Have you ever been under the weather? Feeling out of sorts and out of control? This past week, my body succumbed to a cold virus shared by my grandchildren. It has left me feeling weak, wimpy and frustrated. As I prayed for myself and my other afflicted family members, I was so grateful to know we weren’t fighting Covid. While I knew and know that recovery is on its way, I battled with my mind about the “right” way to walk when you aren’t feeling well. Guilt and shame come too quickly with condemnation and discouragement attempting to take up space where rest should be. The battle is often, ‘if I only had more faith…then I wouldn’t be ill, or I would speak the word and get up and go, etc.’ I normally write this blog on Thursdays. Yesterday, I couldn’t. My brain wouldn’t focus. So I had to put it aside and trust it to another day. I chose to walk in peace and the needed rest I had to take. I realize we (I) often make things too complicated. Maybe all we need to do is walk in childlike faith.
When my children were small and not feeling well, it was hard. I wanted them well quickly. It was hard to watch them suffer. As a mother, I would encourage them to rest, give them any needed meds, pray for healing and trust their bodies would recover. Thinking back, they just trusted me. They weren’t worried about the why’s or the wherefores of being sick, they just trusted the process. It is true, by God’s grace and mercy, we never faced long-term illnesses, but we had bouts of mononucleosis, a broken arm and some ear infections that stretched my faith and my patience.
Let the children come to me. Don’t stop them! For the Kingdom of God belongs to those who are like these children. I tell you the truth, anyone who doesn’t receive the Kingdom of God like a child will never enter it. (Mark 10:14) Learning to put our childlike faith into practice during sick times, may be the best lesson we can learn. Having childlike faith does not mean that you cannot ask questions. Ask any mom or dad of a small child—they ask questions all the time! They trust their parent to give them the truth. We should trust the Lord to lead us into His truth about our health issues. He may show us areas where we need to make changes, and we need to be careful that we don’t react with childishness!
As an adult, with this passing illness, I choose to rest in His love. When small children are ill, they come to their parent. Snuggles and comfort are often just what they need. It is the same for me. As I rest in His love, I am allowing His healing presence to move in my mind, my soul and my body. I trust Him to show me what to do. Call the doctor? Drink water? Take a nap? Let my friend bring me some soup? I am choosing to humble myself and trust Him, while remembering His healing power and His healing promises. I am much better today. Just need to build back my stamina. His words of wisdom for me are to walk in His rhythm of grace and trust. I have nothing to prove. I release my faith and simply walk with Him.
Faith Encounters 