by Darin Henry
When illness hits close to home, will we rely upon God or question His goodness? “The spirit of a man can endure his sickness, but as for a broken spirit, who can bear it?” (Prov. 18:14). Don’t allow Satan to damage or destroy your faith.
In reading Psalm 91, one cannot help but be comforted and strengthened in spirit, recognizing the depth of God’s love and protection that is very real and available for those that seek Him. Spiritual wounds and maladies can be avoided when we allow ourselves to be guided by God and follow His instruction for proper living. Often, the sickness and ailments we suffer in this life are self-inflicted. When sin is not dealt with properly, the damage can be irreparable.
Rather than seeking after God, the Israelites sought a remedy for their maladies amongst the enemy nations and foreign gods. This only opened the wound more and further inflamed it, causing further separation from God. The prophet asked in Jeremiah 8:21, “Is there no balm in Gilead? Is there no physician there? Why then is there no recovery for the health of the daughter of my people?” How dreadful the condition can quickly become when sin is allowed to fester without proper application of the heavenly remedy of God’s love and mercy. Turning and repenting of failure and rebellious living is the Lord’s desire for each of His children. When we allow sin to penetrate and take root in our lives rather than choosing to avail ourselves of the balm that Christ, the Great Physician, offers us, this choice will have ill effects in our conduct. Refusing to apply medicine for a cut ignores the cure while allowing the wound to become blistered and sore. Jesus Christ is our spiritual healer and provider. No injury is beyond His ability to repair. Mark 2:17 reads, “Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick. I did not come to call the righteous, but sinners, to repentance.”
Our physical body is not as fortunate. To list all the serums, pills, health foods, oils, treatments, diet plans and medicines that are available for this or that sickness could easily take all the pages of this issue, and we would still run out of room. Simply stated, God has created us with a physical body that is susceptible to sickness and pain. It is vulnerable to breakdown from stress and fatigue. Sometimes, as with sin, this is self-inflicted because of our own choices and lifestyle. However, often sickness and health problems can occur through no fault of our own, with no advanced warning or knowledge. This can be devastating and cause a major setback in one’s life. When we receive a phone call, or hear the initial announcement, that a dear loved one has come down with a sickness or fatal disease, it can be devastating. How does a Christian best deal with such news? When we ourselves have been diagnosed with cancer, or some other serious disease or illness that will require treatment, how do we cope with such news?
It is safely moored, ’twill the storm withstand, For ’tis well secured by the Savior’s hand; And the cables passed from His heart to mine, Can defy the blast, through strength divine.
What an amazing gift we have in the might and security of our Lord. Fear is a powerful tool that Satan deploys, and he delights when our hearts quake and our faith becomes shaky. When that happens, let us set and secure our anchor in God Almighty! God’s desire is that we seek Him at our weakest moments. Do not rely on self, but follow Christ’s example and reach out to God as our Savior did when he knelt in prayer alone in the garden. Jesus experienced immeasurable fear as He prayed to the Father for comfort and reassurance. God answered His prayer in Luke 22:43, which says, “There appeared an angel unto him from heaven, strengthening him.” He hears our prayers: “Now this is the confidence that we have in Him, that if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us” (1 John 5:14). Pray knowing that God hears you. As Christians, we are assured that our Creator is listening to our utterances of trepidation and our humble requests for guidance are heard in heaven.
Learning that a loved one has become very sick with cancer or some other serious illness may cause us to second guess (or question?) God, and our enemy will surely zero in on that opportunity to plant seeds of doubt in our heart. After all, what sort of God allows such a thing to happen? At least that is a common thought process you will hear expressed in the world. If you allow it, the family of God can fill the holes and provide the encouragement needed to overcome our feebleness. Having our faith slide is never a good thing, but it can occur. If, and when it does, do not allow yourself to sink and lose buoyance as did Peter. Take cover from Satan and deflect his shots by surrounding yourself with God’s faithful servants.
The past year and a half have brought many challenges into each of our lives, and even with all that has occurred, the curse of sickness and death has not slowed. When we reflect on what the church and the body of Christ can provide during these times, it should bring tears of joy and thankfulness to our eyes. That God, in all of His goodness and wisdom, left us with brothers and sisters who can help, love, and support our needs is a beautiful example of God’s love and care for us. 1 Thessalonians 5:14 states, “Therefore comfort each other and edify one another, just as you also are doing.” Romans 12:10-13 says, “Be kindly affectionate to one another with brotherly love, in honor giving preference to one another; not lagging in diligence, fervent in spirit, serving the Lord; rejoicing in hope, patient in tribulation, continuing steadfastly in prayer; distributing to the needs of the saints, given to hospitality.”
Institutions of men may fail us, but the church, with Christ as its head, will never fail. One of its purposes is to support the needs of the saints, not just with physical needs, but with spiritual needs as well. In Hebrews 10:24-25, the writer exhorted his readers:
Let us consider how to stimulate one another to love and good deeds, not forsaking our own assembling together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another; and all the more as you see the day drawing near (Heb. 10:24–25).
It is vitally important that we surround ourselves with God’s family. When we, or a loved one, are struggling with the frailty of life because of health issues, do not deprive yourself of the blessings that are found in the Lord’s people. Steady, consistent attendance is an absolute necessity in the uncertainty of this life.
The Psalmist says, “The LORD is my strength and my shield; my heart trusts in him, and he helps me. My heart leaps for joy, and with my song, I praise him. The LORD is the strength of His people, a fortress of salvation for His anointed one” (Ps. 28:7-8). The prophet reminds us in Isaiah 33:2, “Lord, be gracious to us; we long for you. Be our strength every morning, our salvation in time of distress.”
Do you long for the Lord? To long for something means to have a strong feeling or a need for something or someone. We will have fears when loved ones are stricken with sickness or disease, but let us remember that this fleshly tent is only temporal (2 Cor. 5:1-5), and our heavenly home awaits those that are longing to be there.
