Sanctifying Sniffles

Repost.

It's no fun being sick. This year I've been sick a couple times, and based on the myriad of friends and family members in the area who have also caught the nasties in recent days (perhaps including you), I’m guessing they feel the same way.

All in all, I haven’t had it that bad. Fever, chills, aches, headaches and weariness about sum up my symptoms. Thankfully, I’m mostly over the nasties except the stuffy nose part.
While in bed and unable to sleep last week, I began thinking about the blessings of my condition. Here are three lessons from home that God taught me afresh:

1. I am very weak: During a “normal” week I run, bike and/or swim 4-6 days a week. I value exercise and intentional movement. But during the nasties I struggled to walk less than 10 feet to the bathroom. Just thinking about getting dressed and walking to the car to drive somewhere wearied me. My weakness in sickness is an evidence of my ever-present weakness as a human completely dependent on God for each breath and step that I take.

2. Family is a gift: Specifically, Fleur. She cheerfully took great care of her less-than-cheerful-husband. Time and again she asked if there was anything she could do for me. At one point we were out of cough drops and she went and got some cough drops to help soothe my throat and allow me to get back to sleep. She truly is a gift from God.
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3. God is in control: He created and controls the galaxies, and He is in complete control over each sniffle and stuffy nose. Rehearsing this truth while in bed gave me cause to rejoice in my sickness and thank Him for the extra time to pray and meditate on my weakness and His provision. I certainly have light years to go in my own sanctification process, but this short time of sickness that limited physical steps allowed me to take some spiritual steps that I may not have taken otherwise in the hustle-bustle of routine.