This Sickness is for the Glory of God

John 11:4  When Jesus heard that, he said, This sickness is not unto death, but for the glory of God, that the Son of God might be glorified thereby.

If we are going to suffer, and it is sure that each of us will, our suffering ought to end up glorifying the Lord. 

I personally am a wimp when it comes to suffering. I truly believe I am allergic to pain and I have a great aversion to illness. When all is going well and we are feeling good, we should rejoice and be grateful for God's rich blessing of good health. But when disease or sickness invades our body it is time to learn some valuable lessons and grow in our faith. 

Lazarus' illness and subsequent death taught us that God can do anything.

Paul's thorn in the flesh taught us that God's grace is sufficient for us.

Peter's Mother-in-law's illness taught us that we can go from sickness to serving in mere moments.

The illness of the woman with the issue of blood taught us that when the doctors are at the end of their devices, God has just begun to work.

Timothy's stomach problems taught us to minister even when we don't feel well. 

Truly, the Great Physician allows suffering for greater good: the building of our faith, the learning of patience, the drawing out of our praise, the learning of important life lessons and, most of all, the glory of God.