People have different attitudes toward their illnesses: some think about them all the time, while others try to forget about them. Some complain, while others keep silent and pretend they are not sick. But almost everyone still wants to be healed. True, that desire also takes different forms. Naaman was deeply eager for healing. He longed for it and believed it was possible. It was this faith that opened his ears to the words of a young servant girl. He not only heard her words about the prophet; he believed them and dared to speak about it with the king.
Yes, he was "a great man before his master." But the higher you stand, the more frightening it is to make yourself look ridiculous, to be disgraced. And when he reached Elisha, Elisha did not even come out to the threshold to meet Naaman, but sent instructions through a servant. Naaman was disappointed, became angry, and refused to accept the way the Lord had decided to act in this situation.
How often we have a similar reaction when our carefully thought-out plans do not come to pass. But, fortunately, God gave Naaman the gift of listening to the people around him. Even though they were only servants, the desire to be healed and trust in God lead Naaman farther. And the Lord rewards the trust of His children with healing of body and soul.
