Mitzi Hopper Sahawneh
Yes. I think about the proverb (I think) that says that all things happen to the just and unjust alike. It comes from the fall I believe. If it is God's will, we can avoid illness—- or maybe is that we just do not ask?
Suffering is a part of our lives, Christian or not. But we know that we are taught about suffering in God's Word. James says it produces perseverance— which makes me think that we are actually strengthened enduring illnesses. We think of illnesses as BAD but apparently, they actually work good for us. We are told to expect it– God has taught us in His word to prepare us.
In talking about physical sickness in particular— I know that when I get sick to the point that I am bed ridden— I pray…… ALOT! Many times, I believe God used that sickness to bring me closer to Him in prayer instead of me doing all the other things I would have been doing.
Suffering is a blessing because when it is lifted, we appreciate wellness more. When we take our health for granted (which I realize while I am typing this that God is showing me I need to be thankful to Him right now for my health) can become ungrateful.
Also, look at what happens when we are sick. We tell others and they pray for us. There is a sense of need for others— and others 'share in' the illness so to speak. We learn unity.l
When we glorify God in illness— that is the grace of God at work–
So I think illnesses are needed to produce things that cannot be produced otherwise. It is a spiritual reality that does not make sense in the world's way of thinking. We know that our suffering here produces for us a better weight in glory.
This is where faith comes in and the Spirit imparting the truth of God's Word to us— do we believe this or not? Do we really believe what God says when he says that it is producing a better weight in glory? If we do, then we can endure with at thankful heart and praise to God.
If we doubt this, then we are left to try to rationalize in the flesh– hopeless—-
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The words you refer to are in Ecclesiastes, and refer to death, not illness:
“The wise have eyes in their heads,
while the fool walks in the darkness;
but I came to realize
that the same fate overtakes them both.” — Eccl. 3:4
The author was a nihlist:
“Surely the fate of human beings is like that of the animals; the same fate awaits them both: As one dies, so dies the other. All have the same breath; humans have no advantage over animals. Everything is meaningless.”
This was written before belief in afterlife, and the author does not offer a solution, except to enjoy life while you have it:
“Go, eat your food with gladness, and drink your wine with a joyful heart, …. Enjoy life with your wife, whom you love, all the days of this meaningless life … in the realm of the dead, where you are going, there is neither working nor planning nor knowledge nor wisdom.” Eccl 9:7-10.
Hi Joe;
The Preacher was a pretty wise person.