I hate being sick.

It may sound silly but after 5 days of laying in bed sick I began to wonder if God likes me anymore. It's not that I believe God is mean, I just feel awful and I generally need someone to blame. In all honesty, you probably have those moments where you think God doesn't care about your situation too, huh?. You probably ask the famous question of; "Why?"

Why would God allow such painful circumstances to exist in my life? Why hasn't God fixed things yet?

These questions have led me to search out more of who God is. I have found a few things I want you to know.

Every bad circumstance or common cold doesn't mean God is punishing me. Just because I get the flu doesn't mean God is getting even with me for a sin I committed. That isn't how God chooses to work on a regular basis. He could give me the flu if He chose, however the character of God is far above such juvenile actions. I get the flu because I live in a world of germs and have a slowly dying immune system. Sickness comes from a sinful world. If you get a disease as a direct sinful action that would be your fault not God's sinister plan.

Here is a revealing insight into the sickness we endure on this earth. "As he went along, he saw a man blind from birth. His disciples asked him, "Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?" "Neither this man nor his parents sinned," said Jesus, "but this happened so that the work of God might be displayed in his life." (Jn. 9:1-3)

God never stops liking me. His love and kindness is faithful and never changes even when my circumstances change. Psalm 18:50; 32:10; 52:8, in fact over 27 different verse in Psalm talk about how God's love for me never stops, it never fails. Romans 8 reminds us that we can never be separated from the love of God. Not even sickness will do it! God loves me, and he loves you everyday. The only thing that changes is our perspective, really what changes is our memory. I know I can think of many times that God has proven his love to me. When my circumstances are painful I must remember that it is just the world around me changing not God. He is the same, yesterday, today and forever.

Being sick allows me to think allot. It allows me to listen better to God's voice. Last night as I lay in bed it was as though the Lord had a lot to tell me. He was giving me lots of ideas for ministry, my family, and giving me insight non-stop. I finally expressed, "Why are you talking so much when I want to go to sleep?" His reply was, "Because it tends to be the only time you'll listen."

Ouch, so true.

Being sick, losing someone you love, enduring a disability, living with that scar, it might actually be a blessing. When anything turns our attention to God and we began to hear his voice clearer it truly is worth it. Don't get frustrated while you endure this difficulty in your life right now. Open your ears and eyes to the work and voice of God around you. He has much he wants to tell you.

Perhaps God just wants to start by telling you that He loves you very much.

- Josh