Are You Getting Sick?

For the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart. Hebrews 4:12 nkjv

I feel a sinus infection coming on. Once I feel the symptoms of an achy head, burning throat, or stuffed sinuses, I get my armor on, ready for battle. With a few years under my belt, thankfully, I have gained a little bit of wisdom. I work quickly to try and stop any ailment in its tracks. Taking vitamin C, Airborne, and Zicam, I arm myself to beat it down before it starts. I know just how miserable it is to be sick and I will do everything in my power to not let my enemy advance.

So, why don’t I react the same way when my spiritual health is at risk? Spiritual illnesses such as anger, discontentment, pride,and fear, just like a cold or flu to our physical bodies, cause our spiritual bodies to come to a stop for awhile-holding us back from whatever service the Lord has purposed us for. Just like my achy head and burning throat, there are symptoms to warn us of their coming visit. The infection of anger usually begins with small irritations and annoyances. Discontentment begins with an ungrateful heart. Pride’s symptoms are selfishness, while the symptoms of worry and anxiety can become a full blown illness called fear.

Just as the treatment of vitamin C helps my body to defeat an oncoming infection, the greatest elixir for any spiritual illness is the Word of God. It never ceases to amaze me that when I am suffering from a spiritual illness, how fast these symptoms flee in the face of His word. When I feel symptoms coming on, I fight them by looking up all that God’s word says about that specific ailment. If I am suffering from anxiety I will looking up all that God has to say about them. If I am worrying or anxious, scriptures about anxiety, worry and fear speak straight to my heart, Phil. 4:6a “Do not be anxious for anything…” Isaiah 41:10 “Fear not, for I am with you…” Joshua 1:9 “Be strong and courageous, do not be afraid or discouraged, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.”

Friends, are you suffering from anything today? Do you feel an illness coming on? Protect yourselves with the battle gear that God has given you. His Word is alive and active, sharper than any two-edged sword to defend ourselves from anything that keeps us from feeling and being our best. Take a moment to check your heart for symptoms before they become full blown illnesses. Remember friends, when we get into God’s Word, God’s Word gets into us!

3 Responses to Are You Getting Sick?
  1. Willow
    January 6, 2009 | 7:00 am

    Amazing article! As someone who constantly struggles with fear, I am learning these same lessons — what the beginning of fear looks and feels like and to immediately hit my knees in prayer or go to the Word.

  2. Tracie
    January 6, 2009 | 11:23 am

    Awesome post!

    My schedule has been out of whack for 2 weeks and that affected my prayer time and obiedence to God. Boy, have I been under attack (death in the family, sick dog, postponed “important” family get together, and a hacked checking account). But I finally realized that I wasn’t doing my part and I picked up my bible and spiritual guidance books. Today is a wonderful day, even though I too am getting sick (hopefully it’s just allergies).

    Thank you for posting this.

  3. Frankie
    January 19, 2009 | 9:43 pm

    i really liked this i to am really sick and may need surgery and i get scared but as soon as i read the words of god i feel safe again