I Hope It Flu Away

HoHum:

Note placed on workers desk after he came back from sick days: I heard you caught a cold; I hope it Flu away

WBTU:

The human body is a frail and complicated machine. From the sole of the foot to the crown of the head there is not a part of us which is not liable to disease. When I think of all the sickness that comes against us, I do not wonder so much that we die at last- as I do that we live so long.

Sickness and disease, where did it all begin? The fall of humanity at the beginning brought sin into the world, and sin has brought with it the curse of sickness, suffering and pain. These are not things which God created at the beginning. These are consequences of people’s transgressions. People are to blame, not God. The countless sufferings we see are the consequence of the original disobedience.

When I see a little infant, too young to know good from evil, full of bodily pain and hovering between life and death in a weeping mother’s arms, I would be completely puzzled and confused if I did not believe the bible. I would ask myself, “Where is the justice and mercy of allowing such things? Where is the wisdom and love of the Creator?” When I turn to the Bible, this problems is solved. I learn that suffering is the result of Adam’s fall. This infant would not have suffered if Adam had not sinned, and we through Adam.

“In those days Hezekiah became ill and was at the point of death. The prophet Isaiah son of Amoz went to him and said, “This is what the LORD says: Put your house in order, because you are going to die; you will not recover.” Hezekiah turned his face to the wall and prayed to the LORD, “Remember, O LORD, how I have walked before you faithfully and with wholehearted devotion and have done what is good in your eyes.” And Hezekiah wept bitterly. Then the word of the LORD came to Isaiah: “Go and tell Hezekiah, ‘This is what the LORD, the God of your father David, says: I have heard your prayer and seen your tears; I will add fifteen years to your life.” “Surely it was for my benefit that I suffered such anguish. In your love you kept me from the pit of destruction; you have put all my sins behind your back.” Isaiah 38:1-5, 17, NIV.

Cynthia, the postmaster of Bell Arthur, NC, would tell me about people in the community who were sick and/or in the hospital. She would say that the Lord is working through these infirmities to bring people closer to Him. Often left going out to visit with renewed vigor.

The Lord answers prayers with a Yes, No, or wait awhile. Talking about the wait awhile here. Not talking about the one on hospice per say but talking about those who have temporary illnesses, getting us prepared for the flu season.

Thesis: What is sickness meant to teach us?

For instances:

A. Sickness is meant to make us think

Surely it was for my benefit that I suffered such anguish- King Hezekiah

We have a soul as well as a body- an immortal soul

If that soul is not saved we had better never have been born; “Do not be afraid of those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather, be afraid of the One who can destroy both soul and body in hell.” Matthew 10:28, NIV.

In your love you kept me from the pit of destruction- King Hezekiah; Talking with a dear lady who is in nursing facility- “we think we can do things but without God we can do nothing. This has humbled me and helped me to realize that I can’t even walk without God holding my hand.”

B. Sickness is meant to teach us that there is a world beyond the grave

The world we live in is only a training place for another place- heaven- where there will be no decay, no sorrow, no tears, no misery and no sin

Some people live in pain everyday with no hope of relief, long to be freed from this body

Others who have no pain do not want to think about these things, push them out of their mind. Good to think about this. “It is better to go to a house of mourning than to go to a house of feasting, for death is the destiny of every man; the living should take this to heart.” Ecclesiastes 7:2, NIV. “The heart of the wise is in the house of mourning, but the heart of fools is in the house of pleasure.” Ecclesiastes 7:4, NIV.

C. Sickness is meant to make us look at our lives honestly