’t work that way in the field of medicine and it doesn’t work that way with God either.
Naaman’s servants were much wiser than their master. They got together and went to Naaman and said, “My father, if the prophet had told you to do something great , would you not have done it? How much more then, when he says to you, ‘Wash and be clean’?” 2 Kings 5:13 NKJV.
They definitely hit the nail on the head. If Elisha had come and stood before Naaman waving his magic wand and making a big show out of things before Naaman’s healing, he would have been thrilled! But he couldn’t do something as simple as washing in the river…there was no fanfare, no glory in the muddy Jordan!
His servants finally convinced him and he went down and obeyed, dipped himself seven times and “…his flesh came again like unto the flesh of a little child, and he was clean”. 2 Kings 5:14.
Obedience and humility were put into action and the miracle could then take place!
How many times have we been like Naaman with our own Abana and Pharpar syndrome? We have it all figured out for the Lord. “If you will do it this way, God, I will get what I want and everything will be just fine.”
We pray…but we pray with conditions.
We even tell God how it would work out best for us and instruct Him how to go about it.
Are we really allowing God to govern our lives?
If we will submit to our Lord in the beginning, humble ourselves before Him and let Him be in control of every facet of our lives, we can be sure of His blessing. We can be assured of His hand upon everything that we go to do…but we must be willing and obedient.
Humility and obedience. Those two things will negate the Abana and Pharpar syndrome! It takes the ME out of the picture and puts God in His rightful place.
Aren’t things so much easier when He is in control? He sees down the road!! He knows what is best! Naaman is proof…all he had to do was dip…seven times. Naaman thought it was foolish but God had bigger plans than just dirty bath water for Naaman.
He had a miracle waiting in the water.
What is the miracle or answer you are waiting for? Turn it over to God and let Him work it out for you!
I just want you to know that this is a beautiful blog! I also know of someone on fb that is passing your writings off as their own, and that saddens me.
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Thank you for taking the time to comment Eschelle, and for coming by! I love your name, it is beautiful 🙂 Blessings!
You have a very beautiful site thank you for sharing 😀
Thank you Regina! How kind of you! Blessings to you, I am so glad I found your page. I was also happy to see you are a B&B owner! We travel quite a bit and always love to visit a B&B if possible. I am disappointed yours is so far away 🙁 maybe someday!
Hi Candace Jo. Congratulations! You have been featured on my Fan Friday Blog Crush at http://www.reginaatthelake.com. Hop on over and check it out.
Thanks Louisa! So glad you came by today!
These are nice insights. A timely reminder.
Not arguing with Him, lol, I have done that too! Thank you and blessings to you and your family.
Awesome! It’s not about me 🙂 all about HIM! Thank you for taking the time to comment. Blessings!
I do it too, you’re aren’t the only one! God’s will isn’t always that easy to submit to but it’s the best!
Thank you for stopping by friend. Blessings!
This reminds me of Jesus’ words, “who of you if you child asks for a fish would give him a snake, or if your child asks for bread would give him a stone? Then even though you who are evil know how to gives good gifts, then won’t your father in heaven, who already knows what you need, give what you need?” (paraphrase). We often do not surrender to God because we don’t trust him more than we trust ourselves for healing and change. Great post and great reminders. Blessings.
This was such a powerful word! I am slowly on a path of learning to be fully surrendered to God, and that includes not arguing with Him, or, as you put it, praying with conditions.
Awesome post – our message on Sunday had a very similar tone – praying for what we want – not what God wants for us.
I love this story and how you applied it to your lives. I would think that Naaman was silly for trying to do it his own way yet I do it all the time! I need to remember to pray God’s prayers–and not my own.
I had never heard that story before but it has made be think……Your faith is evident throughout!
So welcome Jeryl! Blessings to you!
Thank YOU for stopping by! Blessed week!
Thank you for retweeting Elizabeth! I want the will of God, I don’t want to be telling HIM what that will is. Thank you for taking the time to comment. Blessings!
Thanks for sharing this story.
Great story – thank you so much for sharing 🙂
“Do we really want the will of God or do we want our will to come out of His mouth?” This is powerful and convicting! (I retweeted it.)
As I was reading through this, the Lord was pointing out different areas of my life that I need to work on. Thank you for your wise and convicting words.
Thank you Audrey, for stopping by today! Blessings!
Beautiful post Candace Jo. Thank you for these reminders, very well said!
Oh Katie, I just know God is going to bless you in this big move! If you felt HIM in it then He will be there! Walk in faith, know that He only has your best interest at heart anyway, He is with you! Praying for you this morning that you will rest in His faithfulness and just enjoy what He has put before you. Only God knows why He led you there…exciting! ♥
So true Celine, when we humble ourselves and offer Him everything…Amen! Thank you for taking the time to comment. Blessings to you today!
