This week, sickness has taken up residence in our household, evicting us, so it seems. This adds a layer of difficulty for sure. A road that we are normally privileged to bypass in our movements about.
There are gifts laden in this week of illness, however. I’ve been thinking of some of these.
1. Sickness slows.
Lots of sitting around and laying around. The sickies have been mostly together in one room moaning together but giggling together, too. Our kids have wanted to snuggle non-stop. I’ll take it.
2. Sickness can cultivate dependence on others.
We have needed lots of help. And we have needed to receive it. Everything in our culture pressures us toward independence from God and from others. Everything in our faith pressures us toward dependence on God and on others.
Illness helps you imagine the way your life could be always—carefully and conscientiously dependent. According to Christianity, this is what it means to live the good life. And I want to live the good life.
3. Sickness can lead to prayerfulness.
I have put my hand on my little children’s bony chests and prayed for them more than usual. The Bible is quite clear that stresses and troubles can promote prayerfulness (Philippians 4:6). Though it pains me, I’ll take every chance I can to become as prayerful as possible.