But Paul shook the snake off into the fire and suffered no ill effects.

~Acts 28:5 NIV

I want the kind of faith to shake off the snakes.

The Sand Viper is one of the deadliest snakes in Europe because of the lethal toxicity of its venom. Paul was probably bitten on the hand by a sand viper on the island of Malta while he gathered sticks for a fire (Acts 28:3-6).

The snake emerged from the sticks because of the heat of the fire and fastened itself to Paul’s hand. But Paul “simply shook the creature off into the fire and suffered no ill effects.”

I was struck by a couple of points in this passage. First, there is what I call the “Nonchalant Deadly Snake Bite Reaction.”  I can’t imagine reacting with no fear to a deadly event like a snake bite. The Amplified translation of the Bible says Paul “simply” shook the creature off into the fire. That’s it.

It appears his traveling companions didn’t react either. There was no “Oh no! Call the prayer chain!” or shouts of, “He’s going to die. Our missionary journey is over!” Only the natives thought Paul would die. Perhaps Paul and his companions’ fortification came from recalling Scripture about God’s faithfulness.

Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; his love endures forever.

~1 Chronicles 16:34 NIV

I want Paul’s kind of faith. The kind that lets me forego the freak-out stage when a precarious event happens, instantly putting it into God’s hands. Faith to simply shake it off, whatever it is. What a fantastic way to live.

Second, I observe a “no ill effects” miracle. In the natural world, Paul’s body should have swollen, and he would have died from the snake bite quickly, as the natives expected. No doubt, they had seen people die from these snake bites before. But he didn’t. God healed him instantly.

I also want to be healed instantly of every ill effect with which an autoimmune disease has damaged me. I would love to live without the fatigue and pain that pulls me down daily.

However, God has chosen not to heal me completely right now. Still, I hope He does. I believe He is more concerned with my spiritual maturity than my comfort. I am grateful for His wisdom and love.

Did Paul’s instantaneous miraculous healing occur because of his steadfast faith? Or was God protecting him until he had finished the work God had for him to do? We don’t know, but I desire his kind of faith. I also want to be confident that God will protect and sustain me through illness until I finish doing the work He has set before me.

Think of areas in your life that need healing. Then, believe that God can bring that healing and uphold you until the day He does. He can help you simply shake off the snakes.

My Dear Heavenly Father, until You bring my day of healing, Lord, be my strength, and please help my unbelief. In Jesus’s name, amen.

Genre: Non-fiction

Copyright 2025: Faith to Shake Off the Snakes: Angela Dolbear: All Rights Reserved