Three days after my experience of being able to sleep soundly despite a horrible head cold, I had the opportunity to once again take a stand in faith. I had barely recovered from the last assault to my health when my wife brought home another unwelcome intruder: the stomach flu! Naturally, three days later, I began to have symptoms that seemed a bit too suspicious: acid coating my esophagus like a brand of hot, burning fire, just hours before bedtime.

I realized again that sleep would be elusive. After all who could sleep with a fire going on inside, no matter where it might be located? It was then that I was again made aware of the Living Truth: “Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding.” (Proverbs 3:5, NIV2)

Yes, I’m sorry to admit it, but at times (in fact, most of the time!!!), I tend to rely on my brain to sort things out. Especially things like internal fire (unlike eternal fire). Right then and there I started to seriously consider the following text: “Nothing, you see, is impossible with God.” (Luke 1:37, MSG)

I had a choice to make. I could either trust in my acidic symptoms or trust in my Father in heaven who guarantees me victory. Was this truly a choice? Sadly, way too often I take the wrong end of that deal and end up suffering needlessly. Too often I figuratively “bang my forehead against a wall” and ask myself: “Am I really that stupid?”

That night, though, I truly put my trust in my God, and I went to bed in full assurance that all would be well. Even though I would awaken to that fire continuing to wreak havoc in my digestive track, I fell asleep for six uninterrupted hours, and this gave me the energy I needed to face the upcoming “onslaught” of symptoms, if you know what I mean! (If you don’t know what I mean, please don’t ask!). In all, my ordeal, the same one that my wife had faced three days earlier, was much milder than usual, and the two days I took off of work gave me the opportunity to “rest” to my heart’s content.

I wonder if sickness sometimes occur in order to show us that we need to slow down and consider what truly matters in life! We are not, after all, indestructible! I’m sorry to burst your bubble if you thought otherwise! We are all frail and prone to diseases! Despite this, we can trust in God to give us the upper hand in our circumstances. No matter what we are going through, either sickness or health, He is there for us! “So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.” (Isaiah 41:10, NIV2) He will be our strength when we are weak. He will sustain us when we are drained.

His Kingdom is a Kingdom of power after all!

Rob Chaffart

(To access the entire “Kingdom of Power” devotional series, please click here.)