“However, if you suffer as
a Christian, do not be ashamed, but praise God that you bear that name” (1
Peter 4:16 NIV).
In Jesus’ ministry he
often healed peopled from illnesses and demon possession. He showed compassion
and love to everyone. There is one story I would like to tell you today that
really made an impact on me.
A blind man was sitting
near him and his disciples asked him, “Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his
parents, that he was born blind?” (John 9:2 NIV). You see during this time they
believed that people were ill because of a sin they had done or their parents
had done. What Jesus told them made me stop and think. He said, “Neither this
man nor his parents sinned,” said Jesus, “but this happened so that the work of
God might be displayed in his life. As long as it is day, we must do the work
of him who sent me” (John 9:3-4 NIV).
It was if I had just read
this for the first time. I guess that is why we are to study and reread the
Bible all the time, because we will receive wisdom when we do this.
Many people are afflicted
with many types of chronic illnesses. I have fibromyalgia and many other people
also have this. There are many others who have an autoimmune illness which
really hampers their lifestyles. Have you ever wondered why you had to have
this illness?
I personally never thought
it was a way to glorify God, but now I am.
How can the work of God be
displayed in your life when you have a chronic illness? As a Christian you can
be a help to others who are suffering also. You could send an encouraging card
to someone who is suffering. You could start a support group and share ideas on
how to feel better. You could tell them how God has helped you by giving you
the strength to just keep going without complaining.
God can use any
weakness we have to help others see His glory. It is our attitude that needs to
be constantly conformed by His power in us, to do the work He wants us to do
even when we don’t feel like it. We are to be that blessing that someone else
needs.
Dear Lord,
Help us all the time, no
matter what our condition, to be an example of what you can do in our lives
even when we don’t feel that well. Let others see the work of God displayed in
our lives through our afflictions. Help us to glorify you every day by reaching
out to others.
In Jesus’ name,
Amen