To trust HIM in all things, amen! Thank you Becka, blessings to you for reminding us HIS way is best! ♥
I am a work in progress. Aren’t we all! I am so like you in the back and forth but thank God for His mercy and grace….He is so good to us and so patient! Blessings friend.
I know better too Amanda! But I keep doing it anyway! God help me to submit and give things to you BEFORE I make myself an emotional wreck 🙁 You are right, we will see amazing things happen when we surrender. Thank you!
I just came back from your blog…I loved that post and know that God will take care of things if we give it to Him! He will take care of your kids too. He is faithful! Blessings to you for stopping by. ♥
Thank you LeeAnn, you are correct, it is a daily struggle until we submit. And release the control we THINK we have…hmmm…that brought up a whole new perspective, or maybe a new post!! 🙂 Blessings!
You are so welcome Carie and thank you for stopping by Hope in the Healing!
Amen! All things, only believe. My God is awesome, He can move mountains, keep you in the valley, hide you from the rain! My God is awesome, heals me when I’m broken, strength when I’ve been weakened, forever He will reign! Couldn’t help it, that song came to my mind while reading your post. He is AWESOME!
Thank you Toiia! I am a little behind on the commentathon but I will be there before the deadline! 🙂 Thank you for stopping by and reminding us of His grace and mercy. ♥
The journey that He has planned for each of us…individually! Love that Elizabeth! It is an individual walk and if we will leave everything to HIM and not compare ourselves with others, things will be so much easier. Blessings for the wonderful thought!
It can be so hard to just let go and trust God; even those of us who are strong believers often find ourselves relying on the self rather than God. A few months ago I decided to take a leap of faith and made a major life/career change that I truly believed God was calling me to. It was the hardest decision I’ve ever made, but I’m trusting that everything will work out according to His will.
Thank you for reminding us about the powers of prayer. It is when we humble ourselves and offer everything to Him that we are able to fulfill His plans in our lives. May God continue to bless your good heart.
I have always loved that story. To trust in GOD in all things is my goal in life. I know His way is best. Thank you!
That’s so true April, it doesn’t work when we try to take over 🙂 Thank you for sharing!! Blessings.
I’m contributing to an ebook, and I literally just wrote about this today. Not, the Abana and Pharpar, but trying to answer the question on my own getting nowhere, instead of letting God work it out. Let’s just say, it didn’t work.
What a beautiful reminder of surrendering to God’s will. My struggle at times is knowing His will. I get a clear vision or indication of a direction and then I seem to fall back on my own self-sufficiency. Back and forth, learning to let go in the process. I am a work in process and grateful that God gives us mercy and grace along the way. I found you via Fellowship Fridays. Blessings, Ardis
I fall into this trap a lot. I try and do things alone instead of seeking his will and I know better! I know his plans are better than mine. I have seen amazing things happen when I surrender to his plan. Alas, I still fall into this trap more often than I should. I hope this will improve as I grow in Christ.
I am in awe of His goodness!!! I too recently posted a similar writing on this Scripture!! AMEN!!! I love this!!
“If we will submit to our Lord in the beginning, humble ourselves before Him and let Him be in control of every facet of our lives, we can be sure of His blessing. We can be assured of His hand upon everything that we go to do…but we must be willing and obedient.”
I loved this. It is a daily struggle to submit to the Lord and release the control we think we have on our lives. Thank you for sharing!
Beautifully written. Thank you for sharing this.
God can do ALL things – if we only believe…. 😀
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God is forever faithful and reading this post is a great reminder of his grace and mercy! I am from the Commenthon and this post has made my day. I am number 45 and I look forward to any of your feedback. Stay Blessed
It is so hard to pray for God’s will, not our own. It truly takes faith and belief in Him, and in the journey he has planned for each of us individually. Thanks for the beautiful post and reminder. 🙂
Paulina, I cannot imagine what you have gone through…I have never lost a child, my heart goes out to you. It is hard to not question God, and I don’t think He minds that we do in situations like that. He knows how we are hurting…you are someone I call a Wounded Healer, who can help others that have suffered great loss because you have been there yourself. I wrote a post about that and I hope it would bless you to know God has a special work for special people like you. You have LEARNED to trust God’s sovereignty…so beautiful. http://www.hopeinthehealing.com/2013/04/07/are-you-a-wounded-healer/ Blessings dear friend. ♥
Oh friend, we ALL do!! Every post I write I am writing to that lady in the mirror…ME!! 🙂 Thank you for sharing.
You are so welcome Jenn, thank you for stopping by!
You are not alone friend. We all struggle with that but we are rewarded with peace of mind when we do let Him take control! And we can rest assured the outcome will be HIS will. Blessings!
Yes, and praying that prayer is not always easy but it is best. Like you said, humbling ourselves! Thank you for taking the time to comment! Blessings.
Amen! So true…nothing is silly if God directs it. Blessings to you!
