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