Happy Sickness by David Harsha
Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows. John chapter
16 verse 33 Affliction comes upon all. None are exempt from
the suffering's incident to our fallen nature. The young, the
old, the rich and the poor alike feel the withering touch of affliction
and of sorrow. Disease invades the strongest
constitution, and affliction prostrates the mightiest energy.
Often those in the prime and vigor of life are laid down on
the bed of sickness, and made to feel that they are dying creatures.
How true it is, that, how frail is humanity, how short is life,
and how full of trouble. The children of God are not exempted
from the afflictions of this life, but it is their blessed
consolation to know that in all their sorrows and sufferings,
they have a caring and divine friend to sympathize with them.
Oh, how often does the blessed Jesus wonderfully manifest His
love to His afflicted ones! How often does He whisper words
of peace and love and consolation in their ears? How often, in
the manifestation of His love, do their souls overflow with
joy, even when their bodies are racked with severe pain? All
the afflictions of the children of God are designed for their
good. They come from a kind and wise Heavenly Father, from a
God of love. and one of their designs is their
purification and sanctification. Afflictions make us fit for glory.
They enable us to obtain a correct view of the emptiness of all
worldly vanities. They tend, through grace, to
fix our souls on Jesus, in whom alone we can find true happiness
and immortal joys. happy sickness. That leads the
soul to Jesus, the only source of blessedness. Afflictions,
then, promote our spiritual welfare and are ordered for our good.
Psalm 119.67 Before I was afflicted I went astray, but now I obey
your word. Psalm 119.71 It was good for
me to be afflicted, so that I might learn your decrees. Psalm 119.75 I know,
O Lord, that your laws are righteous, and in faithfulness you have
afflicted me.