When was your last sick day?

Think of the last time you were sick or in pain, and had to miss work. Those times in life when you’re more than a little under the weather. Your body aches and your brain has a foggy feeling that you can’t shake. You don’t want to talk to anyone, you don’t want to do anything. You just lay there in bed or on the couch, but your mind won’t turn off.

Why not? There’s mental and emotional tension that remains because you know there are so many things that need to be done. You did the right thing; you called in, and you’re taking the sick day. That was a good decision. You know that we need to get some rest and heal up. And yet, the anxiety of the workload that will be left when you return to health can be as overwhelming as the illness.

It’s time to pray.

I remember the last time I was really sick. All I could do was pray. I sat there, head in hand, begging God to take away whatever evil bug had unleashed its power on me. It was just cold and flu, but because I’m a man, it was a man-cold-and-flu…which is much worse… isn’t it? (Do any husbands out there know what I’m talking about?) Okay, I’m just a wimp! Either way, I was praying hard, that God would help me get over it and get back to work.

It was at that moment, that God showed up in a way that I didn’t expect. He impressed upon my heart the question, “Why?” Why did I pray so hard when I’m sick? Why don’t I pray this hard when my health is top-notch?

I realized that it’s part of our fallen human nature, isn’t it? Sickness and pain remind us that we’re broken. That we need someone greater than ourselves to help us. Illness and injury drive us to our knees because we can’t function on our own. At that moment, we finally submit that we’re not doing well. This is good for us.

Being a father has helped me.

It was at that point, when I felt just awful, feeling broken and praying for healing, that the Lord gave me another thought. I started to think of my role as a father, in relation to our Heavenly Father.

I have three sons; that are rambunctious, to say the least. Their favourite forms of physical contact are wrestling or some form of ‘ninja move‘. They don’t stop for long; they’re always doing something, going somewhere, or have a story to tell about what they’ve done or where they’ve gone. They’re very busy boys!

That being said, I am reminded of a time when Jude, our oldest was quite young, about 3-years-old. He came down with a bad stomach virus; it hit him hard! He was not able to keep any fluids down and was starting to get dehydrated. We were so concerned that we decided to bring him into the ER.

During that time, it was amazing to me, to see the shift in our son. When that illness hit him, his entire demeanour completely shifted! He transformed from a non-stop mini-ninja to a helpless child. He went from a boy of constant adventure who couldn’t sit still, to a boy who desired nothing more than to lay still in his daddy’s arms.

I remember an inner conflict.

I was conflicted at that moment. Obviously, I deeply desired my son to be well and running around like usual. However, I also cherish this time when my son wanted nothing more than to cuddle in his dad’s arms. It was a golden time that I never want to forget!

This is such a rich example of our relationship with our Heavenly Father. When we’re sick or in pain, we can’t do life on our own. We will not make it through the day without help. So, why not make the choice, to crawl up into our Father’s lap for a while? Why not ask for help and healing, ask for rest and renewal?

It sounds strange, but this is what’s amazing about getting sick. This is what’s so good about experiencing pain from physical hardship. This is what’s so fulfilling about being physically broken. We have to submit, turn to the Father, and lay down in His presence. This is the benefit of being sick and in pain.

Join the Conversation, Leave Your Thoughts

• When was the last time you couldn’t work because you were sick or injured?
• How did you pray in that moment of illness and pain?
• When’s the last time you were compelled to crawl up into the Father’s lap?