|
Our bodies are frail things and so prone to injury and disease. Some of these sicknesses are so terrible we wonder how God can allow them and still be a good God. Sickness is one of those things that bewilder Christians and non-Christians alike. But the Bible does tell us a lot about the subject.
It used to be thought that disease was the result of or punishment for sin. While not all sickness is the result of sin, some is. God doesn’t use sickness to punish us for our sins; it is a simple cause and effect formula. When we choose certain things, we are at risk for other things. But to say that disease is always evidence of sin is poor theology.
When Jesus encountered a man who was born blind the disciples asked Him, “ Master, who did sin, this man, or his parents, that he was born blind? Jesus answered, Neither hath this man sinned, nor his parents: but that the works of God should be made manifest in him.” (John 9:2b-3 KJV) Jesus was telling them that the blindness was not the result of sin, that sometimes disease is an opportunity for God to perform miracles.
So, God made me sick so He can show off His power? No. God doesn’t make us sick. He allows sickness. When Adam and Eve allowed Satan to tempt them into sin, they opened a Pandora’s box full of consequences. One of those consequences is that Satan has dominion over the earth and can buffet us and tempt us in any way that he wishes. (Job 1:12) This isn’t what God wanted for us, He wanted us to enjoy perfection. He didn’t want a bunch of robots to worship and obey Him, though. He gave us free will so that we could choose to serve Him.
When Adam and Eve chose not to obey, they brought a curse on us all. The curse is sin and the penalty is death. Sickness is one of those things that breaks down our bodies and eventually brings on death. This may seem harsh, yet in many ways sickness and death are a mercy. God wants us to be reconciled with Him and have another opportunity to live in perfection for all time. He gives us the opportunity to choose Him and be saved through Christ. By keeping our lifespan short, He limits our suffering.
While sickness is not what God wanted for us, He is able to use it for good. Sickness, like grief and suffering tend to draw us nearer to God. We realize our frailty and seek His comfort. Families whose loved one suffers from sickness also draw nearer to God searching for comfort, healing or answers. It is true that God can use all things for good. Romans 8:28 says, “And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.” (KJV)
Sickness also tends to bring people to prayer. We pray for healing, relief from pain and for comfort. Prayer is a powerful thing and we are called to pray for the sick. “Is any sick among you? Let him call for the elders of the church; and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord:” (James 5:14 KJV)
Many become frustrated or disillusioned when they feel their prayers have gone unanswered. We look for the answers we want, not the answer that God gives. God does answer prayer. Sometimes, though, the answer is no. That’s difficult for us to accept. Especially when we read in the Bible that God will heal us. “Who forgiveth all thine iniquities; who healeth all thy diseases;” (Psalm 103:3 KJV). So how do we reconcile this apparent paradox?
There are few answers to the paradox. One of the answers is, only God knows. When Job cries out to God begging for a reason for his suffering, God tells Job, “Who is this who darkens counsel By words without knowledge? 3 Now prepare yourself like a man; I will question you, and you shall answer Me. 4 "Where were you when I laid the foundations of the earth? Tell Me, if you have understanding.” (Job 38:2-4 NKJV) God’s reply goes on to remind Job that the creation can’t question the Creator. The creation cannot understand the motives of the Creator.
Another answer is that the sickness of the physical body is the cure for the spiritual body. Through sickness and suffering, we are spiritually strengthened. We learn to turn to God for answers and to meet our needs. Hebrews 2:10 tells us that we are made perfect through suffering. God in His mercy has allowed the sickness to continue in order to heal the greater problem, the sick spirit.
If the sickness is the result of sin, healing may not happen. Sometimes, we have to just bear the consequences of our actions. God doesn’t like it any more than any parent who has to let his or her child suffer the consequences of behavior. Yet a good parent will tell you that bailing a child out of the consequences of his or her behavior only teaches irresponsibility.
It is fruitless to dwell on the why of sickness too long. There will seldom be satisfactory answers. It is better to devote energy to responding to the sickness in a way that is pleasing to God. Times of sickness are when we need God most. When we reach out to Him in faith, He responds with His comfort.
The Bible promises us many things about sickness. It is important to keep in mind that while God may not heal your disease, He can and will heal your spirit. Collect and meditate on the scriptures about healing. Here are a few from the King James Bible:
Jeremiah 17:14 Heal me, O LORD, and I shall be healed; save me, and I shall be saved: for thou art my praise.
1 Peter 2:24 Who his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness: by whose stripes ye were healed.
2 Corinthians 12:7 And lest I should be exalted above measure through the abundance of the revelations, there was given to me a thorn in the flesh, the messenger of Satan to buffet me, lest I should be exalted above measure.
8 For this thing I besought the Lord thrice, that it might depart from me.
9 And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.
All of us suffer sickness to one degree or another. When it comes to you or your loved ones, don’t waste time on why it’s happened. Spend your time instead asking God for His comfort and healing.
| 
