Monday, January 22, 2007
Friendly Advice
I have an incurable auto-immune disease, and God has been merciful in allowing me to continue to function and serve Him with small limitation (though the doctors encourage me that it will get worse). This week I visited one of our dear souls who is critically ill in the hosptial; two days later I was struck down with bronchitis. (My disease and medications leave me with scant immune system.) A dear Christian soul said she would pray for my recovery and suggested that perhaps my compromised immune system is God's way of telling me to leave the ministry.
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6 comments:
Don't you just love those "dear Christians" who offer such satanic advice. Ignore them, my friend, as you continue to do much good for the kingdom.
I have good days and bad days. I am thankful that God is faithful.
I am with Scribe on this one, advice like that, no matter how well intentioned, misses the whole point of 2 Corinthians 12:7-10, "So to keep me from being too elated by the surpassing greatness of the revelations, a thorn was given me in the flesh, a messenger of Satan to harass me, to keep me from being too elated. Three times I pleaded with the Lord about this, that it should leave me. But he said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me. For the sake of Christ, then, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities. For when I am weak, then I am strong."
It is precisely in your weakness, which for you it something that is very obvious, that you show God's strength. It is in your struggle to faithfully proclaim Christ in your weakness, that the power and riches of the gospel are shown to the world. You just show this weakness more visibly than the rest of us do. Keep going and look to God's power and grace to work in you in ways that is would not if you were strong and healthy.
Thank you. May Jesus Christ receive the glory.
I just ran across your blog, and am encouraged by your writing. Keep up the ministry!
Rileysowner--when I read your comment, I smiled. What great advice. Of course, Scripture is such a perfect source of wisdom & encouragement.
Thank you very much. I pray God uses this blog for His Glory. I'm glad to hear from you, and if you're ever in Irvington, NJ, come, worship with us and introduce yourself! God Bless.
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