This question is not always asked, but stated as a fact that God does want us to be well. Of course, to suggest that God does not want us well is much more difficult to imagine. Who would argue that God doesn’t want us well? However, the emphasis and abuse of texts suggest that Jesus was beaten and died on the cross so we might be healed, physically.
For example, Andrew Wommack has a course book and audio series on this topic on his webpage (www.awmi.net). In his booklet, he cites the covenant book of Deuteronomy 28 on page 6 where he states, “The blessings are good things that come as a result for doing right, and the curses are bad things that come as punishment for doing wrong. Sickness is always listed as a curse, never a blessing.” Essentially, God promises physical blessings to those who are faithful to God and the contract, while promising physical curses to those who disobey. Through Abraham, God had given the land promise which is the backdrop for this section in Deuteronomy.
The booklet moves from an Old Testament promise given to ancient Israel related to physical promises and blessings to the fulfilled work of Christ in Galatians 3:13-14 and ties the curse of the law in that text to the curses of the law of Moses in Deuteronomy 28. However, the curse of Galatians 3:13 is clearly described in verses 10-12 which is not quoted. It reads, “For all who rely on the works of the law are under a curse, as it is written: “Cursed is everyone who does not continue to do everything written in the Book of the Law. Clearly, no one who relies on the law is justified before God, because “the righteous will live by faith. The law is not based on faith; on the contrary, it says, ‘The person who does these things will live by them.'” The curse of the law in this context is not the same as the one in Deuteronomy 28. Paul is talking about the demands of the law. It requires perfection in order to be justified. That’s the curse. The one who relied on the law could not be justified. Instead, righteousness comes by faith. Christ removed that curse that the blessings of Abraham might come on the Gentiles through Jesus Christ. The booklet explains, “The New Testament says the whole world can receive God’s blessings by faith, and in the meantime, never have to obey the Old Testament Law in order to qualify. Also, the curses have been paid for by the suffering and death of God’s only son, Jesus Christ..” THEN, he throws in a new paragraph with the statement, “And sickness is a curse.” No, sickness is not the curse of the law, according to Paul. We are made to believe that, in removing the curse of the law, which is sickness, we can be blessed with healing. This is a great example of poor exegesis. Paul does not discuss anything related to physical sickness or health in Galatians, or any other New Testament text.
Does he want us to be healthy? That’s like asking, “Does He want us to grow up big and strong?” These are questions that do not concern the revelation of God. If the apostle Paul left Trophimus ill at Miletus when he could have healed him, did he not care? If God promises healing, why was Trophimus sick at all? Further, if it was temporary to show the glory of God, why would Paul leave him sick? Does God not promise healing?
Philippians 2:27 reveals that Epaphroditus had been extremely ill, nigh unto death. Why could such a fellow servant be allowed to suffer with this illness to the very point of death? The text continues to explain that God had mercy on him. In some unrevealed way, it appears that God intervened. Further, Timothy was told to drink a little wine for his stomach and frequent ailments (1 Tim. 5:23). Timothy had frequent ailments. Why would that describe one of the most prominent New Testament figures? Finally, Paul asked the Lord to remove his thorn in the flesh three times. When the Lord told him His grace was sufficient for him, he adds, “for my power is made perfect in weakness. Therefore, I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me. That is why, for Christ’s sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong.” The illness was not removed. When he is physically weak, he will focus on spiritual blessings. His weaknesses, and physical difficulties (in general), including his “thorn in the flesh”(specific physical ailment) are placed over against the power and strength of Christ that rests upon him. The power and strength of Christ is not physical in nature. It’s spiritual in contrast to his physical condition. Why would God not remove his thorn if God’s blessings include physical healing? This accords with the text in Galatians 3. The blessings of Abraham that extend to all nations is that justification is based on faith, not on the works of the law. The blessings in Christ are spiritual, not physical.