What does the Bible say?  2 Corinthians 4:16-18  “Therefore we do not give up.  Even though our outer person is being destroyed, our inner person is being renewed day by day.  (17) For our momentary light affliction is producing for us an absolutely incomparable eternal weight of glory.  (18) So we do not focus on what is seen, but on what is unseen.  For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal. (HCSB)

I have a sister-in-law who battles daily with the effects chemo did to her body.  I have a friend who battles daily cancer cells and going through the chemo treatments to get rid of those cells.  I’m sure you have someone close to you who suffers daily a sickness that will not go away or at least lingers longer than one would like. I have a grandson with NF 1 and to experience the anguish any parent goes through when they must endure MRI’s to determine if there are any tumors or new tumors, can be emotionally devastating.  There are many parents who put their lives on hold and anxiously await treatments of various kinds at children’s hospitals.   Anyone who struggles with a long-term health issue will eventually come to the question:  If God can heal me, why doesn’t he? or I’ve prayed Lord for a miracle to happen for my sweet baby, why have you not given that miracle?  We are human.  These questions and many others may go unanswered as we struggle to make sense of it all.

The apostle Paul had a “thorn” in his side that he pleaded for the Lord to take away.  But, what the Lord said to Paul in 2 Corinthians 12:9 was not only the answer Paul sought, it was a comfort to know that, “My grace is sufficient for you, for power is perfected in weakness.”  God did not heal Paul’s “thorn” because he wanted Paul to understand that His grace was sufficient and that Paul would receive strength in his weakness.  For those of you who still are clamoring, “It is not fair!,”  think of it this way: someone born blind, a young twelve-year-old who dove into a pool and hit the bottom to never walk again, or maybe your own parent who is going through an illness where they must be on continual oxygen and can barely converse due to gasping for breath can live at peace knowing God is with them.  You may not be experiencing these things in your life and you should praise God for your blessings!  But, for those who are, how do we give hope to our loved ones or friends who must endure a long-term illness or catastrophic event?

2 Corinthians 12:10 gives us the answer.  (10) “So I take pleasure in weaknesses, insults, catastrophes, persecutions, and in pressures, because of Christ.” (HCSB)  Jesus promises to be with us in every and all trials.  In the Psalm 23, God has promised to walk with and protect us through it all.  Our part is to walk with our eyes fixed upon Him, with our spirits attuned to His presence, and our minds trusting in His promises.  We must place our faith in His will.  In turn, we can minister to others and give them the hope and endurance needed to go the distance.  Your friend or loved one may not receive a miracle of healing.  Paul did not.  But, it is comforting to know that God is there with us all the way and will receive us gladly into heaven when our suffering is done.  In Psalms 116:15, the Psalmist wrote, “The death of His faithful ones is valuable in the Lord’s sight.”  We will receive crowns of glory for suffering.  Rejoice in this knowledge. Share this with those who must endure their long-term sickness.  Remember, good friends help you find important things when you have lost them…things like your smile, your hope, and your courage to keep on keeping on!  I do not fully understand why God has determined to do some of His most significant work through sickness, pain, and trial.  But, when we choose to find joy, peace, and trust in God even in the midst of our suffering, He rewards us.

So, how do we help those who are suffering?  We must pray for relief from their sickness and disease.  Pray boldly for healing each and every day.  Pray that all parties would find peace in God’s will.  Second, be there!  Make an effort to take the friend or loved one to treatments or shopping or many other things we take for granted that could be a burden on the one sick.  Practice a “ministry of presence.”  Third, be involved in their care.  Take meals over, offer to babysit, run errands, or give rides to doctor appointments when needed.  You can choose to be the hope that person who is suffering needs!