CHRONIC SICKNESS

 

 

Chronic sickness affects millions of people worldwide.  Does God care about it?  If he is the great healer then why are so many people chronically sick?  Is there a reason for this?  Is my sickness because of sin?  These questions have been on the lips and hearts of many and we hope to shed some light on them to help you deal with your situation.  It may help at the first to say that God does understand and there are stories in the Bible (Gods’ Word) about people who dealt with a chronic or long-term sickness.  Some were healed miraculously, others were not.  Thanks for taking the time to go through this lesson, I pray it will be a  source of inspiration and help to you.

 

Where Does Sickness Come From?

 

In the beginning God created mankind to live forever.  They lived in the garden of Eden without any sickness whatsoever.  God commanded them not to eat of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil because if they ate of it they would die.

 

“But of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, thou shalt not eat of it: for in the day that thou eatest thereof thou shalt surely die.” Genesis 2:17 (KJV) 

 

In those days people lived to be hundreds of years old as evidenced by Adam himself.

 

“And all the days that Adam lived were nine hundred and thirty years: and he died.” Genesis 5:5 (KJV)

 

Wow, what a jump on life you could have with this kind of longevity!  Yet, even though he and many others lived this long and longer, God pronounced that they would now die because of the original sin in the garden.  Sin brought death.  Physical and spiritual death.  This death has passed to all of us.

 

“Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned:” Romans 5:12 (KJV) 

 

Sound depressing?  It would be without the fact that Jesus Christ came to defeat death so that we could again enjoy the eternal life that he originally had for mankind.

 

“Knowing that Christ being raised from the dead dieth no more; death hath no more dominion over him.” Romans 6:9 (KJV) 

 

All sickness and death came directly from Adam when he sinned against God.  The same sin nature has passed to all people and that is why we face so many difficult challenges.

 

Question #1  Are you or someone you know chronically sick?  If you would like prayer for your condition please generally describe what you are experiencing.

 

People in the Bible Who Were Sick

 

There are many cases in the Bible of people who fell sick of many different things.  We will look at a famous preacher who was chronically sick that God chose not to heal.  His name was Saul of Tarsus (later called Paul the Apostle).  When we look at the Apostle Paul we see a man that we would heal if we were God.  [Fortunately we are not God!]  He spoke of his illness as an infirmity.

 

“…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.” 2 Cor. 12:7-8 (KJV) 

 

Not only was it a physical infirmity, it was the messenger of Satan.  Paul understood this and never once blamed God or charged him as unrighteous.  He understood that all things work together for the good with God.  Historians are unclear as to the very nature of his sickness but some have said it was bad eyesight, others felt it was a stooped condition and yet others declare that he had reoccurring seizures.  Can you see this great Apostle going into a seizure?  It doesn’t sound spiritual does it?  Yet the possibility exists that this is exactly what happened.  Why didn’t God heal him?  Well, he gives us the answer in the same verses.

 

“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. 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.” 2 Cor. 12:7,9 (KJV) 

 

God knew the frame of this great man and understood that if he were completely healed he would become proud and lifted up in his spirit.  Ultimately this would cause him to be lost.  You see, Jesus Christ is not just interested in the physical body, he is very concerned about your spiritual man.  Do you know Jesus Christ?  If you do then his grace will be enough to see you through.  If not, he can come into your life through being born again of the water and the Spirit and give you a reason to go on.

 

“Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost. [39] For the promise is unto you, and to your children, and to all that are afar off, even as many as the Lord our God shall call.” Acts 2:38-39 (KJV) 

 

In the times of chronic sickness we must believe that God knows and understands what we are going through.  In fact that is exactly what he told us.

 

“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.” Romans 8:28 (KJV) 

 

What we must do is see God and his eternal love in every situation of life, even in our sickness.  Antigonus, successor to Alexander, after recovering from an illness, said, “It has done me no harm, for it has taught me not to be so proud by putting me in mind that I am but a mortal man.”

 

Question #2  Can you see God working through your sickness to make you a better person?

 

God Heals Sickness

 

“And said, If thou wilt diligently hearken to the voice of the Lord thy God, and wilt do that which is right in his sight, and wilt give ear to his commandments, and keep all his statutes, I will put none of these diseases upon thee, which I have brought upon the Egyptians: for I am the Lord that healeth thee.” Exodus 15:26 (KJV) 

 

There are many stories in the Bible that show us God can and will heal sickness.  Yes, even chronic sickness.  One such story is found in the book of John.

 

“And a certain man was there, which had an infirmity thirty and eight years. [6] When Jesus saw him lie, and knew that he had been now a long time in that case, he saith unto him, Wilt thou be made whole?” John 5:5-6 (KJV) 

 

Thirty eight years had passed and nothing was done to cure this  mans’ condition.  The doctors had tried everything to no effect.  His condition was hopeless, chronic.  The good news for him was that Jesus walked among the people who lay beside the pool of water.  When he saw the man he asked if he would be made whole.  He simply said yes to Jesus.  This is what we need to do.  Say yes to Jesus Christ and his will for our lives.

 

“Jesus saith unto him, Rise, take up thy bed, and walk.” John 5:8 (KJV) 

 

This is but one of many exciting stories found in the word of God about HIS healing power.  I have personally witnessed many healings from brain tumor, glaucoma, broken bones, cysts, drug overdose, drug allergic reaction and others.  We must go to him and ask him for our healing.  God loves each of us and wants the very best for us.  Sometimes it includes healing.  Sometimes it includes the healing of our spirit or attitude.  Which is the greater?  Only God knows.  He did tell this man that if he went and continued to sin that a worse disease would come upon him.

 

“Afterward Jesus findeth him in the temple, and said unto him, Behold, thou art made whole: sin no more, lest a worse thing come unto thee.” John 5:14 (KJV) 

 

He wants to heal our body but he also desires to heal our soul.

 

Question #3  Do you believe that Jesus Christ is able to heal you? 

 

Rejoicing In Our Sickness

 

No, I am not crazy.  Please don’t give up on this lesson now!  Can we be happy even when we are chronically sick?  The Apostle Paul declared that we can.

 

“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. [10] Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ’s sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong.” 2 Cor. 12:9-10 (KJV) 

 

If God allows me to go through sickness for his glory I can be happy and rejoice that he is working in my life.  It is through the understanding that he is trying to work out a higher purpose in my life that can lift me up into another realm of thinking.  If he chooses not to heal, I can be happy.  If he chooses to heal, I can be happy.  In either case I can be strong through HIM.  Sickness and or healing can therefore become a medium whereby we experience the purpose and power of God in our lives!  With this understanding we can rejoice.  Isn’t it exciting to know that God has a purpose for your life?

 

Question #4  Can you see Gods’ purpose for your life through your sickness?

 

Conclusion

 

Thank you for stopping by.  I trust that this lesson has shed some light on your situation.  It is truly an honor to have you visit this site.  If this lesson has helped you please let me know, your comments are very important.  I would like to encourage you to check out the rest of the site if you haven’t already.  If you would like someone to pray for you concerning your sickness or any other issue please let me know and we will let you know how to get in touch with them.  Hope to see you again soon!

 

 

Sincerely,

 

Greg Wirths

 

Focus on Freedom

 

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