When You're Sick of Being Sick

Have you ever had one of those days where the walls seem to be falling in all around you, and pressures and stresses seem to tug at you and you can't get loose?
 
The past few weeks have been like that for me.
 
I will spare you the details, but let's just say I was at the end of my rope, sick non-stop the whole entire day.
 
I was sick of being sick. Have you ever felt that way?
 
Now in the Bible, when weight and pressures came to grab hold, individuals often resorted to one of two things:  Fighting against God or running.

• Jacob ran from Esau. (Gen 25:19-24)
• Moses ran to the desert after murdering an Egyptian. (Ex 2:11-25)
• Elijah ran from Jezabel (1 Kings 19:3)
• Jonah ran from his call. (Jonah 1:3)
• The disciples ran when Jesus was arrested. (Mark 14:15)
• Jacob wrestled God. (32:22-32)

• Saul offered burnt offerings in overt disobedience. (1 Sam 13:10-13)
• Satan warred with God and fought for Lordship. (Ezek 28:14-16)
   
  The game plan hasn't changed any. In reality, aren't you and I as Missional Women still fighting the same temptations today, to fight against God's will or flee?
   
  But there is a third option, often we don't see. 
   
  Twelve hours into being sick I remembered reading Daniel a few days earlier. Daniel gave thanks three times a day, though him and his friends had been taken to captive in Babylon.
   
  And why is it we can think praise follows presents, thanks is our offering to God, instead of the gateway to heaven that changes our circumstances?
   
  I open Pandora there on my sick bed. Something incredible happening...
   
  Instead of challenging God in my mind, or running from Him in my heart, worship draws me in, lifts Him up, and with open hands, His love shines hard in the places I had needed Him most.
   
  Worship became my healing.
   
  I notice my mind clear, my sympathies started shifting from myself to His mercies, and goodness, and grace.
   
  And yet, how often do we forget as spouses, or parents, as Missional Women living to spread His name, we have a third option additional to running and fleeing....We can praise Him in our hardships?
   
  After all, scripture teaches, thanks and praise:
  
  

1. Breaks down the walls of Jericho in our life. (Joshua 6:1-20)
2. Crushes the strongholds of the enemy. (Psalms 149:6-9)
3. Is God's will for us. (1 Thess. 5:16:18)
4. Looses chains, open doors, releases shakels, and shatters strongholds and foudations. (Acts 16:23-36)
5. Brings God to dwell nearer to us. “God inhabits the praises of His people.” (Psalms 22:3)
6. Causes the Lord to set an ambush against the enemy. (Chron 20:22)
7. Heals us spiritually. (Saul became refreshed, made well, & the evil spirits departed from him when David played. - Samuel 16, 2)
8. Calms a troubled souls and brings real victory. (2 Kings 3:15-19)
    
   And while there are other forms of thanks and worshipping, including praying, giving, living holy lives, or sspeaking about Jesus, scripture teaches the power and victory that comes when we can learn to praise Hin through our difficulties.
    
   As the worship music played on Pandora that day, something changed.
    
   And just the same, when troubles come our way, we can fight or run...
    
   Or we can offer God the same praise and thanks that opened shakels, won wars, conquered the enemy, and brought power the people had never known before.
    
   What do you need to give God praise and thanks for today?
   

About Jen

Though born, raised, and still living only miles from where she grew up, Jen's heart lies in the nations. Jen loves the beautiful tapestry found in the wide diversity of people, different cultures, and all nations.  Jen and her husband have been married twenty years, and have parented fifteen kids and counting; twelve foster, one adopted, and two bios.  Her multi-racial family reflects her passion for unity, desire for faith without walls, and missional mindset to share both the gospel and the power of redemption to a world desperately needing the hope found in Jesus Christ. Jen and her husband have led in a variety of ministries; including prayer, small groups, children's, and women’s.  Jen advocates for the orphan as a board member for the non-profit, A New Song; and loves doing missions work internationally, along with her family.  You can find Jen writing about faith, while challenging her readers at her blog, Rich Faith Rising, as well as at tweeting faith-filled messages @Jen_Avellaneda .  Jen is also on Facebook.  
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