Hi Nannette, my name is Paulina and I got here through the Comentathon. You are so right! When our unborn son was diagnosed with an abdominal wall defect I knew God was able to heal him so I prayed and all along I thought he would heal him and leave him here with us on this Earth. As it turns out God had other plans, he gave him a new body and took him to be with him. I immediately understood in my head that my baby was healed but my hurting heart couldn’t stop asking God why he hadn’t healed him. I had to constantly remind myself that He DID heal him just not how I would have preferred or wanted. I have had to learn to trust God’s sovereignty. Long comment but I really liked your post, thanks for sharing!
What a great perspective. I never realized how often I pray with conditions. You are so right that if we will just pray for his will instead of something specific we WANT because we THINK we know BEST. Thank you so much for sharing.
Lovely thoughts. Thanks for sharing your insight.
Thanks for the reminder to trust God in everything. I have so much trouble with this and struggle giving my worries up to God.
There is no greater prayer than to pray “Thy Will be Done”. We are richly blessed when we allow the Lord to work in our lives, when we humble ourselves and let Him take charge. We must always remember that He has a plan for our lives.
Thanks for sharing.
Sometimes what we think is a silly thing to do may end up having a greater satisfaction. Naaman proved that. This is awesome reminder to always remain humble.
Amen Alli, thank you for stopping by today! Being obedient isn’t always easy but it is definitely the better road to travel 🙂
What great insight into the story of Naaman! It’s a reminder to me to always be obedient to God’s word.
Thank you Paula…we have all been like Naaman at some point in our lives I’m sure. I pray I would take that leap of faith without questioning God first and trying to figure things out for myself. Blessings!
Thank you for stopping by! Blessings, you are welcome here 🙂
I’ve always found this to be such an interesting story in the Bible. The story of Namaan. Thanks for sharing!
Beautifully written. Thank you so much for sharing. 🙂
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I feel your “pain” Sharon! I have been in those situations and it is hard to let God take over even when we know HE KNOWS what is best! He is the Creator, the Deliverer and the Problem-solver, we can trust Him. Of course a Red Sea parting wouldn’t be out of the question! LOL. ♥
Wish I could say I always did too Val, but we are imperfect creatures! Thankful for His mercy!
I think we have ALL prayed with conditions at some point in our lives, Mindy. Agree…thankful for Grace! ♥
Thank you Barbie for the opportunity. Blessings!
Me too Dolly…He is more than patient with me. ♥
So true! Thank you Shelly for your insights. And for Recommendation Saturday! Blessings…
Boy, I needed to hear this one today! I have a particular prayer about a particular person – and I have been so dismayed over my lack of influence on the whole situation. I am praying, yes – but fretting over the outcome. The outcome that I have no control over.
Perhaps I’m looking at the wrong *streams* – and I just need to wait on the Lord to see how HE’S going to work a miracle. Maybe a Red Sea parting???
GOD BLESS!
Studying the word is such a blessing . This story speaks to all of us as we are often like this story but God is so good. He has something better for us if we do it his way- wish I could say I always did!
A great way to remember this Biblical lesson – the Abana and Pharpar syndrome. I wish I could say I have never been afflicted but God knows I have prayed with conditions at times. Thankful for His Word to teach us and His grace to cover us.
Thankful to have you at The Weekend Brew my friend!
Oh, yes…I can relate…and I am very grateful for God’s grace and patience with me….His grace to be humble…blessings to you< Nannette/Candace Jo 🙂
Obedience sounds like such a simple plan until it makes no sense to us. Love this reminder that His way is ALWAYS best. Thanks for linking up with Recommendations Saturday! Heart Hugs, Shelly <3
Thanks Mel! Love your site and Essential Fridays. ♥
Hello Joanna! I love your thoughts too! We cannot do it alone and love your last line: “By losing everything, we win it all.” Amen! Thank you for taking the time to comment. Blessings friend.
Wonderful thoughts Mia! I had not thought of Naaman suffering from self leprosy of the soul but I would agree. Have a wonderful weekend. ♥
I think we all have at some point Helene! But God is faithful and oh, so patient…Thank you for stopping by today. Blessings!
Such a good reminder here of following God’s will.
Thanks for sharing at Essential Fridays.
Blessings
Mel from Essential Thing Devotions
I think Abana and Pharpar syndrome is our final pretext. The one last thing we hang on to so we don’t have to admit that we can’t do it alone and that, again, we actually need God. It’s hard to let go because all of ourselves scream that there is no security in letting go. Still, the truth is, that by loosing everything, we win it all.
Dear Nanette
I always see the Jordan River of the last river we need to cross to enter onto the Resurrected Life of our Lord Jesus. We need to wash ourselves from the leprosy of self in our Jordan River experience, before we can enter that wonderful Sabbath rest of Jesus. I think we can with all safety say that Naaman also suffered from this self leprosy of the soul as well as his physical leprosy!
Blessings XX
Mia
I love this story! I have never heard of the Abana and Pharpar syndrome but I have suffered from it for sure!