Illness and faith…

“Remember your word to your servant, for you have given me hope. My comfort in my suffering is this: your promise preserves my life.”

(Psalm 119:49-50 - New International Version)

Upon waking this morning, my body ached and my head felt as though it were stuffed with cotton wool. There was a: “Why me?” moment, particularly as I have some very busy and important days ahead. Why would I have a cold at this time? It prompted me to think about illness and how this relates to faith in God. I’m only mildly under the weather, so I cannot compare the discomfort I feel to the real suffering that many millions in the world face every day. In the world countless people suffer from chronic illnesses, disease and disability.

God does not want us to be ill; He wants us to be in good health.

“Dear friend, I pray that you may enjoy good health and that all may go well with you, just as you are progressing spiritually.”

(3 John 1:2 – New International Version)

So why would a good God allow illness to occur? What part of His plan could it serve?

God’s Plan and Specific Afflictions

God, as seen in both the Old and New Testaments, used specific afflictions as a way of bringing about change in people’s lives. In the case of Paul and his experience with God on the road to Damascus, God used the affliction of blindness to demonstrate power over His creation, which brought about the conversion to faith of one of the most anti-Christian men of the time. This was a miracle involving health that brought about the saving of not just one, but countless souls through the subsequent work that Paul did for the Lord. This shows how God can use health issues to bring about the plans of His kingdom.

“Then Ananias went to the house and entered it. Placing his hands on Saul, he said, ‘Brother Saul, the Lord – Jesus, who appeared to you on the road as you were coming here – has sent me so that you may see again and be filled with the Holy Spirit.’ Immediately, something like scales fell from Saul’s eyes, and he could see again. He got up and was baptised.”

(Acts 9:17-18 - New International Version)

A Fallen World

Illness and disease exist in the world is as a result of the fallen state of the world; they are part of the plan of the enemy to weaken the faith of humankind and keep us away from God.

“Therefore, just as sin entered the world through one man, and death through sin, and in this way death came to all people, because all sinned.”

(Romans 5:12 - New International Version)

When sin entered the world, death accompanied it. Part of death is sickness and disease. It can be clearly seen that God did not want this for us as in the beginning God created a perfect world, free of harm, but the choice of humankind, in the form of Adam and Eve, brought sin into the world which resulted in perfection being spoiled. Therefore sickness should not cause us to lose our faith in God – we should not blame God – it should be an opportunity to get closer to God as the ultimate healer and comforter.

Believing in God does not mean that we are always going to be protected from experiencing harm. The choices of others, the fallen state of the world, and sometimes our own disobedience means that we are at risk. Christians experience trouble, scripture tells us so, but God is fully aware of our suffering. There are times though, where, instead of eliminating that trouble, God sometimes chooses to give only spiritual comfort. It is not what we always expect, as sometimes we can be short-sighted about what God’s plans are, especially whilst we are struggling. If immediately curing us from illness was God’s plan for the situation, then He could do it. There is no doubt if that.

God does not cause us troubles, but He doesn’t spare us completely from accident or disease.

Sometimes growth of our spiritual life is achieved when we are ill. At that time, even when God decides not to bring bodily healing, He does not deny us spiritual comfort. We therefore must realize that the comfort and growth of the spirit is more important than the health of our bodies.

“It was good for me to be afflicted so that I might learn your decrees.”

(Psalm 119:71 - New International Version)

Illness can bring us closer to God. In our suffering we can turn to Him for comfort and pray for healing. At the time it is not always clear that an illness can bring about something positive, but often, when reflecting afterwards, it can be seen that God has moved in the situation. God may use the situation through the gift of healing, to demonstrate His power through the faithful prayers of those who turn to Him.

“We also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance character; and character hope. And hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us.”

(from Romans 5:3-5 - New International Version)

God uses illness as a time for people to learn to rely on Him, even in the midst of their trials, rather than bring about an instant miracle of healing. God uses sickness to demonstrate His love through the actions of His people, who minister to those in need. When we are able to maintain or even strengthen our faith, even in the face of illness, we demonstrate perseverance, reliance on God and the recognition that whatever happens to us is for the good of His kingdom and part of His plan, even though we don’t always fully understand how.

“And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.”

(Romans 8:28 - New International Version)

Trusting in God’s goodness and His plan is not always easy, especially when illness and suffering is involved. We are not always able to see things from the right perspective, but the amazing thing about God is that, even when we question, cry out and are angered, He cares. He wants us to pour our hearts out to Him, and is accepting when we are honest about our lack of understanding.

There will always be things about God’s plan that we will not understand, as we do not share the mind of God. His ways are above ours.

What we need to do is trust in Him, even when it is difficult to do so.