The Uncomfortable Reality of Waiting
As I reflect on my own experiences with discomfort, I’m reminded of the times I’ve tried to rough it and sleep outside. Around 10 o’clock, I’d ask myself, “Why am I doing this?” The thought of my cozy bed at home, empty and unused, would haunt me. For me, a tent is no substitute for the comfort of home.
The Tent of Our Bodies
The Bible teaches us that our bodies are like earthly tents, temporary dwellings until we receive our eternal, heavenly homes. In 2 Corinthians 5:1-3, Paul describes our bodies as fragile, imperfect structures that will one day be replaced by glorious, heavenly dwellings. Our bodies, though gifts from God, are prone to sickness and decay, reminding us that our world is fallen and imperfect.
The Gift of Longing
When illness strikes, we’re forced to confront the reality of our mortality. Our bodies, once comfortable and familiar, become foreign and unpredictable. This discomfort can be a blessing in disguise, as it awakens a deep longing for our heavenly home and resurrected bodies. Just as I longed for my bed at home while sleeping on the cold, hard ground, so too can we celebrate the fact that illness makes us yearn for our eternal dwelling.
Waiting in Illness
Waiting is an integral part of the experience of illness. We wait on test results, remission, relief from side effects, and ultimately, healing. God’s responses to our prayers for healing vary, sometimes bringing swift and miraculous recovery, while other times withholding healing. In Scripture, we see examples of God’s different responses to sickness, from the instantaneous healing of Simon Peter’s mother-in-law to the delayed healing of others.
The Power of Faith
While instantaneous healing brings glory to God, it’s also glorified when we continue to walk in faith despite our suffering. Those who praise God in the midst of their pain show a supernatural faith that can only be attributed to the Holy Spirit. This kind of faith is a powerful witness to the world, pointing to the restoration that will come when Christ returns.
Waiting Well
So, what does it mean to wait well when we long to be healed? It involves praying for healing, seeking medical treatment, and recognizing that God may have purposes for delaying that healing. One purpose may be to remind those around us that our bodies are temporary and fragile, pointing to our need for resurrection. As we wait, we can help others see their urgent need to repent and believe before it’s too late.
The Parable of Illness
Our illnesses, whether terminal or chronic, serve as a parable of our need for resurrection. They remind us that our world is broken and that only God’s love endures eternally. As we wait for healing, we can point others to the hope of heaven, where all will be made new. Our illnesses may be messy and complex, but God can use them to tell his story through us, if we dig deeply into his Word and trust in his power.
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