Can it be healthy to be sick?

Dear Friends,

“I wish you happiness and health, but most importantly, good health.”

I’ve heard this phrase hundreds of times in Eastern Europe – at birthdays, toasts, New Year’s Eve parties, and even in casual greetings. What you wish for others tells a great deal about what you value. Good health ranks right at the top of the “value list” in Eastern Europe.

Unfortunately, my health is not good right now. Doctors informed me about three weeks ago that I have a damaged mitral valve in my heart, and left alone, my heart would fail in the near future. I’m scheduled for open heart surgery in the middle of May, at a hospital here in the Czech Republic.

I’m not used to being sick. The reality of a serious operation doesn’t sound pleasant to me. On the other hand, I know that suffering, and even sickness, are part of God’s plan for believers. To keep my eyes on what God values, I’ve started collecting a list of why it is healthy to be sick.

Here is what I have so far:

1. Sickness reminds us of the brevity of life and focuses our eyes on eternity
2. Sickness shows us the frailty of our bodies and forces us to rely on God’s strength
3. Illness makes us need others more, and mobilizes God’s body to care and pray
4. Physical affliction causes us to slow down and creates space to reflect and listen to God’s voice
5. Pain tempers us, making us softer and more sensitive to the suffering of others
6. Difficulty gives us greater opportunity to glorify God by displaying his power in our weakness

There is much I would like you to pray for this month, as our team gathers for a training conference in early May, our summer interns arrive for their two months of service during the middle of the month, and our staff gears up for their summer outreach events towards the end. I also ask you to pray for me and my family – that we will experience the Lord’s protection, and take in the full blessing of what He has prepared for us.

God’s glory, eternal perspective, dependence, sensitivity, and character – these are things truly worth wishing for.

Thankful for each of you,