“Jesus answered, It was not that this man or his parents sinned, but he was born blind in order that the workings of God should be manifested in him” (John 9:3).
One of the first questions that we ask after the diagnosis of an illness is “WHY!” In response to a question by His disciples about why a man was blind, Jesus told them it was to show the workings of God that they might be manifested in him.
Many patients that I have worked with have asked, “What did I do wrong? I’ve been a good person, gone to church, been a good father and husband. Why has the Lord brought this on me?”
Many people often feel illness and adversity is because of sin or something they did wrong. Jesus said that Lazarus died to show His glory and that illness was there to manifest His workings.
The first time I noticed that scripture I was incredulous! How could the illness and chaos of my life manifest The Lord’s working if He was an all loving God?
I told my pastor once that I worried what my boys would think of my needing to rest so much. He responded that it was the way I handled myself and my attitude that’d make the difference in how they felt about it. If I had sense of peace and acceptance, so would they. If I whined and felt sorry for myself, so would they.
That doesn’t mean I couldn’t complain and say I wish things were different. I did need to show my faith that the Lord was in control and acceptant where I was! A delicate balancing act. I need two positive thoughts for every negative thought.
Many times, the only time we really let the Lord show His workings in us is when we give up control and turn it over to Him! In illness and adversity, we are expected to do all that we can to take care of ourselves and then let go and let Him be manifested in us.
About the Author:
Kathleen S. Lewis, RN, MS, PC, MP: has lived with SLE and many other rheumatic diseases since 1978. She is the author of “Celebrate Life, New Attitudes for Living with Chronic Illness,” runs a counseling ministry by phone and internet and is a Stephen minister. She has 2 adult sons and 4 magical grandchildren and resides in Atlanta, GA with LB, the best Peek-a-Poo ever. She says, “I know in my weakness is God’s strength.” Drop her a line at joyawe@earthlink.net
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