Weathering The Storms Of Life

What Do We Do When Facing Illness?

 

Romans 8:26-28 26Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered. 27And he that searcheth the hearts knoweth what is the mind of the Spirit, because he maketh intercession for the saints according to the will of God. 28And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.

 

INTRO: Two weeks ago I started a series about Weathering The Storms Of Life. I talked about What Do We Do When Things Go Bad? We looked at Job's unbelievable misfortunes. His reaction was to worship and trust the Lord. We also saw that he was truly blessed by God in the end.

Last week, I talked about What Do We Do When Facing Death? We looked at several different characters in God's Word and how they handled death. While it is never an easy thing, it is something that is with us in life. The question is how will we face death? Are you ready to face the ultimate test?

Today, I want to talk about, What Do We Do When Facing Illness?

Illness is around us all the time. How do we handle this? It is important that we try to do so the best way we can.

First, we can…

Spend a lot of time playing the self-blame game or we can find someone who will help us do so.

Blind man in John 9

Lame man in John 5

Myself - not drinking enough water

Our diet or health practices

Understand, we can make a difference, so this is not to toss out good health issues

Another trend is to…

Seek the entire round of treatments available - natural thing to do!

(or others will help us do so)

Man whose daughter was sick

Woman with an issue of blood for 12 years

Mark 5:21 - 43KJV 21And when Jesus was passed over again by ship unto the other side, much people gathered unto him: and he was nigh unto the sea. 22And, behold, there cometh one of the rulers of the synagogue, Jairus by name; and when he saw him, he fell at his feet, 23And besought him greatly, saying, My little daughter lieth at the point of death: I pray thee, come and lay thy hands on her, that she may be healed; and she shall live. 24And Jesus went with him; and much people followed him, and thronged him. 25And a certain woman, which had an issue of blood twelve years, 26And had suffered many things of many physicians, and had spent all that she had, and was nothing bettered, but rather grew worse, 27When she had heard of Jesus, came in the press behind, and touched his garment. 28For she said, If I may touch but his clothes, I shall be whole. 29And straightway the fountain of her blood was dried up; and she felt in her body that she was healed of that plague. 30And Jesus, immediately knowing in himself that virtue had gone out of him, turned him about in the press, and said, Who touched my clothes? 31And his disciples said unto him, Thou seest the multitude thronging thee, and sayest thou, Who touched me? 32And he looked round about to see her that had done this thing. 33But the woman fearing and trembling, knowing what was done in her, came and fell down before him, and told him all the truth. 34And he said unto her, Daughter, thy faith hath made thee whole; go in peace, and be whole of thy plague. 35While he yet spake, there came from the ruler of the synagogue’s house certain which said, Thy daughter is dead: why troublest thou the Master any further? 36As soon as Jesus heard the word that was spoken, he saith unto the ruler of the synagogue, Be not afraid, only believe. 37And he suffered no man to follow him, save Peter, and James, and John the brother of James. 38And he cometh to the house of the ruler of the synagogue, and seeth the tumult, and them that wept and wailed greatly. 39And when he was come in, he saith unto them, Why make ye this ado, and weep? the damsel is not dead, but sleepeth. 40And they laughed him to scorn. But when he had put them all out, he taketh the father and the mother of the damsel, and them that were with him, and entereth in where the damsel was lying. 41And he took the damsel by the hand, and said unto her, TalithaTalitha cumicumi; which is, being interpreted, Damsel, I say unto thee, arise. 42And straightway the damsel arose, and walked; for she was of the age of twelve years. And they were astonished with a great astonishment. 43And he charged them straitly that no man should know it; and commanded that something should be given her to eat.

But more than how we try to get well, let us look at how we deal with our being sick

Some complain and blame - easy to do

Blame Satan - know the story of Job

Blame God - easy target

Blame others - safer target?

Some complain and gain sympathy

 

 

Some endure and gain sympathy

Make sure others know they are enduring

Others know and watch them endure - they do watch!

 

Believe it or not…

Some endure quietly

2 Timothy 3:12 12Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution.

Not willing to make a big deal

Resigned to suffering

But…

Some endure and look forward instead of backwards

James 1:2 - 4 2My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations; 3Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience. 4But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing.

Know God can use their lives sick or well

Rejoice in the Lord's trials

1 Peter 1:6 - 7 6Wherein ye greatly rejoice, though now for a season, if need be, ye are in heaviness through manifold temptations: 7That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ:

Know it can bring growth

1 Peter 4:12 - 13 12Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you: 13But rejoice, inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ’s sufferings; that, when his glory shall be revealed, ye may be glad also with exceeding joy.

I want to see some advantages in sickness

Romans 5:3 - 5 3And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience; 4And patience, experience; and experience, hope: 5And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us.

It is an opportunity to let God's love shine in our lives

It is an opportunity to let others know of Him

It is an opportunity to lean on Him

It is an opportunity to grow in faith

It is an opportunity to hear and get closer to Him

Job 36:15 15He delivereth the poor in his affliction, and openeth their ears in oppression.

 

During my last "bout"

I learned people do care - what rejoicing that truly brings

I remembered God is still there

I remembered we can still praise Him when sick and hurting

I remembered there is a better place that awaits us

I remembered my frailty and my needful frame

 

 

 

Gary Marcum - New Beginnings Church - 082805am