Early this morning I awoke to find my left eye did not want to open completely. Considering I am currently in an RA flare up, I freaked out. Rheumatoid arthritis can effect the soft tissues of the body, eyes and lungs in particular, and cause irreversible damage. I tried not to think too much about it. That's called borrowing trouble where I come from.
My prayer as I drove to the doctor's office was, "Strength. Lord, give me strength. Strength to endure, Strength to hold up under the pressures of anxiety. Give me strength."
When caring people see you are hurting, they want to say or do something to ease the pain. That's called compassion. But we sometimes do our friends a disservice in our approach. People have said to me and I have heard it said to others in similar chronic or terminal situations, "I am believing in God for healing." People will take the hand of a sick person and whisper, "I have faith God will heal you." Unless God has given you this divine revelation, you may have misspoken.
I have faith as well. I have faith in an omnipotent God who knows the minute details of the big picture. I have faith in a God who has told me there will be suffering. It is my belief that God will not heal me of this chronic disease. Not because he CANNOT, but because, in His infinite wisdom he has chosen not to. God is no less God because he does not heal. He is no less eternal and perfect because our suffering or death is eminent. On the contrary, it is through our suffering and death that He is glorified. Ultimate healing, eternal life is the promise for those who believe.
When you see that one struggling, in pain, take their hand and whisper, "Strength" and trust God to answer your prayer.
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