Life's Inanities and Ironies

  The eternal perspective that keeps us from despair Even when the body can do almost nothing, the believer is not finished. Paul, writing of his own afflictions, said the God of all comfort comforts us so that we may be able to comfort others with the same comfort (2 Corinthians 1:3-4). The sickbed can become a place of intercession, of quiet testimony, of demonstrating that Christ is enough. Romans 8:28 remains true in the hospital room and the recovery chair: “And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.” The outward man may be perishing, but the eternal weight of glory is being worked in us (2 Corinthians 4:17). Present sufferings are not worthy to be compared with the glory that shall be revealed (Romans 8:18). You may not be able to preach, teach, or serve in the ways you once did. You can still pray. You can still give thanks. You can still bear witness by the quiet confidence that whether we l...

  Humility when we must lean on others First Peter 5:7 is simple and sweeping: “Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you.” Yet many of us find it harder to cast the care of being a burden than the care of the sickness itself. We never wanted to need help. We never wanted family or church to rearrange their lives around our weakness. Scripture does not shame the one who must receive. It shames the pride that refuses to receive. The early church held all things common so that none would lack (Acts 2:44-45; 4:32-35). Pure religion visits the fatherless and widows in their affliction (James 1:27). When we are the one in affliction, allowing the saints to fulfill that calling is part of our obedience. There is a holy humility in saying, “I cannot do this alone.” It is the same humility that lets the Spirit help our infirmities (Romans 8:26). It is the same humility that lets the body of Christ function. The Lord who cares for you has also placed people around you to be the ...

  The secret Paul learned in every state Paul wrote from prison, “I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content. I know both how to be abased, and I know how to abound… I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me” (Philippians 4:11-13). Contentment is not natural. It is learned. And it is often learned most deeply when sickness strips away every ability to “do.” First Thessalonians 5:16-18 commands us: “Rejoice evermore. Pray without ceasing. In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.” Notice it does not say give thanks for the sickness as if it were good in itself, but in every thing. The circumstance is real; the thanksgiving is an act of faith that God remains sovereign and good. Job lost everything and still worshiped. Habakkuk, facing barren fields, still determined to rejoice in the Lord (Habakkuk 3:17-18). The believer who can no longer help anyone else is not exempt from these commands. In fact, ...

  What Scripture commands when we are sick and dependent James does not leave the sick believer to suffer in isolation. He gives clear instruction: “Is any sick among you? 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: And the prayer of faith shall save the sick, and the Lord shall raise him up” (James 5:14-15). He continues, “Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much” (v. 16). Notice the direction of the command. The sick one is to call. Dependence is not failure; it is obedience. We are not designed to carry every burden alone. Galatians 6:2 says, “Bear ye one another’s burdens, and so fulfil the law of Christ.” There is a difference between the personal load each must carry (Galatians 6:5) and the crushing burden that requires the help of the body. When sickness makes us unable to help ourselves or others...