(1 Tim 5:23) No longer drink only water, but use a little wine for your stomach’s sake and your frequent infirmities.
You hear so much from the prosperity teachers that God wants you healthy and wealthy. They seem to have a lot of supporting scriptures and they talk so convincingly. But if you are the least bit sick or poor, you end up feeling guilty that you don’t have enough faith. We know there is a place for healing, but is there a place for poor health? What does the Bible really say?
ACCEPT: The apostle Paul fell sick on his first missionary trip. In Galatians he talks about his physical infirmity and how the church accepted him in his weakened state. (Gal 4:13-15) In 2 Corinthians 12:7-10, Paul talks about his thorn in the flesh and how he prayed three times for the Lord to take it away. Most Bible scholars refer to the thorn in the flesh as his sickness. The Lord didn’t remove his thorn and he had to accept God’s plan for him. Have you prayed for health and you are still feeling poorly? Accept what has come your way and stop trying to fight it. Don’t compare your life to how things used to be. God is doing a new work in you. (Job 2:10) . . . Shall we indeed accept good from God, and shall we not accept adversity?” . . .
DIRECT: Once you accept the reality of your health, it’s time to be solution driven. The first thing you want to do is pray! And after you have prayed it’s time to go that next step and ask for prayer from others. (James 5:14-15) Is anyone among you sick? Let him call for the elders of the church, and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord. 15 And the prayer of faith will save the sick, and the Lord will raise him up. And if he has committed sins . . . Give the Lord a chance to heal you. If He doesn’t, it will be prudent for you to start seeking medical help. That is not a lack of faith! Even Paul had a doctor traveling with him. (Col 4:14) Luke the beloved physician and Demas greet you. Prayer and medical help often go together. (Isa 38:21) Now Isaiah had said, “Let them take a lump of figs, and apply it as a poultice on the boil, and he (Hezekiah) shall recover.”
EXPECT: It’s so easy to be depressed when you’re not feeling well, and especially when you see no end in sight. But don’t give up! Be like that woman who navigated through that busy crowd to touch Jesus. (Mat 9:21) For she said to herself, “If only I may touch His garment, I shall be made well.” Jesus complimented her faith and then healed her. And while you are pressing in for your healing, remember the words of Jesus to Paul: (2 Cor 12:9-10) And He said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.” . . . For when I am weak, then I am strong. When you aren’t feeling good you have the blessed privilege of seeing God do great things through your weakness, so He may get all the glory. So, whether you are healed or not, God isn’t finished with you. He is working in you, as well as through you. And remember this great promise: (Phil 4:13) I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.
Louie